A restaurant owner in Phuket has called on local authorities to address the shortage of public restrooms after witnessing a tourist defecating on his property on 22 May 2025.
The incident occurred at Sala Loy, a floating restaurant in Rawai subdistrict, Mueang Phuket district, where the owner observed a foreign female tourist defecating near the premises during closing hours. The owner, Pannatat Asawapitakchon, confronted the individual and asked her to clean the area. While she made an attempt, he later had to clean it again himself.
Pannatat took to social media to raise awareness of the lack of adequate public toilet infrastructure in one of Thailand’s busiest tourist destinations. He noted that this was not an isolated incident; similar situations involving urine and feces around his restaurant had occurred before.
In his post, he explained that while Sala Loy allows public use of its facilities during operating hours, the business bears the cost of maintenance without charging visitors. He acknowledged that even non-dining tourists contribute economically through spending, which justifies accommodating them. However, he warned that continued strain on private facilities highlights the area’s lack of preparedness for high tourist traffic.
While not pressing for an immediate solution, Pannatat urged local authorities to consider constructing public restrooms along Rawai Beach. He stressed that addressing this would contribute to long-term improvements in tourist infrastructure.
The post has gained significant attention online, prompting a wave of public support.
