Pollution Management Plan for 2012-2016

(25/03/2012)

Thailand’s pollution management plan, to be implemented in the next five years has won Cabinet approval. The pollution management plan for 2012-2016 will be used as the direction for all agencies to follow, in connection with the environmental quality management plan for 2012-2016 and the current 11th National Economic and Social Development Plan. The Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment reported to the Cabinet on 20 March 2012 that the new pollution management plan was designed to prevent pollution and ease the country’s pollution problems more effectively and to keep pace with global trends. It also aims to encourage all sectors of society to take part in pollution management. The objective is to improve the country’s environment and maintain it at the accepted standards. The plan seeks to reduce and control the spread of pollution from agricultural and industrial communities, vehicles, and the transport sector. All sectors of society should be allowed to take part in various stages of pollution control. Priority should be given to pollution management in each area. For instance, water quality should be emphasized in critical sections of river basins. Provinces affected by haze pollution and forest fires should be given special attention. Other areas that should receive greater attention include economic zones and natural tourist sites. Local administrative organizations should be encouraged to handle wastewater and solid waste management in communities. Entrepreneurs will be urged to manage toxic waste in a systematic manner and with greater efficiency. At the same time, preventive measures should be prepared to deal with the leaks of chemicals and dangerous substances when there is an accident. The “polluter pays principle” should be applied, while incentive measures should be introduced to promote pollution reduction and pollution-free production processes. A major boost should also be given to environment-friendly services, production, and consumer behavior. The five-year pollution management plan calls for the unified development of pollution management in terms of legal matters, regulations, and guidelines in both public and private sectors. Civil society organizations and other stakeholders should be urged to join forces in tackling the pollution problem by stepping up campaigns for pollution management and control. According to a report by the Pollution Control Department, the flooding situation in Thailand in 2011 resulted in the deterioration of water quality in certain river basins, such as the Chao Phraya, Tha Chin, and Bang Pakong. However, the overall quality of Thailand's rivers has been improving over the past five years. The country's hazardous waste was at 3.12 million tons, an increase of 1.2 per cent over the previous year. Garbage continued to rise each year, with 16 million tons in 2011, a rise of 5.5 per cent over 2010.