Lines dry! Water is running out on this popular dream island

Ko Samui - Water is becoming scarce on the Thai dream island of Ko Samui. According to media reports, the reason is a persistent drought - but this is coupled with ever-increasing demand because tourism is booming again after the coronavirus crisis.

The ongoing drought is said to be the reason for the water shortage on Ko Samui.
The ongoing drought is said to be the reason for the water shortage on Ko Samui.  © Carola Frentzen/dpa

The authorities had already announced rationing from July 1 in June: water will only come out of the pipes in the various regions of the island on an alternating and daily basis, according to a table published by the local government. In chat groups, residents complained that their taps had been running dry for days.

According to the authorities, supplies will only last until the end of July at the latest. Numerous reservoirs and waterfalls are at an extremely low level, the news website "The Thaiger" recently reported, speaking of a "serious water crisis".

According to Ratchaporn Poonsawat, chairman of the Ko Samui Tourism Association, hotel operators and other employees in the tourism industry could soon be forced to buy fresh water from private suppliers.

This would lead to an increase in operating costs, which could ultimately affect guests' vacation costs, he said.

Weather unusually hot and dry

Increasing demand is also playing a role, as tourism is booming again after the coronavirus crisis.
Increasing demand is also playing a role, as tourism is booming again after the coronavirus crisis.  © Carola Frentzen/dpa

The association fears negative consequences, especially in the peak season, which is just starting on Ko Samui.

"We've hardly had any water in the office for a few weeks now, where we don't have a tank," British resident Abby, who has lived on the island for several years, told the German Press Agency on Wednesday.

However, most of the resorts and hotels have large tanks, so the supply has been guaranteed so far. "The weather has been unusually hot and very dry for months - even though it rained a little at the weekend," she said.

"But that wasn't nearly enough to solve the problem."