Thailand’s big-city challenges spotlighted as Phuket and Chiang Mai head to polls

Big challenges lie ahead for the winners of Saturday’s local elections in 47 provinces – especially in the key tourism cities of Phuket and Chiang Mai.

Voters will cast ballots on Saturday to select chief executives of their provincial administrative organisations, along with provincial councillors. The successful candidates will be expected to deliver on their election promises – though experts warn they may struggle to meet expectations.

Phuket’s woes

Phuket is officially home to over half a million residents, but this number represents only a fraction of the people on the island at any one time. As an international destination, Phuket hosts about 1.5 million tourists and migrant workers, including foreigners, who are not registered as residents.

Thailand’s largest island is currently grappling with problems of traffic congestion, growing piles of garbage, and recurring natural disasters.

“Persistent traffic problems will sooner or later threaten people’s health and quality of life,” said Chaturong Kongkaew, deputy dean of Prince of Songkla University’s Faculty of Technology and Environment.

The island’s traffic nightmare is polluting the air and impacting the environment, he said.

Vytot Upatising, CEO of Phuket City Development Co Ltd, stated that many of the island’s problems stem from a lack of coordinated information and efforts.

“For example, we could solve the traffic problems if we had enough information to handle traffic planning efficiently,” he said.

The bus service in many areas is inadequate and the fares are too high, he added.

“I urge the Phuket Provincial Administrative Organisation to consider lowering the city bus fare to 15 baht,” Vytot said, arguing this move would ease traffic congestion, reduce road accidents, and curb social inequality.

Chaturong said Phuket’s water quality is also poor, especially compared with other southern tourist cities like Phang Nga and Krabi. The amount of waste generated on the island is also exceeding its incinerator’s capacity by 400 tons a day, he lamented. The excess waste is sent to the landfill.

“If this problem is not properly addressed, waste will eventually spill over into the sea and cause incalculable damage,” the academic warned.

He added that Phuket has been hit by drought, floods and landslides every year since 2014, calling for urgent action from the Phuket Administrative Organisation to combat natural disasters.

“They must maximise efforts within their scope of power. If they need support and help, they can turn to Phuket residents to seek consensus and mobilise resources.”

Dr Keattisak Chottiwongpipat, Phuket’s public health chief, wants the province to upgrade health screenings, noting that cancer and stroke each claim one life per day in Phuket, according to official records.

“Also, six people are diagnosed with diabetes and nine or 10 with hypertension every day,” he said, pointing out that these conditions are largely preventable through diet and exercise.

Turning to road safety, Keattisak said motorcycle riders without helmets accounted for the highest number of traffic deaths in Phuket.

“We also need to do more on this front,” he emphasised.

Phuket’s budget constraints

The central government budget for Phuket has almost doubled over the past three years – from 3.89 billion baht in 2023 to 7.58 billion baht this year.

However, the provincial administrative organisation has a far lower budget of 1.47 billion baht, funded by the central government, state subsidies, and local tax revenue.

Phuket hotels generated over 238 million baht in tax income last year – the highest of any province in the country.

“The budget for the Phuket PAO is small considering the size of the population under its care,” said Stithorn Thananithichot, who heads the Office of Innovation for Democracy at King Prajadhipok's Institute.

Phuket’s provincial administration has allocated 374 million baht for public health, 302 million baht for education, 184 million baht to general administration, and 152 million baht for religion, culture and recreation this year, Rocket Media Lab reports.

Phuket’s main roads and infrastructure are covered by the central government budget.

Stithorn urged greater budget efficiency by minimising overlaps and integrating efforts at the national, provincial, and local levels.

Policies of candidates

Three candidates are vying for the post of Phuket PAO chief in Saturday’s election – independent Rewat Areerob, Dr Lersak Leenanithikul (People’s Party), and Sritep Udomlap (Thai Pakdee Party).

Former Phuket PAO chief executive Rewat and Lersak are considered the frontrunners.

Rewat’s campaign prioritises developing Phuket as a wellness destination, environmental conservation and waste management, and public transport upgrades.

Lersak’s 10-point platform focuses on smart school buses, trilingual and sports schools, real-life curriculums, improved cancer screening, upgrades for local hospitals and clinics, support for bedridden elderly people, fairer income distribution for communities; water-management solutions, and public safety.

Chiang Mai’s agenda

Citizen groups in Chiang Mai have identified a raft of issues they want their new PAO chief executive to address. Topping the agenda are a smog crackdown, respect for diversity, better healthcare and labour conditions, the green economy, creative tourism, pushing world-heritage status for Chiang Mai, mobility, and decentralisation.

“More financial and human resources must be pumped into anti-smog efforts,” said Prissana Promma of the anti-pollution network Chiang Mai Breathe Council.

Jirakorn Surawong, secretary of Chiang Mai’s Tourism Council, is urging the province to adopt electric buses and promote pedestrian and cycling-friendly development.

“We hope that Chiang Mai can be transformed into a low-carbon city,” said Jirakorn, a member of the We Green environmental network.

Election promises

The winner of Chiang Mai’s PAO chief election will control an annual budget of 2.16 billion baht – most of which will be spent on road construction.

Three candidates are vying for the post – Pichai Lerpongadisorn (Pheu Thai), Phan-at Chairat (People’s Party), and independent Maj-General Phanom Sripued.

Pichai, the previous incumbent, has vowed to spend more time and budget on tackling the city’s chronic smog problem while constructing more roads to ease traffic congestion. His main rival, Phan-at, has promised to boost locals’ quality of life by improving infrastructure, skills development, and schools.

Stithorn has criticised his opponents’ election policies as lacking in detail and reflecting a national rather than local agenda.

“Chiang Mai’s problems are complex. Its provincial administration must understand local woes and address them comprehensively,” he said.

Chiang Mai is home to 1.8 million registered residents, though its population soars above 2 million when counting migrant workers and tourists.