Industrial Pollution in Thailand

Abstract

In recent years Thailand has experienced rapid economic growth. Comparative cost advantages, a favourable exchange rate and relative political stability have built the foundation for a booming tourist industry as well as for the increasing export of industrial goods. Although exports were limited mainly to traditional industrial activities like food processing, textiles and garments in the initial phase, in recent years a tendency towards large-scale industrial development can be observed. Following this development, industrial pollution is becoming a greater hazard. Particularly the chemical and petrochemical industries are well known for their high potential of hazardous waste generation which cannot yet be handled properly in Thailand. Notwithstanding this, Thailand’s first extensive industrial project, the Eastern Seaboard Development Program, consists mainly of industries from these highly pollutive sectors. Another project, still in the planning phase, is the Southern Seaboard Program. With investment costs running to 5-10 billions US$, it also concentrates on petrochemicals and chemicals. The Thai government sees both programs as a prerequisite for joining the other four Asian NICs in the quickest possible way. But it is questionable if this desired development can be achieved with large-scale solutions. Ecological as well as economic reasons indicate otherwise. In addition, there are misgivings that, once initiated, this kind of development will clash with the current main foreign exchange earner, tourism. Income from the tourist business would consequently not be available for a more environment-orientated redirection of the country’s economy.