Environmental issues in Thailand

Over the past few decades, Thailand's dramatic economic growth has produced new environmental challenges in this once-agrarian society. The country now faces problems with air and water pollution, declining wildlife populations, deforestation, soil erosion, water scarcity, and hazardous waste issues.

Air Pollution

Industrial growth has created high levels of air pollution in Thailand. Vehicles and factories contribute to air pollution, particularly in Bangkok. []
* 1960 Wild Animal Reservation and Protection Act, which designated protected forest and non-hunting areas
* 1961 National Park Act
* 1964 National Forest Reserve Act
* 1989 Logging ban in natural forests
* 1992 Forest Plantation Act
* 1992 Enhancement and Conservation of National Environmental Quality Act
* 1992 Wild Animals Reservation and Protection Act (WARPA)

Until the acts of 1989 - 1992, conservation policies were difficult to enforce, and often took a back seat to economic development. [cite web|url=http://www.iges.or.jp/en/fc/phase1/ir98-2-7.PDF|title=Conflict Resolution: A case study on sustainable forestry management in Thailand|author=Pearmsak Makarabhirom|accessdate-2007-06-07}] These acts represented a major shift in Thai policy, and are part of the government’s cooperation with the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES), an international wildlife protection agreement.

The government now requires that at least 15% of its land area be protected as forest, and 22% is currently protected as wildlife sanctuaries or national parks. To enforce CITES, the government also maintains border checkpoints to prevent animal smuggling, and works to educate the public about wildlife preservation. Thailand’s Buddhist culture, with its emphasis on respect for all life, has become a key component of the country’s conservation efforts.

ee also

*2007 Laos earthquake

References