Rayong Province Research Articles

Education and Skill Mismatches in Maptaphut Industrial Estate, Thailand

This paper examines educational and skill mismatches by using primary data from Maptaphut Industrial Estate, Rayong Province, Thailand, conducted from 226 respondents. Ordinary least squares (OLS) and unconditional quantile (UQR) regressions are used to examine the mismatches on earnings. The empirical findings are as follows: (1) returns to education of high income workers are larger than average income workers; (2) education mismatches affect earnings, such that over-education is statistically significant, whereas under-education is not significant, for both the OLS and UQR estimates; (3) UQR provides more information on size of the over-education to the returns on schooling; (4) specific training for some job positions also indicates educational and skill mismatches; and (5) firms should invest in training for workers to reduce weaknesses in educational mismatches.

Risk factors associated with white spot syndrome virus outbreaks in marine shrimp farms in Rayong Province, Thailand.

The purpose of this study was to determine risk factors for white spot disease (WSD) in Rayong, Thailand. A study was conducted from October 2014 to March 2015 to identify potential farm-level risk factors using a validated questionnaire. We completed 1 questionnaire for each farm; a total of 38 questionnaires from the case farms and 127 questionnaires from the control farms were collected. The results showed that the presence of WSD in previous crops and the use of seawater were risk factors (p < 0.01), indicating that the environment plays an important role in WSD outbreaks in Rayong. Good management practices for pond preparation and other mitigation steps should be part of a control measure program for WSD in this region.

Factors influencing the well-being of small-scale fishers in the Gulf of Thailand

This paper examines factors influencing well-being among small-scale fishers in the Gulf of Thailand. 632 small-scale fishers were interviewed at 21 fish landing areas along the coast of Rayong Province. Data concerning respondents’ background information, perception of job satisfaction, resilience, conservation beliefs, environmental ethics, well-being and landing place context were collected. Multivariate statistical analyses of these variables are used to assess factors influencing perceptions of well-being (environmental and individual well-being components). The results demonstrate that two components of job satisfaction Basic Needs and Self-actualization are two significant variables affecting both Environmental and Individual well-being. Fishers living in areas with industrial pollution or in major urban communities are less satisfied with the environment. Similarly, fishers who are concerned about the importance of the environment and members of a fishery association at the province level have lower levels of Environmental well-being. The study also found that, fishers who feel they have the ability to get work elsewhere or who manifest a higher level of resilience are happier with their lives than those with lower resilience. An important aspect of fisheries social impact assessment concerning proposed changes, management or technological, is the impact on well-being. The findings of this study offer several practical findings that, if applied, will contribute to sustainability of fisheries in Thailand and similar locations.

Seasonal Precipitation Bias Correction of GCM Outputs for Thailand: Rayong Province Region

Global Climate Models (GCMs) are sources of future simulated climate grid data. Their coarse resolution outputs are restricted to use for climate change impact analysis, though they require downscaling before application at fine scale. Using dynamical downscaling for coarse resolution GCM outputs requires large scale computation that may not be practicable for the daily climate data and spatial grid data of various GCM models; however the effectiveness of downscaling can be improved by statistical downscaling of GCM at fine scale. This study performed bias correction based on seasonal climate characteristics using statistical downscaling of daily precipitation data of six GCM models for Rayong Province in eastern coastal Thailand, selected from a total of 23 GCM models, and compared to GPCP past data covers Thailand region from 1981 to 2000 using score criteria of spatial correlation and RMSE method. Since the climate of Thailand is directly affected by Southern Local Wind, Tropical Monsoon, and Southern West Monsoon, the climate of Rayong Province can be divided into 3 seasons: dry season (Dec to Feb), first rainy season (Mar to Jul) and second rainy season (Aug to Nov) respectively. Seasonal bias correction was performed on monthly precipitation data classified by daily precipitation data based on seasonal types, i.e. rainless day, normal rainy day, and extreme rainy day. The seasonal bias correction of monthly downscaled precipitation data from the selected GCM outputs was expressed as best fit for the realistic parameter of monthly observed rainfall data at the considered station. The results of this study reveal that seasonal bias correction can effectively compensate for unrealistic precipitation data and increase the reliability of precipitation data from GCM outputs to accurately reflect the precipitation characteristics of Thailand.

Environmental conflict management: A case study of the thermal coal-fired power plant project in Rayong province

Environmental conflict management: A case study of the thermal coal-fired power plant project in Rayong province

Evaluating determinants of rural Villagers’ engagement in conservation and waste management behaviors based on integrated conceptual framework of Pro-environmental behavior

This study aims to evaluate determinants of villagers’ engagement in pro-environmental behavior (PEB), including ecological conservation behavior (ECB) and waste management behavior (WMB). An integrated exploratory model representing the proposed relationship between villagers’ engagement in ECB/WMB and their determinants was created based on the integration of the theory of planned behavior (TPB), the Stern’s value belief norm (VBN) theory, environmental education and psychosocial characteristic perspectives. The potential predictors included a community norm, environmental knowledge, sense of obligation and self-efficacy, life satisfaction, place attachment, environmental worldview, perceived local environmental values, and psychosocial characteristics. Questionnaire surveys with villagers residing in the Nernkhor sub-district, Rayong province, Thailand, were conducted. The results of multiple regression analyses revealed that individuals’ engagement in ECB and WMB could be predicted by a different set of predictors. ECB was well predicted by self-efficacy, place identity, and perceived environmental values; whereas, WMB was well predicted by community norm, gender, age, knowledge related to action strategies, and self-efficacy. Therefore, different environmental strategies should be constructed to enhance the engagement of villagers in pro-environmental behaviors.

The Establishment of a Community-based Mangrove Forest Management Plan: Lessons Learned from Mangrove Forest Conservation in the Nernkhor Sub-district, Rayong Province, Thailand

This study aims to investigate key elements of community-based ecological management (CBEM) in a rural area with plentiful mangrove resources. The investigated elements of CBEM include stakeholders’ benefits from sharing ecosystems services provided by themangrove forests, stakeholders’ roles in ecological conservation, and their participation in decision-making processes at each stage of the ecological management process. Additionally, the study intends to reveal factors that determine the success of CBEMcreation processes, including agenda setting, matching, restructuring, clarifying, and the routinizing stage. Semi-structured interviews and group discussions were conducted with relevant stakeholders, such as community leaders, typical villagers, fishermen, and local businessmen residing in the Nernkhor Sub-district of the Rayong Province, Thailand. The results of content analyses demonstrated that the success of CBEM creation processes in the Nernkhor Sub-district was related, to a great extent, to stakeholders’ awareness of ecological values, the perceived legitimacy of ecological resource management efforts, and active communication among stakeholders. In addition, it was found that CBEM was successfully implemented due to stakeholders’ perceptions of political equity, cost-sharing for conservation activities and the socioeconomic benefits of sharing the ecosystem services provided by the mangrove forest.

Rural Villagers’ Quality of Life Improvement by Economic Self-Reliance Practices and Trust in the Philosophy of Sufficiency Economy

The concept of economic self-reliance, widely known by Thai people as the philosophy of sufficiency economy, has been widely promoted in rural Thai societies. By practicing this philosophy, it is expected that the citizens’ quality of life and local environments could be sustainably improved. This study aims to explore the contribution of the community practices of the sufficiency economy philosophy to rural villagers’ quality of life improvement, and to investigate potential factors that determine the trust of villagers in the philosophy. With the purpose to propose strategies which could enhance trust and promote villagers’ practices of the philosophy, the study investigated influences of three relevant factors on trust towards the philosophy. Those factors included factors related to cognitive-based trust, factors related to emotional-based trust, and factors related to demographic characteristics. Questionnaire surveys and in-depth interviews with community leaders and local villagers were conducted in the Ban Jamrung community, in Thailand’s Rayong Province. The results of the statistical analysis revealed that the residents who applied the sufficiency economy philosophy in their daily lives experienced a relatively better quality of life. Additionally, it was found that trust in the philosophy could be predicted more by rational factors than by emotional factors. These findings could be utilized to develop strategies to maintain and enhance the trust of the people in the philosophy of sufficiency economy.

Nocardia rayongensis sp. nov., isolated from Thai peat swamp forest soil.

An actinomycete strain, RY45-3T, isolated from a peat swamp forest soil in Rayong Province, Thailand, was characterized using a polyphasic approach. The strain belonged to the genus Nocardia on the basis of morphological, physiological, biochemical and chemotaxonomic properties. Cell-wall peptidoglycan contained meso-diaminopimelic acid. The N-acyl group of muramic acid in the cell wall was glycolyl type. The diagnostic sugars in whole-cell hydrolysates were galactose and arabinose. MK-8 (H4ω-cycl) was the major menaquinone. The major fatty acids were C16 : 0 and C18 : 1ω9c. The major polar lipids were diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylethanolamine, phosphatidylinositol and phosphatidylinositol mannosides. The genomic DNA G+C content was 71 mol%. On the basis of 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity analysis, strain RY45-3T was closely related to Nocardia jiangxiensis JCM 12861T (98.9 %), Nocardia nova JCM 6044T (98.8 %) and Nocardia pseudobrasiliensis JCM 9894T (98.6 %). The strain showed low levels of DNA-DNA relatedness with N. jiangxiensis JCM 12861T, N. nova JCM 6044T and N. pseudobrasiliensis JCM 9894T (range from 3.6 to 55.3 %). On the basis of the phenotypic characteristics and the results mentioned, this strain could be differentiated from closely related type strains and represents a novel species of the genus Nocardia, for which the name Nocardia rayongensis sp. nov. (type strain RY45-3T = JCM 19832T = TISTR 2213T = PCU 334T) is proposed.

5. タイ国ラヨーンにおける定置網導入によるエリアケイパビリティーの向上

5. タイ国ラヨーンにおける定置網導入によるエリアケイパビリティーの向上

Streptomyces actinomycinicus sp. nov., isolated from soil of a peat swamp forest.

A novel actinomycete, strain RCU-197T, was isolated from soil of a peat swamp forest in Rayong Province, Thailand. Using a polyphasic approach, the strain was classified in the genus Streptomyces. It contained ll-diaminopimelic acid in the cell-wall peptidoglycan. No diagnostic sugars were detected in whole-cell hydrolysates and there was a lack of mycolic acids. The major menaquinones were MK-9(H6) and MK-9(H8). The predominant cellular fatty acids were iso-C14 : 0, iso-C15 : 0, anteiso-C15 : 0 and iso-C16 : 0. The polar lipids profile consisted of diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylethanolamine, phosphatidylinositol, phosphatidylglycerol and phosphatidylinositol mannoside, an unknown aminolipid and two unknown phospholipids. Phylogenetic analysis of 16S rRNA gene sequences showed the strain formed distinct clade within the genus Streptomyces and was closely related to Streptomyces echinatus NBRC 12763T (98.78 % 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity). According to the polyphasic approach as well as DNA-DNA relatedness, the strain could be clearly differentiated from closely related species and represents a novel species of the genus Streptomyces, for which the name Streptomyces actinomycinicus sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is RCU-197T ( = JCM 30864T = TISTR 2208T = PCU 342T).

Enhanced PM10 bounded PAHs from shipping emissions

Earlier studies have highlighted the importance of maritime transport as a main contributor of air pollutants in port area. The authors intended to investigate the effects of shipping emissions on the enhancement of PM10 bounded polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and mutagenic substances in an industrial area of Rayong province, Thailand. Daily PM10 speciation data across two air quality observatory sites in Thailand during 2010–2013 were collected. Diagnostic binary ratios of PAH congeners, analysis of variances (ANOVA), and principal component analysis (PCA) were employed to evaluate the enhanced genotoxicity of PM10 during the docking period. Significant increase of PAHs and mutagenic index (MI) of PM10 were observed during the docking period in both sampling sites. Although stationary sources like coal combustions from power plants and vehicular exhausts from motorway can play a great role in enhancing PAH concentrations, regulating shipping emissions from diesel engine in the port area like Rayong is predominantly crucial.

Development of mapping techniques for small seagrass meadows: a case study of &lt;i&gt;Zostera marina&lt;/i&gt; and &lt;i&gt;Halodule pinifolia&lt;/i&gt;

The present research seeks an appropriate method of monitoring both submerged and exposed seagrasses. A seagrass mapping technique was developed using combination data sets from satellite images, digital maps, SONAR imagery and handheld-GPS data collected from seagrass meadows (Zostera marina) at Shinkawa–Kasugagawa estuary, the Seto Inland Sea, Japan, in September 2011. The entire coverage area of 123,000 m2 was calculated from 638 captured SONAR images. Zostera meadows were observed at water depths of 1.6–5.0 m, over sandy sediments. Zostera was not found at water depths greater than 5.0 m, where the sediments are muddy. The canopy height of Z. marina was estimated to vary between 14 and 87 cm. Additional mapping of intertidal seagrass meadows of Halodule pinifolia was also carried out in Rayong Province, Thailand, by GPS tracking during April 2009 and December 2010. Coverage areas varied between 33,498 and 76,207 m2, and the highest coverage area was found in April 2009. The present study demonstrates that the entire area of both submerged and exposed seagrass meadows can be calculated by simple methods in a short time with acceptable accuracy.

Synthesis and Low Thermal Characterization of Local Soil Based-Building Adobe

This work studies the mechanical properties of the soil cement brick and soil cement brick mixed with fly ash from the east of Thailand, Rayong province. The purpose is to develop the new low cost materials used in the local area of Thailand. Results show that the average of the compressive strength and the modulus of rupture (MOR) of soil cement brick mixed with Eastern Rayong fly ash are lower than those of non-fly ash soil cement brick. Also both properties values increase with increasing cured time. However, the thermal conductivity shows the decreasing trend with increasing fly ash content. By conclusion, considered by mechanical properties show that soil cement brick mixed with an Eastern Rayong fly ash can efficiently produce as the structural clay load- bearing tile.

Actinomadura rayongensis sp. nov., isolated from peat swamp forest soil.

A novel actinomycete strain RY35-68(T), isolated from a peat swamp forest soil sample in Rayong Province, Thailand, was characterized using a polyphasic approach. The strain belonged to the genus Actinomadura based on morphological and chemotaxonomic characteristics. Cell-wall analysis revealed the presence of meso-diaminopimelic acid and N-acetylmuramic acid in the peptidoglycan layer. The diagnostic sugar in whole-cell hydrolysates was identified as madurose. The predominant menaquinones were MK-9(H6), MK-9(H8) and MK-9(H4). The major cellular fatty acids were C16 : 0 and iso-C16 : 0. The major polar lipids were diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylinositol and phosphatidylinositol mannoside. The genomic DNA G+C content was 73.7 mol%. On the basis of 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity analysis, strain RY35-68(T) was closely related to the species Actinomadura atramentaria JCM 6250(T) (97.5 %). The value of DNA-DNA relatedness between strain RY35-68(T) and A. atramentaria JCM 6250(T) was 37.6-42.6 %. On the basis of its phenotypic characteristics and these results mentioned, this strain could be distinguished from the closely related type strain and represents a novel species of the genus Actinomadura, for which the name Actinomadura rayongensis sp. nov. (type strain RY35-68(T) = JCM 19830(T) = TISTR 2211(T) = PCU 332(T)) is proposed.

Middle–Late Devonian radiolarians from Klaeng District, Rayong Province, southeastern Thailand: Geotectonic significance of the Rayong area as a continental margin of the Sibumasu Block

A fine clastics–siliceous succession exposed at Laem Krabang Phet, approximately 20km southwest of Klaeng, Rayong area, southeastern Thailand was examined based on lithology, radiolarian biostratigraphy, and geological correlation. In the study section, thinly bedded chert layers are intercalated with black carbonaceous shale, light-colored tuffaceous shale, brown glassy tuff, and quartz-rich sandstone layers. A horizon of the chert in the section yielded poorly preserved radiolarians, however, several forms including Palaeoscenidium cladophorum Deflandre, Stigmosphaerostylus cf. pusilla (Hinde), and Entactiniidae gen. et spp. indet. were identified. This fauna is probably referable to the Middle–Late Devonian. The study section had been assigned to various stratigraphic units, such as Silurian–Devonian or Carboniferous–Permian, due to a poor fossil occurrence. However, the occurrence of the Devonian radiolarians in this study provides concrete evidence for the sedimentary age of the succession, and supports assignment to the Silurian–Devonian. Although the study succession exposed at Laem Krabang Phet is coeval with the Devonian part of the Fang chert, northern Thailand, the lithological assemblage is dissimilar, and the post-Devonian radiolarian chert is absent. These lithological, chronological, and stratigraphic results indicate that the depositional environment of the study section was close to the continental margin, such as a continental slope or rise.

Investigation of Engineering Properties of Quarry Waste in the East of Thailand for Used as Fine Aggregate in Concrete

At the East of Thailand, a shortage of river sand for producing concrete has frequently occurred while the large amounts of quarry dusts are being produced as by-products of stone crushers in many stone quarries. Then, the quarry waste from 12 stone quarries (in Rayong and Chonburi province) was taken to investigate the engineering properties as fine aggregate for concrete. The properties - namely type of parent rock, specific gravity, water absorption, gradation, fineness modulus (F.M.), organic impurities level, powder content, plastic index and sand equivalent value - were examined. The results show that the parent rocks of the samples are limestone, granite and rhyolite. The specific gravity of samples were in the range of 2.61 - 2.77. The gap gradations are found in all samples and the F.M. values slightly exceed the limit of ASTM standard. Absorption of quarry dust is high (around 2 %). Although the high powder contents are found in all samples, the powder in quarry waste is non-plastic and non-organic material. Therefore, gradation and absorption of quarry waste could be carefully considered or improved before using quarry waste as fine aggregate in concrete.

Evaluating determinants of environmental risk perception for risk management in contaminated sites.

Understanding the differences in the risk judgments of residents of industrial communities potentially provides insights into how to develop appropriate risk communication strategies. This study aimed to explore citizens’ fundamental understanding of risk-related judgments and to identify the factors contributing to perceived risks. An exploratory model was created to investigate the public’s risk judgments. In this model, the relationship between laypeople’s perceived risks and the factors related to the physical nature of risks (such as perceived probability of environmental contamination, probability of receiving impacts, and severity of catastrophic consequences) were examined by means of multiple regression analysis. Psychological factors, such as the ability to control the risks, concerns, experiences, and perceived benefits of industrial development were also included in the analysis. The Maptaphut industrial area in Rayong Province, Thailand was selected as a case study. A survey of 181 residents of communities experiencing different levels of hazardous gas contamination revealed rational risk judgments by inhabitants of high-risk and moderate-risk communities, based on their perceived probability of contamination, probability of receiving impacts, and perceived catastrophic consequences. However, risks assessed by people in low-risk communities could not be rationally explained and were influenced by their collective experiences.

Emission of Oxide of Nitrogen from Household Activity in Rayong Province, Thailand

This study is aimed to determine the emission of oxide of nitrogen (NOx), released from combustion of LPG, used in households cooking. The emission factor and emission inventory of NOX for the household activity are developed taking into consideration local characteristic of the household in Thailand. Activities data in this study are collected in Rayong province. These data will serve and assist in developing the emission database under the Pollutant Release and Transfer Registration (PRTR) program. Emission factors of NOx, based on amount of LPG usage per household per year are calculated for different size of household. These values are 142.2, 213.3 and 426.6 kg of NOx /1000 household/year for small, medium and large sizes of household, respectively. It is estimated that the total amount of NOx emissions from households LPG cooking will be about 60.31 tons per year in Rayong province.

Assessing Water Consumption of S-PVC Resin Manufacturing Process by Life Cycle Assessment

The rapid growth of industry has resulted in increased severity of water scarcity in the Eastern region of Thailand over the past decade. The assessment of water use by industrial manufacturing processes located in areas experiencing water stress is necessary to ensure a sustainable water resources management. The objective of this study is to demonstrate the use of life cycle assessment as a tool for assessing water use in an industrial manufacturing process. A case study of S-PVC resin manufacturing process located in Map Ta Phut Industrial Estate, Rayong province, Thailand, is presented. The studying results indicate that the amount of water used to produce 1 Kg of S-PVC resin is 14.72 liters, of which 6.22 liters are withdrawn from local water resources. Additionally, the direct and indirect water use along the production supply chain is accounted for in a streamlined life cycle assessment.