Flat tyre, carelessness blamed for filthy Phuket pier

PHUKET: Officials are blaming a garbage truck with a flat tyre and boat operators’ carelessness for the piles of rubbish and spilled oil spotted on Chalong Pier yesterday.

Photos sent to the Phuket Gazette by a reader – showing dozens of garbage bags, bottles and puddles of oil along the pier – were forwarded to the Phuket Provincial Administration Organization (PPAO), which is responsible for the area.

“Normally, the trash is picked up at about 4am before tourists arrive,” said PPAO officer Prasit Yotharak, who is in charge of Chalong Pier. “However, the truck had a flat. We are sorry for the dirty conditions. I will go with officers this afternoon to see if the area has been cleaned and the garbage has been picked up yet.”

Mr Prasit noted that the oils stains were caused by boat operators not being careful when transporting waste oil from their boat to oil drums at the pier.

“We will speak with boat operators again about the issue. However, for a long-term solution, we will meet with the Phuket Marine Office to see what action we can take,” Mr Prasit said.

— Kongleaphy Keam