The potential of water reuse applications to mitigate water shortages in Koh Lan, Thailand's urban tourism destination | |
| Author | Kawazoe, Konomi |
| Call Number | AIT Thesis no.UI-25-02 |
| Subject(s) | Water consumption--Thailand Water-supply--Thailand Water reuse--Thailand Sustainable tourism--Thailand |
| Note | A thesis submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Science in Urban Innovation and Sustainability |
| Publisher | Asian Institute of Technology |
| Abstract | Water scarcity has is a growing global concern, particularly on islands where natural freshwater resources are limited. This issue is intensified in tourism-dependent areas like Koh Lan, eastern Thailand. Although the environmental impact of tourism and the benefits of water reuse have been explored, their effects on water shortages and the volume of reusable water remain underexplored. This study therefore investigates the impact of freshwater use by the tourism industry and the potential of implementing water reuse systems as a solution to mitigate water scarcity in the case of Koh Lan. The research employs both qualitative and quantitative methods as approaches of the study.Data was collected through key informant interviews with the public sector and private water suppliers and questionnaire surveys with 31 enterprises in the tourism sector on Koh Lan, supplemented by a detailed review of secondary sources such as reports, academic literature, and meteorological data. Analytical methods include regression analysis, descriptive statistics, spatial analysis, and qualitative content analysis. Findings show that water price fluctuations correlate with tourism seasonality and rainfall, with tourism accounting for approximately 90% of freshwater demand. Greywater reuse has significant potential to address water scarcity, with the capacity to meet 28% of total demand and all residential non-potable needs. While technical and social barriers persist, improving treatment quality and public trust are key to support sustainable water management. The study recommends integrating greywater recycled into new hotels and improving public awareness campaigns. This study contributes to evidence-based policymaking, infrastructure planning, and adaptive water management in tourism-reliant island communities. Future research should include the mainland in the scope as well as compare across other small, tourism-dependent islands to generalize the findings and assess the long-term viability of water reuse solutions in similar contexts. |
| Year | 2025 |
| Type | Thesis |
| School | School of Environment, Resources, and Development |
| Department | Department of Development and Sustainability (DDS) |
| Academic Program/FoS | Urban Innovation and Sustainability (UIS) |
| Chairperson(s) | Vilas Nitivattananon |
| Examination Committee(s) | Tsusaka, Takuji W.;Pramanik, Malay |
| Scholarship Donor(s) | AIT scholarship |
| Degree | Thesis (M. Sc.) - Asian Institute of Technology, 2025 |