REPORT: Thailand paying the price for eco-sluggishness as controversial environmental issues rise

[webfact]

REPORT: Thailand paying the price for eco-sluggishness as controversial environmental issues rise

By PIYAPORN WONGRUANG 
THE NATION 

 

Crowded Maya before cleared.

 

The world is so interconnected, so changes imposed on the environment in Thailand – and the value Thais attach to ecology – cannot be viewed separately from what’s happening elsewhere.
 

The past year has seen an increasing number of environmental issues arise in Thailand that demonstrated our connection to the world at large_and to its universal values.

 

A couple of cases involved trophy hunting, a universal issue about which people everywhere have strong emotional reactions – especially if “influential figures” are the ones doing the hunting.

 

Premchai Karnasuta, president of the sizeable construction firm Italian-Thai Development Plc, was arrested along with three companions in early February in Kanchanaburi’s Thung Yai Naresuan Wildlife Sanctuary.

 

Premchai under arrest.

 

They’re charged with killing protected animals, including a black leopard.

 

Some in authority might have wanted the matter to quietly disappear, but public concern that Premchai’s political and business connections might help him avoid prosecution have kept the case in the spotlight.

 

The affair is so rife with controversy – including the question of equal justice for all – that it’s garnered headlines around the globe.

The case is still before the court but proceeding at an unusually fast pace, as noted by conservationists such as Sasin Chalermlarp, president of the Seub Nakhasathien Foundation. A judge’s ruling is expected sometime in the next three months.

 

The next issue that followed shortly after the black leopard incident and put Thailand on the same test of social inequality was Pa Waeng or “the wracked forest”.

 

Pa Waeng

 

The Court of Appeals Region 5 was in the process of building offices and residences for its judges and staff at the foot of Doi Suthep, a mountain regarded as sacred to some in Chiang Mai. Pristine forest was cleared for the project.

 

Residents objected to the houses and condominiums spoiling the site, which has been nominated for World Heritage recognition. No one else would have been allowed to build there, they said, but the judiciary had pull.

 

The protests gained increasing support nationally the longer the issue dragged on. 

 

The whole project was shifted to Chiang Rai in a bid to mollify opponents, but meanwhile some of them were slapped with defamation suits and the ultimate fate of the site on Doi Suthep remains unknown.

 

 

Thailand’s direct linkage to the world came into harsher focus at about the same time when a tangle of plastic waste more than 10 kilometres across was discovered in the Gulf off Chumpon. The Pacific Ocean and many other bodies of water have long had their vast plastic islands, and now Thailand had one of its own. 

 

In fact, Thais were in some years back placed sixth on an infamous list of 10 nationalities discarding the most plastic into the world’s seas.

 

The accusation hurt, but the fact was driven home again when marine animals including whales kept washing up on our shores, their lungs and bellies choked with plastic. More global headlines pointed our way, prompting state authorities and some corporations to introduce measures to curb plastic use. No one actually believes a planned ban on plastic straws will do much good, but it’s a welcome move anyway.

 

And then Thailand found its way onto another list, this one of major nation-recipients of electronic waste. The world’s hazardous junk has to go somewhere, China wanted to stop taking it in, and Thailand with its suitably loose controls earns cash as an import landfill.

 

And another list, from a group called Germanwatch, placed Thailand among the 10 countries likely to be worst affected by climate change.

 

If the sea rises as much as scientists predict it will, most of the Gulf provinces and the peninsula could be underwater, raising an alarm for the country to set its priority to deal with climate change.

 

The worsening environmental issues have been addressed to some extent, like the famed Maya Bay where has been closed for some months now to allow the nature to heal,  but most measures taken in the past year have been reactive rather than proactive.

 

Directives were issued only after problems escalated instead of coming when problems are foreseen. The aim has been to curb rather than prevent impacts.

 

Energy sector, a major cause of climate change

 

In Thailand and elsewhere in the world, environmentalists are hoping that policymakers come to understand the interconnectedness of issues and adopt precautionary rather than mitigating measures.

 

Thais might be able to stymie the wildlife poachers among them, but resolving environmental issues with global implications like climate change will require international unity.

 

Especially when it comes to the environment, Thailand, as is now increasingly clear, is not alone. It cannot avoid the impacts nor shun its responsibilities.

 

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/detail/national/30361378

 

-- © Copyright The Nation 2018-12-31

[YetAnother]

2 hours ago, webfact said:

and the value Thais attach to ecology

face it , to  a place like thailand, with so many problems, where would ecology fit ? likely vie for the bottom spot, talk only

[mok199]

Thailands solution is '' yet more development and some one day wars against plastics and emissions''.Apparently the only ones concerened are the pesky foriengers...

[mikebell]

I've lived in Thailand 15 years; three of those years sat waiting for traffic lights to turn green!  All around me are hundreds of vehicles burning fuel/polluting the atmosphere.  Thailand's fuel bill must be many % higher than it need be whilst we wait for the red light runners to allow us on our way.

[phantomfiddler]

The people who are receiving the tourist dollars do not want to waste any of it building sewage treatment plants or improving the ecology. If there is to be any hope of reversing the decline then PROPER plants need to be constructed in Pattaya and any other city where it all just goes down the drain on it,s way to the sea ????

[HHTel]

6 hours ago, webfact said:

Thailand’s direct linkage to the world came into harsher focus at about the same time when a tangle of plastic waste more than 10 kilometres across was discovered in the Gulf off Chumpon. The Pacific Ocean and many other bodies of water have long had their vast plastic islands, and now Thailand had one of its own. 

Not to worry, Prayut aims to cut the use of plastic bags by 70% over the next TWENTY YEARS!!!

[Oziex1]

1 hour ago, phantomfiddler said:

The people who are receiving the tourist dollars do not want to waste any of it building sewage treatment plants or improving the ecology. If there is to be any hope of reversing the decline then PROPER plants need to be constructed in Pattaya and any other city where it all just goes down the drain on it,s way to the sea ????

Just keep using 20yo photos of pristine beaches in the tourist brochures, all will be well. 

[Cake Monster]

" and the value Thais attach to Ecology "

They do not even know what Ecology means, so they cannot put a value to it.

Such ignorance in the year 2019 just do,s not cut it on the International Stage.

Its time the Country woke up and stopped hiding behind " we are just a Developing Nation ", and got with the rest of the World.

[Moonlover]

4 hours ago, mikebell said:

I've lived in Thailand 15 years; three of those years sat waiting for traffic lights to turn green!  All around me are hundreds of vehicles burning fuel/polluting the atmosphere.  Thailand's fuel bill must be many % higher than it need be whilst we wait for the red light runners to allow us on our way.

Those who blame all those around them for being caught in a traffic jam, need to turn the mirror on themselves.

 

They are not the victim, they are part of the cause!

[AhFarangJa]

25 minutes ago, Moonlover said:

Those who blame all those around them for being caught in a traffic jam, need to turn the mirror on themselves.

 

They are not the victim, they are part of the cause!

When I read your post my mind went to this cartoon I saw a while ago, so close to the truth...........

Edited December 31, 2018 by AhFarangJa

[CGW]

31 minutes ago, Moonlover said:

They are not the victim, they are part of the cause!

For sure "they" are part of the cause, what is the alternative? investment in public transportation has never happened, look at how kids are transported to school! sad fact is they are safer on their motorbikes with no crash helmets than they are using "public' transportation.

[khunken]

13 minutes ago, CGW said:

For sure "they" are part of the cause, what is the alternative? investment in public transportation has never happened, look at how kids are transported to school! sad fact is they are safer on their motorbikes with no crash helmets than they are using "public' transportation.

Totally wrong.

 

There is plenty of investment in public transport. Bangkok has a number of overground & underground rail projects already running and more under construction. The bus company (BMTA) is currently replacing old busses with new ones. Railways are currently being upgraded to double track as well as new projects (slowly) coming to the construction stage. It's not perfect but it's not bad.

 

As for children being safer on a motorbike without a helmet than using a school bus or van - just ridiculous. Motorbikes with or without a helmet are by far the most dangerous mode of travel in Thailand.

[DrTuner]

29 minutes ago, khunken said:

There is plenty of investment in public transport. Bangkok has a number of overground & underground rail projects already running and more under construction. The bus company (BMTA) is currently replacing old busses with new ones. Railways are currently being upgraded to double track as well as new projects (slowly) coming to the construction stage. It's not perfect but it's not bad.

Bangkok isn't all of Thailand, no matter what Bangkokians think. It's a small swamp in the crotch of Siam. Other places rely on private cars, scooters and a few songtaews/buses.

[sawadee1947]

The main problem is a junta who is clinching to power and Thai people circling around themselves. All see Thailand as a center of the world. One day tourists will find this country disgusting not worth to visit. Then Thailand will have to pay a high price for the lost future. 

[CGW]

58 minutes ago, khunken said:

Totally wrong.

 

There is plenty of investment in public transport. Bangkok has a number of overground & underground rail projects already running and more under construction. The bus company (BMTA) is currently replacing old busses with new ones. Railways are currently being upgraded to double track as well as new projects (slowly) coming to the construction stage. It's not perfect but it's not bad.

 

As for children being safer on a motorbike without a helmet than using a school bus or van - just ridiculous. Motorbikes with or without a helmet are by far the most dangerous mode of travel in Thailand.

I'm talking Thailand - Not Bangkok - Thailand is a lot bigger than Bangkok, though for sure they do invest most of the money there ????

Do enlighten me, as you point out I am "totally wrong" where outside of Bangkok there is a functioning public transportation system? ❓

[khunken]

2 minutes ago, CGW said:

I'm talking Thailand - Not Bangkok - Thailand is a lot bigger than Bangkok, though for sure they do invest most of the money there ????

Do enlighten me, as you point out I am "totally wrong" where outside of Bangkok there is a functioning public transportation system? ❓

Yes I know that Thailand is not just Bangkok. Well there is a fully functioning railway system throughout the country and parts of it are currently being upgraded to dual-track.

There are also plans (I know, baby steps) to build light rail systems in Phuket and Khon Kaen. The rail system to connect three airports is at the bidding stage and includes other provinces as well as Bangkok. I know full well that in the countryside there is no functioning public transport.

 

You made categorical ststements about public transport and children on motorcycles. I contradicted both by giving examples. Your goalpost-moving attempt doesn't work.

[hotchilli]

When the ruling parties or high ranking officials can make the link between waste/pollution and personal gain all will be well in the land of smiles!!!!

[mikebell]

19 hours ago, Moonlover said:

Those who blame all those around them for being caught in a traffic jam, need to turn the mirror on themselves.

 

They are not the victim, they are part of the cause!

So how do you get around?  Are you suggesting we return to the buffalo cart era?

[Moonlover]

1 hour ago, mikebell said:

21 hours ago, Moonlover said:

Those who blame all those around them for being caught in a traffic jam, need to turn the mirror on themselves.

 

They are not the victim, they are part of the cause!

 

1 hour ago, mikebell said:

So how do you get around?  Are you suggesting we return to the buffalo cart era?

Clearly it is not a problem that can be solved by the individual, but they can none the less make a contribution.

 

Every traveller should ask themselves two questions.

 

1. Is my journey really necessary?

 

2.  Can I use an alternative means, other than my car?

 

Just like other forms of pollution in the modern world. Many individual contributions add up to a positive result.

 

Happy new year.

 

ML

[plachon]

On 12/31/2018 at 2:57 AM, phantomfiddler said:

The people who are receiving the tourist dollars do not want to waste any of it building sewage treatment plants or improving the ecology. If there is to be any hope of reversing the decline then PROPER plants need to be constructed in Pattaya and any other city where it all just goes down the drain on it,s way to the sea ????

On the subject of whether Thailand's leaders want to "waste" money building sewage or water treatment plants, you are incorrect to think that they are not keen to go down this route. Indeed, over the last two decades, dozens of very expensive treatment plants have been built across the country for all the big centres of population, including Bangkok and Chiang Mai. The problem comes with properly maintaining them. Like with most things infrastructural in Thailand, the rewards for decision-makers, whether bureaucrats or politicians, comes from building the things in the first place, not with running and maintaining them. Thus, most end up either breaking down entirely or working at a grossly sub-optimal level soon after completion. For the most heinous example, check out the infamous case of the 23 billion baht Khlong Dan Water treatment plant in Samut Prakarn, which has rumbled for many years on through numerous court cases:  

http://www.terraper.org/web/en/key-issues/the-samut-prakarn-wastewater-management-project

 

3 

[MaxYakov]

AFAIC, the time for anything but extreme measures as come and gone. Thailand, the "eco-slug" (but they are not the only slug).

[fruitman]

On 12/31/2018 at 10:07 AM, HHTel said:

Not to worry, Prayut aims to cut the use of plastic bags by 70% over the next TWENTY YEARS!!!

And will still let the Thai burn batteries, plastic and all other garbage in their backyards.

 

In our village we have separete bins now for recycling...one for paper, one for plastic and another one (not for batteries or used oil). The first day the one for paper was full of plastic so there's still a long way to go by educating the Thai how it's done.