The uncleanliness and poor water quality on Phuket’s beaches are leaving tourists with a bad impression of the island, according to results of a survey conducted by Prince of Songkla University (PSU) revealed at their Phuket Campus last week.
Researchers collected feedback from 1,624 participants on Phuket’s beaches including tourists, village headmen, students, and private business owners in the area. The data was collected between Oct. of 2016 and Sept of 2017,” said Dr. Chantinee Boonchai, who led the public announcement
Dr. Chatinee is a lecturer at PSU and a member of Andaman Environment and Natural Disaster Research Center. She added, “The main purpose of this research is to obtain information as the foundation strives to support the beach management and give officials in Phuket direction. The research is also for the community to unite and take action to preserve the environment that surrounds their lives.”
According to the survey, foreign tourists’ priority is to see a natural beach without buildings. Their second priority is they want to see beaches that are clean without trash.
Respondents also voted that, with better beach management,the water quality and beach cleanliness could be improved. This is the result of asking 400 foreign tourists and 400 Thai tourists.
Also in response to a survey of hundreds of foreign and Thai tourists, foreign tourists gave Patong, Kata, and Karon beaches as their top choices, while Thai tourists preferred to visit Kata and Nai Yang beaches.
Story: The Phuket News
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