Is Samui being stretched to its limits?

The fact that Samui is in a perpetual state of growth is, on the surface, not only no surprise, but easy to expect. There are a vast number of construction projects underway on the island, and provincial administration chief Vichai Srikwhan has voiced his concern that the number may be simply too high to maintain a sustainable Samui for much longer into the future.

Samui’s population is increasing rapidly, and if all the new properties being built sell out as developers hope, it could cause big problems when the island’s infrastructure and resources are pushed to the maximum. Aside from the people registered on the books, Srikhwan says there is also an estimated 150,000 illegals, or non-registered people on the island.

Aside from stressing the resources of the island, which has already said it could face water and electricity shortages in the next few years, such population density could be harmful to the fragile environment that makes Samui such a desirable place to be in the first place.

He stressed to other provincial officials and members of the local business communities to exercise caution when building, to preserve the scenery and protect the remaining forests on the island.