Residents living beside the waste site say the stench from decomposing organic waste has become unbearable and is increasingly linked to respiratory illnesses, skin conditions and a rise in cancer cases in the community.
Phuket MP Chalermpong Saengdee told a meeting on Friday (Dec 12) chaired by Governor Nirat Phongsitthaworn that organic waste, which makes up about 60% of all garbage at Saphan Hin, is the main source of the odour.
He said residents are already suffering the consequences, noting that several people are battling cancer and allergies, with four cancer-related deaths reported in the community over the past two months.
MP Chalermpong warned that the existing incinerator is incapable of handling the volume of waste generated, allowing rubbish to accumulate unchecked. During rainfall, polluted runoff and odours are carried into nearby residential areas, further worsening living conditions.
A local village headman described the situation as critical, saying garbage has piled up “like a mountain”. He said Phuket produces about 1,300 tonnes of waste per day, but the incinerator can process only around 700 tonnes, leaving hundreds of tonnes to spill into surrounding areas.
Last week, Phuket City Mayor Supachok La-ongphet warned Governor Nirat Phongsitthaworn that waste generation could reach 1,400-1,500 tonnes a day in the coming weeks, with organic waste accounting for much of the increase.
However, he said the centre’s incinerator can process only 500 tonnes a day, forcing the remainder into landfills, which he said was becoming increasingly difficult to manage.
MP Chalermpong on Friday urged local administrative organisations to take immediate action, stressing that residents cannot wait until a new incinerator, scheduled for completion in 2026.
He said people are already suffering from breathing difficulties and skin disorders, yet local authorities currently lack the legal authority to conduct widespread health checkups on their own.
He proposed accelerating solutions to reduce organic waste, such as converting it into fertiliser or energy, but said the existing eight-day composting process is far too slow to address the scale of the crisis. He also highlighted secondary impacts, including heavy traffic from garbage trucks, constant foul smells and overturned trucks spilling waste onto public roads.
At the meeting. the Phuket Public Health Office (PPHO) confirmed that health screening can be carried out using funds allocated by Wichit Municipality. Initial screening costs about B300 for an X-ray, with further examinations depending on symptoms. More serious cases may require referral to specialists at Vachira Phuket Hospital.
Governor Nirat called the meeting after formal complaints were lodged by residents of the Saphan Hin community, where about 1,100 people live adjacent to the waste site.
Residents said the smell had intensified, particularly between 3am and 4am, prompting them to file a complaint with the Damrongtham Center (Complaint No. 9912569).
Their demands include comprehensive health screening, consideration of relocating waste disposal operations, and compensation from the Electricity Development Fund.
Governor Nirat acknowledged the severity of the situation, describing health screening as an urgent priority. He instructed the PPHO, Phuket City Municipality and the Electricity Development Fund to jointly cover initial health checkup costs of about B1,500 per person. Screening will begin with 50 high-risk residents before expanding to the remaining 1,000 people in the area. Anyone found to have health issues will be referred directly to the PPHO for treatment.
He also ordered Phuket City Municipality to urgently improve waste sorting, explore biogas technology to ease pressure on the incinerator, and continue reviewing potential new waste disposal sites.
Municipal officials admitted the landfill is now in a state of crisis. Immediate measures include upgrading garbage trucks to prevent leaks and using microorganisms to reduce odours. The municipality is awaiting test results from Rajamangala University of Technology Srivijaya to determine which microorganisms are safe and effective.
Local representatives welcomed the province’s intervention, saying the meeting offered renewed hope after years of health fears and environmental suffering.
Governor Nirat instructed all relevant agencies to form a joint action plan covering public health, environmental management and community assistance. Teams from the PPHO, Phuket Natural Resources and Environment Office, Phuket City Municipality, Wichit Municipality and other agencies were ordered to inspect the site immediately, assess the risks and provide urgent support.
“All agencies must work together to reduce public suffering and deliver both immediate relief and long-term solutions,” the Governor said.