Thailand is one of the countries hit hardest by the heat wave that has gripped many Asian countries. A tourism official on Koh Phi Phi island recently said that the popular resort island is facing a serious water shortage.
The Koh Phi Phi archipelago off the southwest coast of Thailand attracts hundreds of thousands of visitors each year to experience its pristine beaches and clear blue waters.
Koh Phi Phi, an archipelago of amazing natural beauty in Thailand
Tourists to the island are now telling each other to check whether their accommodation has fresh water. Some have complained that they cannot shower after swimming in the sea because their hotels have run out of water.
Previously, the local tourism organization has repeatedly called for investment in long-term water supply for the Koh Phi Phi archipelago, which lacks reservoirs and infrastructure.
The Koh Phi Phi authorities have discussed transporting water from the mainland if the dry weather continues, but the process has been delayed as officials hope for the rainy season to arrive early in May.
Pearl Island – Koh Phi Phi in Phuket, Thailand
Koh Samui - a very popular tourist island in the Gulf of Thailand - is also experiencing similar hot and dry weather, but local tourism authorities say tourist activities are not affected.
The Koh Phi Phi archipelago, located off the southwest coast of southern Thailand, attracts hundreds of thousands of tourists each year. It became famous after Hollywood came to film the 2000 movie The Beach starring Leonardo DiCaprio.
While El Nino is contributing to the exceptionally warm weather, Asia is warming faster than the global average this year, according to the United Nations World Meteorological Organization. Bangkok also issued a heat warning in late April that high temperatures would affect people's daily lives, with some days feeling as high as 52 degrees Celsius.
