Participatory Planning As Environmental Adult Education: A Case Study of Local Environmental Governance in Thailand

Abstract

Accelerated by a new constitution, democratization and government decentralization in Thailand have brought new challenges and opportunities for environmental education. This article explores the ways in which an environmental adult education model was used in southern Thailand to generate knowledge and action to address local environmental issues. The model illustrates the roles of respect for local culture and natural settings, the integration of local knowledge, and the development of collaborative problem-solving strategies in building environmental management frameworks at the local authority level in Thailand. The success of workshops based on this model points not only to the need for improved financial and technical support for local councils but also for a major capacity building program so that local authorities can plan and facilitate their own participatory planning workshops.