Chapter 10. Access to Environmental Justice and Public Participation in Thailand

Abstract

Thailand has for a long time faced many environmental problems, especially in terms of degradation of natural resources and pollution. This chapter intends to explain public participation in environmental management in Thailand by considering the concept of public participation, historical events, legal framework and factors affecting public participation. Public participation gateways can be classified into legal and informal methods. In Thailand, many groups of institutions have to coordinate with each other in order to conserve natural resources, the environment and biodiversity. The Public Hearing Regulation 1996 was enacted by the Secretariat Office of the Prime Minister in order to act as a guideline for arranging public hearing activities. The Hin Krud case study is a typical example of how, in the Thai experience, public participation in environmental management has failed to produce stakeholder satisfaction, and indeed has even increased conflict. Keywords: environmental management; Hin Krud case study; public participation; Thailand