PATTAYA, Thailand – As visitor numbers continue to rise, Pattaya officials are accelerating plans to secure water supply on Koh Larn, aiming to support both residents and the island’s growing tourism sector.
On April 10, Poramet Ngampichet, Mayor of Pattaya, led a delegation of city executives and council members to inspect the island’s water production system. The visit focused on addressing long-standing water shortages and reducing costs for households and local businesses, many of which depend heavily on tourist activity.
Following the expiration of the concession previously held by East Water Company Limited, Pattaya City has taken over operations of the island’s water supply. At present, desalination facilities can produce around 300 cubic meters of freshwater per day from seawater—sufficient for basic needs, but increasingly strained by rising demand, particularly during peak tourist seasons.
To tackle the issue, city officials are preparing to invite new private-sector investment to significantly expand production capacity to between 1,000 and 3,000 cubic meters per day. The move is expected to ensure a more stable and sustainable water supply, especially as Koh Larn continues to attract both domestic and international visitors.
Officials say the expansion will not only improve reliability but also lower production costs. Water prices, currently exceeding 70 baht per cubic meter, could drop to around 53 baht, easing the financial burden on residents while making it more viable for tourism operators to grow their businesses.
With Koh Larn positioned as one of Pattaya’s most popular island getaways, authorities believe strengthening infrastructure such as water supply is critical to maintaining visitor confidence and supporting long-term tourism growth.
