The Provincial Waterworks Authority warned hotel operators to stay within their expected usage totals as the agency is strictly monitoring water use during the drought.
Speaking at the Thai Hotels Association Eastern Region meeting at Pattaya’s Hotel J Jan. 21, PWA manager Sutat Nutchpan said the Pattaya area draws water from the Nong Klang Dong, Huay Saphan, Mabprachan, Huay Khunjit and Chark Nok reservoirs, all of which are at 60-70 percent capacity.
That amount of water, given no additional rainfall, is projected to be enough to take the area through June. But the government has put in place a master plan to cover usage. While rationing has not been implemented, the PWA does have an idea of how much water government organizations and private companies, including hotels, should be using.
THA President Sanphet Suphabuansathien (left) chairs a meeting with the Provincial Waterworks Authority. PWA manager Sutat Nutchpan (right) has said the PWA will monitor water usage at hotels during the current drought.
Sutat said no hotel had exceeded the plan, but urged hoteliers to remain vigilant and not use more water than expected. The agency is closely watching the sector during the current drought situation, he said.
THA President Sanphet Suphabuansathien said hotels are expected to run at 80-90 percent occupancy during the upcoming Chinese New Year festival, with the number of mainland tourists increasing substantially.
However, he noted, most of the visitors are booked on no-cost, or low-cost tours, meaning they spend little money once arriving in the city. The group had hoped to see a rebound of higher-spending Russian tourists, as much as 5 percent more than last year, but the renewed tumble in the ruble has quashed any hopes of a revival.
One bright spot, he said, has been a resurgence in the South Korean market, with the number of visitors increasing from 2015.
