Policies in Thailand:
Thailand: 20-Year Environment Plan
This plan lays out the guidelines for environmental protection and resource conservation for sustainable social and economic development in Thailand. It calls for information networks and classification systems to provide streamlined access to information.
Date Implemented: 1992-2011
Status: In Force; Framework Policy
References: National Communication to the UNFCCC http://www.un.org/esa/agenda21/natlinfo/countr/thai/inst.htm
Thailand: 8th National Social and Economic Development Plan
The 8th Development Plan’s mechanisms to achieve its goals include providing adequate, affordable, quality energy sufficient to meet increases in demand; promoting efficient and economic use of energy; promoting competition in the energy supply industry and increasing the private sector’s role; preventing and mitigating environmental problems that arise from energy development and utilization, and improving the safety of energy-related activities; developing legislation related to energy. Fuel switching has been emphasized as well, alternatives explored including hydropower, gas turbines, low sulfur coal and solar.
Status: Ended
Targets: The goals of the 8th Plan for Development are as follows: increase commercial primary energy production at 3% annually; Adjust the growth rate of domestic primary commercial energy consumption to be compatible with GDP growth; Maintain the ratio of imported energy dependency at no more than 64 % by the year 2001; Set targets for domestic production and import of energy; Set targets for the electricity generating capacity of the country to correspond with the decreasing demand; Increase the electricity generating capacity by using solar energy at a minimum capacity of 4 MW nationwide by 2001; Reduce power consumption through demand side management measures by 1,400 MW, and reduce energy consumption through the implementation under the Energy Conservation Promotion Act by approximately one million tons of crude oil equivalent per year by 2001; Establish reliability standards for the power system; and reduce emissions of sulfur dioxide from commercial energy consumption by transportation, electricity generation, industry and other economic sectors from a total level of 982,000 tons in 1996 to 365,000 tons in 2001. Many of these targets were lowered before their achievement due to the economic crisis.
References: National Communication to the UNFCCC
Thailand: 9th National Social and Economic Development Plan
In the Ninth Plan, major emphasis is placed on balanced development of human, social, economic, and environmental resources. This sustainable development direction is seen in various national strategies which are: the strategy on natural resource and environmental management, the strategy to increase national competitiveness, the strategy on human development and social protection, the strategy to achieve sustainability of rural and urban development through participation of all social sectors.
Date Implemented: 2002-2006
Status: Framework Policy
References: National Communication to the UNFCCC
Thailand: Community Forests
The rationale behind the community forests bill was that with appropriate property rights, the communities that depend on forest resources will ensure that their sources of supply are sustained.
Date Implemented: draft bill vetoed 2002
References: National Communication to the UNFCCC
Thailand: Conservation Forests
The Thai government has declared a policy of maintaining no less than 25% of the total land area as conservation forests.
Status: In Force; Mandatory
References: National Communication to the UNFCCC
Thailand: DSM Program under the 7th National Social and Economic Development Plan
The Demand Side Management program was highly successful, compared. The actual reduction in peak demand was double the target. Energy saving and CO2 emission reduction were 65 percent higher than aimed.
Date Implemented: 1994-1998
Status: Ended
Funding Information: starting budget of US$189 million from internal and external sources: $15.5 million from GEF; $25 million from the Overseas Economic Cooperation Fund; $148.5 from internal sources (EGAT and NEPO)
Milestones: reduction of 238 MW peak demand, 1,427 GWh of electricity, and 1.06 million tons of CO2 emissions
References: National Communication to the UNFCCC
Thailand: DSM Program under the 8th National Social and Economic Development Plan
The mechanisms for meeting the DSM targets include increased efficiency lighting and a campaign for increased energy efficiency in appliances.
Date Implemented: 1997-2001
Status: Ended
Target: peak demand and power consumption are targeted to be reduced by 1,400 MW and 5,370 GWh respectively. Meeting these targets could result in a total reduction of CO2 of more than 4 million tons, assuming the same emission ratio.
References: National Communication to the UNFCCC
Thailand: Energy Conservation and Promotion Act
This policy supports energy efficiency. The main components of the Thai government’s energy efficiency promotion policies include energy conservation in factories, in large buildings, in machinery, equipment and processes (and the promotion of energy efficient materials), and a fund for the promotion of energy efficiency. Large buildings and factories are required to conduct energy audits and from this information, draw up energy conservation plans. They may apply for government support for the implementation of these plans. The government also offers financial assistance, and is promoting the cooperation of the private sector, for research and development on energy conservation means and renewable technologies (biomass). It has also developed a work plan for personnel development and public relations activities to foster a greater understanding and awareness among the public of energy conservation and efficiency efforts. This includes the "Divide Energy by 2" program.
Date Implemented: 1993
Status: In Force; Framework Policy
References: National Communication to the UNFCCC; UN, "Energy Conservation Legislation in Thailand: Concepts, Procedures and Challenges," http://www.unescap.org/esd/energy/publications/compend/ceccpart2chapter4...
Thailand: Energy Conservation Program Fund
Part of the Energy Conservation Promotion Program (ENCON) under the Energy Conservation Promotion Act.
Date Implemented: 1995
Status: In Force; Voluntary
Funding Information: funded from a tax on petrol
Thailand: Energy Service Companies
As part of the Energy Conservation and Promotion Act, Thailand is considering establishing Energy Service Companies to promote and assist with the implementation of energy conservation. ESCOs are private companies that provide comprehensive energy-efficiency or load-reduction services to customers who own or operate facilities such as factories or buildings. They provide energy savings for a fee. Under the pilot ESCO program, the government provides interest-free loans to finance industrial energy conservation investments by private ESCOs.
Status: Voluntary
References: National Communication to the UNFCCC; World Energy Council, Thai Energy Day, Success of Demand Side Management Program in Thailand, http://www.eppo.go.th/inter/wec/int-WEC-TD02.html
Thailand: The Policy and Prospective Plan for Enhancement and Conservation of National Environmental Quality
The Policy and Prospective Plan for Enhancement and Conservation of National Environmental Quality aims for integration of natural resources management and enhancement and conservation of national environmental quality, with sustainable economic and social development, and to ensure the quality of life. It adopts strategies to rehabilitate the environment and measures to address pollution and damage to the environment. It includes the participation of NGOs, local organizations, increased technology and participation of the population. It focuses on the conservation of natural resources, increasing the efficiency of their use, support the better management of the resources through institutional and legislative change, increase information centralization, standardization and accessibility, and the promotion of technology for environmental quality management.
Date Implemented: 1997-2016
Status: In Force; Framework Policy
References: Thailand’s Office of Natural Resources and Environmental Policy and Planning
Thailand: Fiscal measures to promote environmentally friendly products
Excise tax incentives have been introduced for machines, equipment and materials conserving energy or protecting the environment. The government increased taxes on motorcycles, batteries, marble, granite and air conditioners.
Date Implemented: 1997
Status: In Force; Voluntary
References: National Communication to the UNFCCC; Office of Natural Resources and Environmental Policy Planning,
Thailand: Independent Power Producer Program
IPPs are required to sell all of their electricity produced to EGAT for distribution.
Date Implemented: 1994
Thailand: LPG and Natural Gas in buses and taxis
The first NGV bus fleet was introduced in Thailand in 1984 with aid from the New Zealand government. Future efforts were not as successful, but now, NG prices are set at 50% of the price of diesel in order to make it more commercially viable (natural gas is exempt from all tax but the VAT). Special low interest loans are arranged for taxis to convert to natural gas and grants are made for the bus system to purchase NGV engines.
Status: In Force; Mandatory
References: National Communication to the UNFCCC; NGV Development and Expansion in Thailand
Thailand: More stringent vehicle emissions standards
As of 1993 all vehicles are required to have catalytic converters installed. IN 1999-2001, new emissions standards have been adapted from the European Union’s standards and implemented. An inspection program has been set up to enforce these standards.
Status: In Force; Mandatory
References: National Communication to the UNFCCC; http://www.adb.org/vehicle-emissions/THA/standards.asp#docs; http://www.un.org/esa/gite/iandm/viroatpaper.pdf
Thailand: National Energy Strategy
The key components of the strategy include the promotion of alternative fuels and the efficient use of energy to reduce energy consumption by 13% in 2008 and 20% in 2009 when the rapid mass transit mega-projects are completed. It also aims to replace diesel and benzene with natural gas as vehicle fuel. In order to achieve this, the government will lower the excise tax and duty on all imported natural gas vehicle (NGV) engines and parts, relax regulations involved in reimbursement for expenses incurred when installing NGV equipment in state vehicles, and devise incentives such as the reduction of the registration tax on NGV vehicles to intice taxis, trucks, buses and other vehicles to switch. The strategy introduces the government’s goals/aspirations for a biodiesel program to be proposed later. The plan also includes high goals for reducing energy consumption by government agencies and in households.
Date Implemented:
Status: In Force; Mandatory
Funding Information:
Targets: The strategy aims to reduce energy consumption by 13% in 2008 and 20% in 2009. It aims to cut oil consumption by 15% by 2008. 10% is the target set for the increase in use of natural gas for vehicles (by Dec 2008)
References: Ministry of Energy, News, Resolution at Cabinet Retreat Meeting
http://www.energy.go.th/en/newsDetail.asp?id=253
Thailand: New energy strategic plan
Targets for promotion of alternative energy and energy efficiency: reducing the total energy consumption by 20%. Reducing oil for transportation by 25% by 2009 (with use of natural gas, gasohol and biodiesel). Increasing the contribution of biodiesel to 8.5 million litre per day (10% of diesel consumption) by 2012. Reducing the energy consumption in the industrial sector of 25% by 2008. Reducing the energy consumption in the public offices of 10-15% immediately. Transforming the agricultural sector into a modern energy supply base
Date Implemented: 2005
Status: In Force; Framework Policy
References: http://www.jgsee.kmutt.ac.th/new/announcement/27/01%20Naksitte%20(9.35-10.05).pdf
Thailand: New Thai Constitution
Regarding natural resources and the environment, the new constitution affirms the peoples’ right to participation. These include: the rights of local communities in conserving natural resources; the right of the public to a good environment and project developers’ responsibility to properly carry out environmental impact assessments; the right to access to public information; the right of participation in the planning of development projects that may have environmental impacts; the responsibility of the government to promote and support local participation in conservation and utilization of natural resources; and the decentralization of power to local administration to manage, maintain and utilize their local natural resources.
Date Implemented: 1997
Status: In Force; Framework Policy
References: National Communication to the UNFCCC
Thailand: Reforestation program
This program was designed to encourage rural households to plant trees on their land. Farmers were granted subsidies of 3,000 baht per rai over 5 years to plant trees, and were allowed to harvest the trees after a certain period.
Date Implemented: 1994-1996
Status: Voluntary
Targets: The goal was to cover 800,000 hectares (5 million rai), but only about 320,000 hectares (2 million rai) of land actually were reforested under the program.
References: National Communication to the UNFCCC
Thailand: Revising rules for very small power producers (VSPP) to reward production of electricity from renewable sources
The Energy Ministry has revived a plan to buy electricity from very small hydropower producers by including them in the government-sponsored Very Small Power Producers (VSPP) programme, which aims to increase the incomes of communities with small electricity plants. Electricity generated by the small hydropower plants will be sold to the grid system of the Provincial Electricity Authority (PEA), according to Energy Minister Piyasvasti Amranand.
Date Implemented: 2005
Status: In Force; Voluntary
References: http://www.palangthai.org/en/story/84
Thailand: Small Power Producer (SPP) program
The Thai government supports the development of renewable and non-conventional electricity production and cogeneration. SPPs can sell electricity to EGAT for distribution or to consumers located near the plant provided that this energy is generated using hydro, biomass or thermal cogeneration. Under this program, one enterprise is developing power plants fueled by rice husk.
Date Implemented: 1992
Status: In Force; Voluntary
References: EIA: Thailand’s Environmental Issues
Thailand: Solar Power
In an effort to decrease dependence on foreign imports for electricity production, the Thai government is constructing a 42.5 MW solar power plant in the northern province at Mae Hong Son. The government has also undertaken a project to supply 300,000 homes with solar cells to generate additional solar energy.
Date Implemented: 2004
Status: In Force; Government Initiative
Targets: the Thai government is planning to increase its solar power production capacity to 30 MW by 2006
References: EIA: Thailand’s Environmental Issues
Thailand: Strategic Plan for Energy Efficiency
In order to achieve the targeted energy elasticity reduction, measures have been established focusing on the two major energy intensive sectors, namely, the transportation and industrial sectors which hold a share of 37% and 36% of energy demand respectively. Measures in transportation sector:
Switch the mode of transport, for both passengers and freight, from cars and light trucks to the rail system.
Develop efficient networks of multimodal transport.
Promote the use of energy-efficient vehicles.
Use the town & country planning system in determining goods transport routes.
Introduce tax measures to induce energy conservation in the transportation sector.
Measures in industrial sector:
Speeding up the industrial structure reform to enhance the competitive edge of the country as well as review the investment promotion policy, attaching greater importance to the energy aspect and economic value.
Devising tax measures to promote energy conservation in factories and goods transportation. Interested industries can submit a petition for tax exemption and apply for energy conservation plan development on a voluntary basis.
Speeding up the implementation of the following:
enforcement of the Minimum Energy Performance Standards (MEPS) for electrical appliances and energy-efficiency labeling for cars;
establishment of the Energy Conservation Certification for factories; and
promotion of energy production systems with efficient combined use of energy, such as the co-generation system in the industrial estates and the district heating/cooling system.
Date Implemented: 2003
Status: In Force; Framework Policy
Funding Information: The sources of capital can be from the investment of the private sector, the public sector and various energy funds, for example, the Oil Fund and the Energy Conservation Promotion Fund.
Targets: Increase the contribution of commercial RE to the total primary energy demand from 0.5% to 8% by 2011 (5% RPS for the power sector). Reduce the energy elasticity of the country (ratio of energy demand growth to GDP growth) from the current 1.4:1 to 1:1 by the year 2007. If the energy elasticity can be reduced to 1:1 by 2007, the national expenditures for energy of the country can be reduced by 3.1 trillion Baht during the period 2007-2017.
References: http://www.eppo.go.th/doc/strategy2546/strategy.html
Thailand: Strategic Plan for Renewable Energy Development
Establish the regulation or legal enforcement on the Renewable Portfolio Standard (RPS) for new power plants that 4% of their generation capacity must be generated by renewable energy such as solar, wind or biomass. Devise incentive measures encouraging purchase of power generated by renewable energy, for example, provision of tax credit, privilege, and subsidies from the Energy Conservation Promotion Fund.
Support research and development (R&D) on renewable energy of which Thailand has high potential, such as solar, micro-hydropower, wind and biomass (agricultural wastes and municipal wastes). Encourage participation and partnership of the local communities in renewable energy-fueled power plants.
Status: In Force; Framework Policy
Targets: To increase the share of renewable energy from 0.5% of the commercial primary energy, or 265 thousand tons of crude oil equivalent (ktoe), in 2002 to 8% of the commercial primary energy, or 6,540 ktoe, by the year 2011. The country’s total power supply by 2011 could include 250 megawatts (MW) of solar, 100 MW of wind, 100 MW of solid waste, 350 MW of hydro and 1,040 MW of biomass-generated electricity.
References: http://www.eppo.go.th/doc/strategy2546/strategy.html
Thailand: Thailand’s National Energy Policy and Development Plan
Short Term: Restructure and Improve the Energy Industry Management, Procure Energy, Promote Energy Conservation and Energy Efficiency, Promote Alternative Energy Suitable for Thailand in order to diversify fuel types and reduce dependency on energy import, Establish the Energy Price Structure, Establish Measures Pertaining to Clean Energy to reduce the environmental impact resulting from various forms of energy industry operation, Promote the Private Sector and General Public Participation in Policy-Making. Long Term:
Date Implemented: 2006
Status: In Force; Framework Policy
Targets: Energy Supply, Sustainable Energy Development, Energy Efficiency, Promotion of Competition in the Energy Business
References: http://www.eppo.go.th/doc/gov-policy-2549/energy-policy-2006.html
Thailand: The Enhancement and Conservation of Environmental Quality Act
The Act is the principal instrument to address environmental issues. It promotes natural resource conservation and environmental protection. It requires the preparation of long-term environmental policies and medium-term action plans, introducing the 20-year natural resource and environmental policy and 5-year action plan. It empowers the authorities to declare environmentally unstable areas “Pollution Control Zones” or “Environmental Conservation Zones”. These areas get priority in terms of financial and human resources assistance to protect natural resources and the environment. It establishes the Environment Fund to grant loans and aid money for environmental projects and programs. It grants the National Environment Board the power to issue and modify Environmental Quality Standards and set emissions standards. It requires that Environmental Impact Assessments be carried out for projects with potentially adverse impacts on the environment. It also allows entities to request financial assistance from the government for the installation of equipment, tools or procedures that benefit the environment.
Date Implemented: 1992
Status: In Force; Framework Policy
References: National Communication to the UNFCCC; Thailand’s Pollution Control Department
http://www.pcd.go.th/infoserv/enreg_envi.html