Population: 60,609,046 (July 1999 est.)  Land Area: 511,770 sq km  Coastline: 3,219 km (Source:  CIA World Factbook 1999)

Thailand   Country Contacts Office of Environment Policy and Planning (OEPP) http://www.oepp.go.th/english/eindex.htm Pollution Control Department (PCD) http://www.pcd.go.th/default2.cfm Department of Environmental Quality Promotion (DEQP) http://www.deqp.go.th         (Source:  CIA World Factbook 1999)   Many thanks to the United Nations Commission on Sustainable Development, the source of the following information. The information was taken from the Thailand's submission to the 5th and 7th Sessions of the Commission on Sustainable Development (last update: February 1999). For further information on the Thailand's social and economic factors, natural resources, and institutional structures see the United Nations System-Wide Web Site on National Implementation of the Rio Commitments National Information for Thailand at     http://www.un.org/esa/agenda21/natlinfo/countr/thai/index.htm   OCEANS AND COASTAL AREAS Integrated Decision-Making In Thailand, different agencies are responsible for coastal zones under their own mandates. Integrated coastal zone management is generally coordinated by the Office of Environmental Policy and Planning. The National Environmental Board is the main body to determine the national coastal resource and environment policy. Other agencies playing major roles in coastal resource management include: the Pollution Control Department, the Harbor Department, the Department of Fisheries, the Royal Forestry Department, the Department of Local Administration, the City Planning Department, the Department of Industrial Work, and the Department of Environmental Quality Promotion. The Pollution Control Department is also the main responsible agency for marine environmental protection. Other agencies include: the Department of Local Administration, the Department of Fisheries, the Royal Forestry Department, the Harbor Department, the Department of Industrial Work, the Royal Navy, and the Office of Environmental Policy and Planning. In the area of sustainable use and conservation of marine living resources, the Fisheries Department, the Royal Forestry and the Harbor Department are responsible. Coordination takes place through the committees in which concerned agencies are members. At the policy level, there is the National Environmental Board. At the planning and operational level, coordination is facilitated primarily through the Office of Environmental Policy and Planning and the Pollution Control Department. There is no specific national policy on oceans and seas. Thailand has established a National Committee on Sustainable Development of the Sea. In general, representatives of stakeholders have been nominated as committee members. The local communities are promoted to participate in the public hearing of any major development that potentially generates environmental impacts. The new constitution has promoted information and management transparency. Access to development information must be open to the public. There are also policies that cover the major issues, such as:    The Policy and Perspective Plan for Enhancement and Conservation of National Environmental Quality (1997-2016); and  The Five-Year National Economic and Social Development Plan (presently the eighth such plan, 1997-2001).  Policies for integrated coastal zone management and sustainable development are directed toward:   Fully protecting the remaining mangrove areas;  Minimizing the environmental impacts on coastal areas, especially from urban and industrial centers;  Promoting eco-tourism to protect the coastal environment; and  Developing the seawater irrigation system for coastal aquaculture.  Marine environmental protection policies address the following:    Polluters must be responsible for the cleaning of the environment;  Participation of the private sector in coastal environmental management is promoted; and  Water quality in the major rivers is improved.  Policies for sustainable use and conservation of marine living resources aim at the following:    Government control of the mesh size and limits to the period of catch to minimize by-catch of the target and non-target species;  Periodical closure of the Gulf of Thailand;  Promotion of the community collective management system to protect the coastal resources; and  Protection and rehabilitation of the coral reefs.  Other related measures include:    A Cabinet Resolution to prohibit the use of conserved mangrove forests;  Urgent Measures for Mangrove and Coral Reef Management;  The Master Plan for Coral Reef Management;  Policies, Measures and Action Plans for Coastal Resource and Environmental Management;  National Oil Spill Contingency Plan;  The Five-Year Natural Resource Management Action Plan;  The Provincial Environmental Management Plan;  A Cabinet Resolution to demarcate conserved coastal forests; and Prohibition on fishing in protected areas that are critical, such as coral reefs, sea grass, and mangroves, which are important nursing and spawning grounds.  Among the programmes that have been developed to address the issues enumerated above are included:    Program to install the artificial reefs along the twenty-three coastal provinces of Thailand;  Programs to install the gloating anchor for boats in environmentally critical areas;  Development of an Action Plan and Pollution Sources Control to Improve the Coastal Water Quality in the Gulf of Thailand and Andaman Coast; and  Development of a Mathematical Model for Predictions of the Movement of Oil Spills.  Legislation affecting integrated coastal zone management and sustainable development includes the following:    Fisheries Act 1994  National Marine Park Act, 1961  Environmental Quality Standards established by the Pollution Control Department  Environmental Impact Assessment required for large and environmentally-sensitive establishments  Environmental Conservation Zone  Factory Act 1992  Thailand has continuously revised the laws and legislation to meet international standards, although many still need revision. Legislation in the area of marine environmental protection includes:    Navigation in Thai Water Act, 1961  Fisheries Act 1994  Enhancement and Conservation of National Environmental Quality Act 1992  Factory Act 1992  Pollutant Control Zone  Building Effluent Standards  Industrial Effluent Standards  Coastal Water Quality Standards  Legislation affecting the sustainable use and conservation of marine living resources includes:    Fisheries Act 1994  Prohibition of certain types of fishing gear within three kilometers from the coastal line  Three-month prohibition of fishing during spawning period of economically-important fish species in the Gulf of Thailand  National Forest Act  In general, the established guidelines and standards are mandated to compel the involved activities. Status  The major current uses of the coastal areas in Thailand are fishing, aquaculture and tourism. The percentage of the economy contributed by fishing is about two percent of GDP.  Methods in place to encourage sustainable use and conservation of marine living resources include:   Control the number and type of fishing gear and vessels  Prohibition of new trawlers  Improvement of laws and regulation, such as licensing system  Periodical ban of fishing in the Gulf of Thailand  Prevention of specific fishing gear within three kilometers from the coast line  Promotion of tripartite institution-setting (government, private sector and the public) in formulating plans and monitoring coastal resources.  Shipping impacts on sustainable development mainly through improper waste management, especially in relation to the ship cleaning. Oil spills from ships also generate a major impact. In addition, there is conflict over land use in port development. Impacts from other coastal- and marine-based industries are several. Over-fishing deteriorates the fishery resources. Conversion of mangrove forest to shrimp farms affects the coastal resources. There is over-capacity utilization of tourism resources, especially in the coral reef areas, and improper management of pollution in the areas. Oil and gas operations and transportation increase the risk to the coastal and marine environment. Operational discharges from offshore oil and gas exploration and exploitation generate pollutants, including oil produced in water, oil contaminated drill cuttings, like oil-based mud, production chemicals, like residual drilling additives and well treatment agents, and other discharges and emissions, like sewage, garbage, deck drainage, heavy metal, aromatics and naturally occurring radioactive materials. The primary sources of land-based pollution are domestic sources, industrial development areas and tourism areas, especially beach resorts and agriculture and aquaculture activities. There is also pollution from non-point sources, such as agriculture and urban runoff and coastal erosion. The primary sources of sea-based pollution are offshore oil and gas operations, wastes from maritime transportation, shipping, oil spills, dredging and the red tide and harmful algal bloom. The command and control approach has been strengthened through decentralization of resource and environmental management. Local communities are encouraged to play increasing roles in sustainable uses of resources. There are National Action Plans for mangrove, coral reefs and seagrass management. A seawater irrigation system has been implemented to reduce the pollution of shrimp farms. Central domestic wastewater treatment plants have been developed in the major cities, especially in the coastal areas. Capacity-building, education, training and awareness-raising Programmes to educate policy-makers include seminars and study tours for new approaches in sustainable coastal management, such as the use of economic instruments, integrated coastal resource management, integrated watershed management. Regional meetings and cooperation, such as ASEAN, APEC, and ESCAP, also provide opportunity to exchange experiences at the policy-making level. Capacity-building training programmes for the local administration organizations are being implemented for preparing resource and environmental management plans. Support to the factories to adopt ISO 14000 has been provided with training, auditing, etc. Local communities are also trained by NGOs to enhance their capability in managing coastal resources in their areas. The Environmental Promotion Department regularly conducts campaigns for raising public awareness in protecting ocean and coastal resources. Similarly, the Fisheries Department also actively promotes the rehabilitation of fishery resources. Constraints One of the main constraints recently faced by Thailand is the economic crisis that accelerates resource exploitation, reduces budgets available for ocean and coastal resource management. The unilateral action in using environmental issues as trade barriers of developed countries also seriously affects the livelihoods of the small fishing households.  Other constraints include:    Some duplication of efforts undertaken by various government agencies involved;  The limited human and financial resources to oversee the coastal areas of the length of 2600 kms; and The lack of knowledge and skills of the multi-ecosystem of tropical zones.  Technology Basically, the lack of appropriate technology transfer is the major issue to impede the development of innovative approaches to sustainable coastal resource utilization. The proposed technology should be effective and suitable to the areas. It should be cost-effective and harmonized with the local government. Information National fishery statistics include the number of catch, types of vessels, fishing gear, number of fishing households, and registered vessels. Research works on sustainable fishing, fishing efforts, etc. Information on water quality is available in the coastal urban centers, coastal sea water quality, ocean pollution warning systems, etc. There are also statistics on oil skills in Thai waters. Thailand has national mineral statistics, mineral deposit mapping, and a master plan for national mineral resource management. With respect to critical uncertainties, Thailand maintains the following information: national GHG inventory for 1990 and mitigation policies to cope with climate change vulnerability and adaptation; and assessment of these uncertainties by the Meteorological Department. There is GIS on coastal areas, and it has been utilized in marine and coastal resource management and planning, such as Songkla Basin and Phanga Bay. The Department of Fisheries has recently begun to set up GIS to assist decision-makers and planners. Information is mainly used by the public agencies and academic institutes.  Simple indicators have been recommended for use at the provincial level in the preparation of provincial environmental action plans. At the national level, the sustainable yield of fishery resources is estimated, while the Green Account of Gross National Product is being developed. Water quality standards of the seawater are also regularly monitored. Financing In general, all activities are financed by the national budget. Some external assistance has been provided through research words under bilateral or multi-lateral progammes. Cooperation Thailand is a Party to several Conventions relevant to oceans and seas, including:   Framework Convention on Climate Change  MARPOL  SEAPOL  CITES  CBD (to be signed)  RAMSAR  The Convention Concerning the Protection of the World Cultural and Natural Heritage  Thailand is in the process of ratifying the Basel Convention on the Control of Transboundary Movement of Hazardous Wastes and their Disposal, and it is in the process of being a Party to the following Conventions: the International Convention for Prevention of Pollution from Ships; the International Convention on Oil Pollution Preparedness Response and Cooperation; and the International Convention on Civil Liability. Thailand is also a member of or Party to the following:    the ASEAN Working Group on ASEAN Seas and Marine Environment and the Sub-Committee on Marine Science;  the Regional Programme on Prevention and Management of Marine Pollution in the East Asian Sea;  The ASEAN Agreement on The Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources;  Agreement on the Network of Aquaculture Centres in Asia and the Pacific; and The Southeast Asian Fisheries Development Center.  Other bilateral, multilateral and international cooperation in this area includes:    APEC Marine Resource Conservation Working Group  APEC Fisheries Working Group  The Danish Cooperation for Environment and Development  The PECC Task Force on Fisheries Development and Cooperation  ASEAN- Dialogue Partners Cooperation Programme (ASEAN-Australia Project; ASEAN-EU Project; and ASEAN-Canada Project; ASEAN-Korea Project; and ASEAN-Japan Project).  (top)

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