چكيده لاتين :
Malaysia and Thailand are tropical countries relatively rich in water resources, but both suffer numerous
water problems, chief of which is excessive domestic wastage. A lop-sided approach focusing on water
supply management and neglecting water demand management have caused water problems to escalate
in both countries in recent decades due to population explosion, rapid urbanization, industrial expansion
and climate change. As the total quantity of available water is finite but demand increasing at
geometrical rates, Malaysia and Thailand are facing water problems which have severe impacts,
particularly on women. This study compares the main water issues faced by two cities, Georgetown in
Malaysia and Pattaya in Thailand, both medium sized and major tourist destinations. This paper
compares various water indicators for both cities, water use characteristics of consumers, and consumers’
perception and willingness to pay. It also attempts to highlight the role of gender, documenting how
women can manage water via water demand management in addressing water shortages. The paper
concludes that water users need to be involved in a bottom-up approach in a sustained national water
demand management initiative towards achieving sustainable management of water resources in both
cities.