Koh Phangan, a picturesque Thai island renowned for its vibrant Full Moon Party, is facing a growing environmental crisis that threatens its once-pristine allure. The island, famous for attracting partygoers from around the world, has become a symbol of unchecked tourism, with its beaches and waters now suffering from severe degradation. The recent viral video shared by travel content creator Grant Barnes has brought the island's dire situation to the forefront, shocking many with its disturbing revelations.
In the film, Barnes describes the island's waters as "filthy," recommending visitors to avoid swimming despite the allegedly enticing circumstances. His principal concern? Tourists, usually intoxicated on alcohol and drugs, openly defecate and urinate in the sea. "The water may look appealing, but it's far from clean," Barnes said, emphasising the absence of adequate sanitation. The island's sewage system, which struggles to handle the increased number of people during the Full Moon Party, has resulted in untreated rubbish being discharged directly into the ocean, creating poor water quality and harm to marine life, particularly coral reefs.
Barnes' video soon gained momentum on social media, resulting in a heated dispute among viewers. Many people were outraged by the behaviour of certain tourists, with one commentator saying, "This is heartbreaking." "We must hold tourists responsible for their actions!" Another commenter shifted the blame to local governments, seeking increased control and improved infrastructure. "Where's the government in all of this? "They must step up," they wrote. Others, saddened by the island's degradation, stated, "Koh Phangan used to be pure. "Now it's just a garbage dump."
However, some backed Koh Phangan's tourism board, recognising the difficulty of handling the massive number of tourists. "Managing so many visitors is not an easy task," one user noted. Several others minimised the issue, claiming that pollution and neglect are normal in most prominent tourist destinations. Read More
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