Pattaya, Thailand
Mr. Poramese Ngampichet, Mayor of Pattaya City, together with Mr. Manoch Nongyai and Mr. Damrongkiat Pinijkan, Deputy Mayors of Pattaya, the Mayor’s secretarial team, the Vice President of the Pattaya City Council, Pattaya City Council members for District 3, the Assistant Secretary to the Council President, and the Deputy City Clerk, visited Koh Larn to inspect the seawater desalination water production system. The purpose was to tackle the water shortage problem and reduce expenses for local residents and business operators in the area. Relevant officials joined the visit and provided detailed information.
Mayor Beer, his nickname, revealed that after the concession of East Water Company expired, Pattaya City took over the direct management of the water production system. Currently, the system can produce approximately 300 cubic meters of freshwater from seawater per day, which is sufficient for basic needs but cannot fully support the continuously increasing demand.
To solve this issue, Pattaya City plans to invite new private operators to invest in expanding the seawater desalination capacity to between 1,000 and 3,000 cubic meters per day in the future. This expansion is expected to ensure a more adequate and sustainable water supply for Koh Larn.
In addition, increasing production capacity will significantly reduce production costs. It is anticipated that the water tariff for residents will start at around 53 baht per cubic meter, down from more than 70 baht previously. This reduction will greatly ease the financial burden on local people, while private businesses and operators will also benefit from more reasonable service rates.
The Mayor added that the city is currently in the process of drafting the Terms of Reference (TOR) for selecting a new contractor. The process is expected to be completed within one year, as the feasibility study conducted in cooperation with Kasetsart University has made significant progress. Once the TOR is ready, the selection process and legal review by the Office of the Attorney General will follow to ensure transparency and full compliance with the law.
In the meantime, while waiting for the capacity expansion, Pattaya City continues to produce 300 cubic meters of desalinated water per day. During the dry season, the city has consistently provided water support to residents on Koh Larn to alleviate difficulties caused by water shortages.
Once the expansion plan is successfully implemented, Koh Larn will have a sufficient water supply system to meet the needs of both residents and the business sector, covering most areas of the island. This will help promote tourism and improve the long-term quality of life for Koh Larn residents.
News: Miss Kwanjai Sueatrong
Photos: Miss Chinanang Chumchuea
Public Relations Section, Administrative Division
Pattaya City Tourism and Sports Office
