Polluters Will Pay Under New Thai Law

[webfact]

POLLUTION

Polluters will pay under new law

JEERAPONG PRASERTPONKRANG

THE NATION

BANGKOK: -- Cabinet yesterday gave the go-ahead to a five-year pollution management plan, which will implement the polluters-pay concept.

"The plan will be launched from this year to 2016," Anusorn Iamsa-ard said in his capacity as acting government spokesman, adding that all relevant authorities are required to develop their work schemes in line with this framework.

As per the plan, anybody polluting the environment will have to pay. Economic and social measures will be used to encourage manufacturers to cut down on contamination and use an environmentally friendly manufacturing process as well as encourage individuals to embrace green habits.

The Natural Resources and Environment Ministry proposed the scheme.

"The ultimate goal is to provide an ecologically balanced environment that is good for people's health," Anusorn said.

The plan also recommends that the first priority be given to areas that have serious environmental problems, such as bad quality of water and severe smog .

Local administrative bodies will need to promote the proper disposal of waste, especially toxic waste created by entrepreneurs. They also need to be ready to respond efficiently to any emergencies such as chemical leaks.

"Laws, regulations and authorities' work plans will be improved to ensure they are all heading in the same direction and encourage participation by all parties involved," Anusorn said. He added that in line with the plan, authorities would be launching campaigns to encourage all stakeholders to help tackle and prevent pollution.

-- The Nation 2012-03-21

[skybluestu]

http://www.breathecampaign.net/sign-our-petition/

[canardo]

WAIT WAIT, LET ME FINISH THIS HEADLINE:

...still directly to the police.

Fight the corruption first before you aim for other goals!!!

[Thailand]

I thought there were already measures in place to at least fine the fire starters in relation to the choking smog but they are certainly not being enforced so what is different about this?

[TackyToo]

Does it mean the 2000 baht cigarette bud scam applies for locals too now?

[Pib]

As per the plan, anybody polluting the environment will have to pay.

And I'm sure the payment/fees/fines will be huge...probably 500 baht per incident....and 2,000 baht if it results in death. Of course, it will take a 10 year court fight to decide whether either the 500 or 2,000 baht fine will apply.

[hellodolly]

Well I have to admit it is a great plan.

Problem is it will just increase methods of collecting tea money.

I once again reiterate show them that there are better systems don't just talk.

[TIT]

Window dressing as usual. Even if there are good intentions behind this there is no way it will work as intended. As already stated it will just be another revenue stream for the boys in brown. Take the belching black smoke trucks, buses and pick ups that ply the roads of Thailand everywhere; they will be allowed to continue belching of course but may now find themselves having to pay a policeman for the luxury of not having to get their vehicle fixed and poisoning the air around them for everyone to enjoy. As for big business, they will just drop the police an extra bung and that'll do nicely. Obviously I have been here too long but I really think the chance of this working even a little bit is zero.

[noitom]

"The ultimate goal." Can you imagine the chance that this has for success? Which Thais actually care about something like this. It's just another sham blustering and blowing smoke to cloud up the under the table money that will change hands. But what heck? Instead of taxation, enforcement of law, e

[MoonShadow]

No mention of the numerous bars/restaurants/resorts who channel their untreated waste water (grey and black), straight into the sea in Samui and Phuket.....and the septic tank emptier trucks who just dump their contents still steaming, straight, into the jungle near steams.......world class! Amazing Thailand!!

[lovetotravel]

They have laws now, they are just not enforced properly. Reform the police is the first step, as mentioned above!

[softgeorge]

Doe's that mean NO MORE burning in the north every year or will it just cost 500 bht and business as usual?

[belg]

wow, a thai carbone tax in a sort... so how or where can i declare my neighbour for burning his shit in the garden that engulfs a whole neighboorhood ?

[bigbamboo]

wow, a thai carbone tax in a sort... so how or where can i declare my neighbour for burning his shit in the garden that engulfs a whole neighboorhood ?

I remember the Soviets used to do shit 5 year plans too.

[anterian]

Look inside an average poor Thais house, then look at his immediate environment, there is no transition.

[loong]

It would be really nice to see these laws enforced for a change.

This area of Khon Kaen province during the months that they are burning the sugar cane there is a constant rain of smuts and everything covered in a fine black dust. Add to that the pollution from the charcoal makers and every morning/evening locals starting cooking fires with bits of old flip-flops, inner tubes and plastic, the air quality around here is terrible.