Abstract:
The purposes of the study were to study the present situation, problems, as well as the current solid waste management of Phuket, and to suggest the strategies of solid waste management in Phuket more efficiently. This study employed both qualitative and quantitative designs. The study was conducted in three stages: Stage 1) the researcher studied the current situation of solid waste management in Phuket by analyzing relevant documents and using questionnaires to ask for the opinions of the residents in Phuket; Stage 2) the researcher created new strategies for effective of solid waste management by using an in-depth interview technique. The main informants in this stage consisted of expert, and representatives from organizations involved in soled waste management. The collected data was then analyzed by using a SWOT analysis and the results were used for the first draft of the solid waste management in Phuket; Stage 3) the researcher organized a civil society forum comprised of the stakeholders from various units to look at the draft of the soled waste management, and also asked the experts in this area from both local and national levels to assess the presented management strategies. The results of the study revealed that: 1. The amount of garbage in Phuket has increased tremendously in step with the increasing number of tourists every year. Currently, it was found that Phuket has a limited potential to manage its garbage properly. The island currently has insufficient numbers of incinerators, and could only dispose of 250 tons of garbage per day. Moreover, Phuket does not have enough space for landfills to bury a large number of leftover garbage. However, the problem of solid waste management cannot be solved efficiently unless Phuket and realizes the origin of the problem. 2. Most of the residents in Phuket did not sort their garbage properly before disposal. Most of the waste from Phuket households were fresh and organic garbage which affected the environment, and caused the problem of garbage disposal on this Island. 3. The strategies of solid waste management in Phuket presented by the researcher were as follows: 1) building and awareness of the residents in sorting the garbage before disposal 2) setting up a learning center about garbage disposal in Phuket 3) encouraging participation among various units in garbage disposal 4) establishing a model area in Phuket for garbage disposal 5) creating innovation for garbage disposal 6) developing legislation concerning garbage disposal for economic growth.