Phuket City Suspends Waste Disposal Services Amid Landfill Crisis
Phuket City has indefinitely suspended waste intake at its municipal landfill following a critical overflow, leading to traffic disruptions and illegal dumping.
On November 8, 2026, the Phuket City Municipality announced an indefinite suspension of waste disposal services at its municipal landfill facility. This decision follows a critical overflow of waste, marking the seventh time the site has reached capacity. According to Khaosod Online Thailand, the facility is currently unable to process incoming waste, prompting the municipality to hire additional machinery to reorganize the site. The situation escalated when several waste collection trucks, frustrated by long wait times, dumped their loads directly onto the access road leading to the landfill. This illegal dumping has obstructed traffic and hindered the operations of other vehicles attempting to reach the site. Phuket City Mayor Suphachok La-ongphet stated that the suspension is necessary to allow for site improvements and to coordinate with local administrative organizations and contractors regarding systematic waste management. For residents and visitors, this disruption may lead to delays in local waste collection services across the island. It remains to be confirmed when the facility will resume normal operations, as the municipality has not provided a specific timeline for reopening. Authorities are currently working to resolve the congestion and establish a more sustainable management plan for the site.
