A COMPARATIVE STUDY OF WATER RESOURCES USAGE BY HOUSEHOLDS IN GEORGETOWN-MALAYSIA AND PATTAYA-THAILAND

malaysia and thailand are tropical countries relatively rich in water resources, but both suffer numerouswater problems, chief of which is excessive domestic wastage. a lop-sided approach focusing on watersupply management and neglecting water demand management have caused water problems to escalatein both countries in recent decades due to population explosion, rapid urbanization, industrial expansionand climate change. as the total quantity of available water is finite but demand increasing atgeometrical 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 inmalaysia and pattaya in thailand, both medium sized and major tourist destinations. this papercompares 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 howwomen can manage water via water demand management in addressing water shortages. the paperconcludes that water users need to be involved in a bottom-up approach in a sustained national waterdemand management initiative towards achieving sustainable management of water resources in bothcities.