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