Phuket landfill causing a big stink

PHUKET: Fed up with the stench emanating from a nearby landfill, residents of Saphan Hin have put up banners and signs and are formally complaining to the city government about the foul odor.

Phuket City Municipality Chief Administration Officer Thawatchai Tongmang has assured residents that the city is well aware of the problem and is working hard to resolve it.

The reason for the stench is that the nearby landfill is being expanded to increase its capacity to accept more waste.

Work has left some of the garbage exposed and rainfall has exacerbated the problem, creating a considerable stench.

“The Municipality is not taking this problem lightly. We are working on solutions including the use of industrial deodorants that should reduce the stench to a more moderate level,” Mr Thawatchai said.

The landfill must be expanded to accommodate more waste because the nearby waste incinerator has been out of service for about one month for maintenance and repairs.

The facility has a design capacity of 250 tonnes per day, while the island produces about 500 tonnes per day, all of which must be sent to the incineration plant.

Phuket City Mayor Somjai Suwansupana apologized for the problem and asked residents for patience.

As a long-term solution, the city is working with a private firm to build a second incineration plant at Saphan Hin in the same area that will be capable of burning up to 600 tonnes daily. The plant is scheduled to open in October, 2010, she said.