“The crematorium is scheduled to reopen on Feb 16, 2026, or before the deadline,” Chulajira Thirachitkul, Director of the Public Health and Environment Division at Patong Municipality said.
“The crematorium ceiling and lighting are cracked, the ceiling has sunk, and a new roof is needed,” Ms Chulajira told The Phuket News.
“The chimney tip is also damaged, which allows water to enter. When moisture meets high heat, it can cause further cracking, so at the moment we cannot perform two cremations in succession.”
Patong Municipality has allocated a budget of B300,000 for the repairs, which will be carried out by a specialist crematorium construction company from Nakhon Pathom. “There are no skilled crematorium technicians available in the southern region,” Ms Chulajira explained.
She said the 90-day repair contract began on Nov 18, with workers staying on-site to ensure steady progress.
“We will expedite the work as much as possible, but the timeframe allows for factors beyond our control, such as rain,” she added. “If it rains, scaffolding for chimney repairs cannot be erected. The schedule was set to prevent the contractor from being fined for weather delays.”
The renovation will include repairing the gable, installing a new roof, replacing slippery floor tiles, and upgrading crematorium equipment.
“The budget was calculated by the Engineering Office of Patong Municipality, and the process is fully transparent. Only qualified companies are authorised to handle this kind of work,” Ms Chulajira said.
During the closure, families will need to use crematoriums outside Patong. “As a temporary measure, we’ve installed anti-slip mats and laid temporary paving to make it safer for people carrying bodies,” she said. “We are helping families arrange cremations in Kathu first.”
Ms Chulajira acknowledged the inconvenience but emphasised that safety comes first. “It’s like repairing a bridge ‒ the temporary disruption is necessary to prevent serious accidents in the future,” she said. “The 90-day period ensures the work is done safely and to standard.”