THAILAND

Ministries and Coordination Mechanism

Several key authorities are working to solve the marine plastic litter issue in Thailand: these include the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment through the Pollution Control Department, Department of Marine and Coastal Resources, the Office of Natural Resources and Environmental Policy and Planning, the Department of Environmental Quality Promotion;, the Ministry of Public Health through the Department of Health;, the Ministry of Industry through the Department of Industrial Work;, and the Ministry of Interior through the Department of Local Administration and the National and Provincial Waste Management Committee.

The Pollution Control Department and the Department of Marine and Coastal Resources develop action plans, measures, and technical guidance. The Office of Natural Resources and Environmental Policy and Planning develops general policies and plans, supports their effective implementation, and monitors the effort to mitigate environmental impact. The Department of Environmental Quality Promotion inculcates social awareness and readiness to support the sustainability of the environment and natural resources. The Department of Health collaborates with the Pollution Control Department in formulating plans and standards. The Department of Industrial Work  deals with  the waste generated from the industrial sector. The Department of Local Administration allocates duties to local government authorities and helps them formulate plans. The National and Provincial Waste Management Committee approves outsourcing and any kind of private business engaged in municipal solid waste management.

The latest coordination of municipal solid waste management was developed under the new policy of educating people about the new national rules on municipal solid waste treatment. The effort is being undertaken by the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment, the Ministry of Education, and local administration organisations to raise awareness on waste segregation at source (Funatsu, 2019).

The coordination goes beyond governmental scope. The Thailand Public Private Partnership (PPP) for Plastic and Waste Management or PPP Plastic is a partnership between ministries and private organisations. It was established on 05 June 2018, led by Thailand Business Council for Sustainable Development and Plastic Industry Club of the Federation of Thai Industries, working to drive sustainable management of plastic waste with various sectors. So far in 2022, 39 organizations has joined, including government agencies, such as the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment, the Ministry of Interior, the Ministry of Industry, Ministry of Higher Education, Science, Research and Innovation, and the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration; as well as private companies, international organizations, and educational institutes. PPP Plastic has a main goal in supporting and driving Thailand’s Roadmap on Plastic Waste Management 2018–2030 to achieve its target in reducing the amount of plastic waste in Thailand’s seas by 2027. It specifically aims to (1) reduce and eliminate the use of targeted plastics by using environmentally friendly products, and (2) reuse the targeted plastic waste at 100% by 2027.

References

Funatsu, T. (2019), ‘Municipal Solid Waste Management in Thai Local Governments: The State of the Problem and Prospects for Regional Waste Management’, in M. Kojima (ed.) Toward Regional Cooperation of Local Governments in ASEAN. Institute of Developing Economies and Economic Research Institute for ASEAN and East Asia, pp.1–22.

National Laws and Regulation

Although Thailand has conducted several efforts to manage plastic waste, most remain voluntary actions with limited legal measures (Wichai‑utcha and Chavalparit, 2019). However, several legal frameworks support the effort.

First, the Enhancement and Conservation of National Environmental Quality Act B.E. 2535 (1992) is the fundamental environmental law that governs the planning for environmental management, monitoring environmental quality, and establishing the system for environmental impact assessment (Siriratpiriya, 2014). Section 23(1) of the Act cites grants to a government agency or local administration for investment in and operation of a central waste disposal facility, including the acquisition and procurement of land, materials, equipment, instruments, tools, and appliances necessary for the operation and maintenance of such facility. Section 80 requires waste disposal facility owners or possessors to submit a report summarising the functioning results of the facility.

Second, the Public Health Act B.E. 2535 (1992) provides local government the power and duty to prescribe rules, procedures, and measures to manage and maintain the collection, transportation, and disposal of sewage and solid waste with provisions of the ministerial regulation (Section 20). Section 7 states that local government may issue or amend local provisions and prescribe details of operation in the locality.

Third, the Act on the Maintenance of the Cleanliness and Orderliness of the Country B.E. 2535 (1992) regulates the prohibition on waste littering, including cars littering on roads (Section 13), places where grass or trees grow (Section 26), and littering on waterways and other public spaces (Section 31–33). As amended on 16 January 2017, the Act outlines the authority of local administration organisations to collect and manage waste under supervision of the provinces and the Ministry of Interior (Funatsu, 2019).

Fourth, the National Health Act B.E. 2550 (2007), especially Section 5, cites the right of every individual to live in a healthy environment and the duty to cooperate with state agencies (including national, provincial, and local governments) to create such an environment.

Fifth, the Constitution of the Kingdom of Thailand B.E. 2560 (2017), especially Section 58 declares that the State shall undertake a study and assess the impact on environmental quality and health of the people or community and shall arrange a public hearing of relevant stakeholders, people and communities in advance in order to let them consider before the actual implementation or granting of permission as provided by the law.

References

Funatsu, T. (2019), ‘Municipal Solid Waste Management in Thai Local Governments: The State of the Problem and Prospects for Regional Waste Management’, in M. Kojima (ed.) Toward Regional Cooperation of Local Governments in ASEAN. Institute of Developing Economies and Economic Research Institute for ASEAN and East Asia, pp.1–22.

Government of Thailand (1992), Enhancement and Conservation of National Environmental Quality Act B.E. 2535 (1992)http://thailaws.com/law/t_laws/tlaw0280.pdf (accessed 01 November 2019).

Government of Thailand (1992), Public Health Act B.E. 2535 (1992)http://thailaws.com/law/t_laws/tlaw0223.pdf (accessed 01 November 2019).

Government of Thailand (1992), Act on the Maintenance of the Cleanliness and Orderliness of the Country B.E. 2535 (1992)http://www.thailandntr.com/en/trade-in-services/laws/organization/download/283 (accessed 01 November 2019).

Government of Thailand (2007), National Health Act B.E. 2550 (2007)http://thailaws.com/law/t_laws/tlaw0368.pdf (accessed 01 November 2019).

Government of Thailand (2017), Constitution of the Kingdom of Thailand B.E. 2560 (2017)http://www.ratchakitcha.soc.go.th/DATA/PDF/2560/A/040/1.PDF (accessed 18 March 2022).

Siriratpiriya, O. (2014), ‘Municipal Solid Waste Management in Thailand: Challenges and Strategic Solution’, in A. Pariatamby and M. Tanaka (eds.) Municipal Solid Waste Management in Asia and the Pacific Islands. Singapore: Springer-Verlag, pp.337–54.

Wichai‑utcha, N. and O. Chavalparit (2019), ‘3Rs Policy and Plastic Waste Management in Thailand’, Journal of Material Cycles and Waste Management, 21(1), pp.10–22.

Local Regulations

Local government in Thailand is divided into thesabans (municipalities) in cities, districts, subdistricts, and provincial administrative organizations (PAOs); tambons (rural) administrative organizations (TAOs); and special administrative areas, namely Bangkok, the capital and most urbanised city, and Pattaya, the biggest international tourist destination (Nagai et al., 2007). Local governments are generally responsible in handling and managing waste in their areas (Akenji et al., 2019).

Section 50(3) of the Thesaban (Municipal) Act B.E. 2496 (1953) declares that it is the responsibility of thesaban to clean roads, pathways, and public places and rid them of waste. Section 54(11) engages the local government to improve slums and keep them clean. Some famous cities such as Phuket and Hadjai are leading municipality models, with their stable financial backgrounds, and have introduced efficient methods of municipal solid waste management such as incineration. The duties of PAOs are specified in the Provincial Administrative Organization Act B.E. 2540 (1997). For tambons, the Tambon Council and Tambon Administrative Organization Act B.E. 2537 (1994) requires TAOs to keep roads, waterways, paths, and public places clean and to provide garbage and sewage services in their responsible area (Section 67[2]). As a special administrative area, Bangkok  implements the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration Act B.E. 2528 (1985) and Pattaya implements the Pattaya City Administration Act B.E. 2542 (1999) (Administrative Court of Thailand, 2013).

1. Bangkok Metropolitan Administration

The Public Health Act B.E. 2535 (1992) requires each local government to deliver power and handle municipal solid waste management in its jurisdiction (Section 18). The Bangkok Metropolitan Administration Act B.E. 2528 (1985), Section 89 (Manomaivibool, 2005) states: ‘Subject to other Laws, it is the duty of Bangkok Metropolitan Authority to do the following in its territory: …(4) maintain the country cleanliness and orderliness…, (14) develop and conserve the environment….’ The Bangkok Metropolitan Administration can impose detailed regulations on municipal solid waste management, including waste collection fees (Manomaivibool, 2005).

2. Pattaya City Administrative Authority

Section 62 of the Pattaya City Administration Act B.E. 2542 (1999) states: ‘Subject to this Act, it is the duty of Pattaya City Administrative Authority to do the following in its territory: … (7) keep the country clean and tidy, (8) disposal of waste and wastewater treatment ….” The Pattaya City Administrative Authority outsources solid waste management to a professional private contractor, which will provide all major phases of solid waste processing, such as collecting, transporting, and disposing (Anantanatorn et al., 2015). The Pattaya City Administrative Authority provides the Pattaya City Solid Waste Management Term of Reference 2015–2019 to regulate the service process, which includes some policies on three phases: employing door-to-door methods of garbage collection, garbage bulk tank stations, and big-container garbage stations; transporting in compacted volume; and disposing garbage into landfills that can handle 400–450 tonnes of solid waste (Anantanatorn et al., 2015).

References

Administrative Court of Thailand (2013), The Administrative Judge and Environmental Lawhttps://www.aihja.org/images/users/114/files/Congress_of_Cartagena_-_Report_of_Thailand_2013-THAILAND-EN.pdf (accessed 06 November 2019).

Akenji, L., M. Bengtsson, M. Kato, M. Hengesbaugh, Y. Hotta, C. Aoki-Suzuki, P.J.D. Gamaralalage, and C. Liu (2019), Circular Economy and Plastics: A Gap-Analysis in ASEAN Member States. Brussels: European Commission Directorate General for Environment and Directorate General for International Cooperation and Development, Jakarta: Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN).

Anantanatorn, A., S. Yossomsakdi, A.F. Wijaya, and S. Rochma (2015), ‘Public Service Management in Local Government, Thailand (Case Study of Solid Waste Management in Pattaya City)’, International Journal of Applied Sociology, 5(1), pp.5–15.

Government of Bangkok (1985), Bangkok Metropolitan Administration Act B.E. 2528https://en.wikisource.org/wiki/Bangkok_Metropolitan_Administration_Act,_BE_2528_(1985)/2007.08.01#c-114 (accessed 06 November 2019).

Government of Pattaya (1999), Pattaya City Administration Act B.E. 2542 (1999).

Government of Thailand (1992), Public Health Act B.E. 2535 (1992)http://thailaws.com/law/t_laws/tlaw0223.pdf (accessed 08 November 2019).

Government of Thailand (1997). Provincial Administrative Organization Act B.E. 2540 (1997)http://www.ratchakitcha.soc.go.th/DATA/PDF/2540/A/062/1.PDF (accessed 18 March 2022).

Manomaivibool, P. (2005), Municipal Solid Waste Management in Bangkok: The Cases of the Promotion of Source Reduction and Source Separation in Bangkok and in Roong Aroon School. Lund: IIIEE.

Nagai, F., K. Ozaki, and Y. Kimata (2007), Analysis from a Capacity Development Perspective: JICA Program on Capacity Building of Thai Local Authorities. Tokyo: Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA).

Action Plans and Roadmaps

Thailand has comprehensive action plans and roadmaps to tackle marine plastic litter, which indicates the country’s serious intention to combat this global issue. In May 2016, the National Solid Waste Management Master Plan (2016–2021) was created, and the responsibility for its implementation handed over to the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment and the Ministry of Interior. Table 1 lists the waste management targets in the master plan.

Table 1. Items and Targets on Waste Management

Thailand : Action Plans and Roadmaps (Table 1)

Item Targets By Year
Municipal solid waste Properly manage more than 75% of total amount of municipal solid waste 2021
Properly manage the 100% accumulated municipal solid waste generated in 2015 2019
Engage more than 50% of total local authorities to conduct waste segregation at source 2021
Industrial waste Properly manage 100% of industrial waste 2020
Hazardous waste Collect and properly dispose of more than 30% of total household hazardous waste 2021 
Properly manage 100% of infectious medical waste 2020

Source: Pollution Control Department (2016)Akenji et al. (2019).

To support the implementation of the master plan, authorities have developed follow-up actions, including activities, plans, and/or roadmaps. Table 2 lists follow-up actions in support of the master plan.

Table 2. Follow-up Actions to Support the Master Plan

Thailand : Action Plans and Roadmaps (Table 2)

Action Year Aims Authority in Charge
Establish the ‘Thailand Zero Waste Action Plan (2016–2017)’ 2016 Achieve short-term targets:

  • reduce 5% of municipal solid waste disposed
  • install household hazardous waste collection centres in 100% of communities
  • properly dispose of 70% of industrial waste
  • properly dispose of 85% of infectious waste
Department of Local Administration
Establish the ‘Plastic Debris Management Plan (2017–2021)’ 2017 Introduce and encourage environment-friendly design for packaging and plastic substitution; develop material flow for plastic packaging; implement 3R (reduce, reuse, recycle) strategy; and enhance education for relevant stakeholders Pollution Control Department
Establish the ‘National Roadmap for Development of Bioplastic Industry’ 2017 Design easily degradable plastic for marketing production and to make the country a bioplastic hub Ministry of Industry
Establish the National Reform Committee including Subcommittee on Natural Resources and Environment Reform 2017 Address the issue of marine debris under a steering group Government of Thailand
Formulate the 2018 Municipal Solid Waste Management Action Plan 2018 Set targets by 2018:

  • properly dispose of 40% of waste generation
  • upgrade 20% of improper disposal sites
  • utilise and recycle 30% of municipal solid waste
  • install household hazardous waste collection sites in 100% of communities
Department of Local Administration
Establish three working groups under the Plastic Waste Management Subcommittee of the National Environment Board 2018 Guide the development of policies on reducing unnecessary packaging and products. Each working group shall have different responsibilities: one to develop plastic management mechanisms, one to conduct promotion and public relations, and one to develop and utilise plastic waste Government of Thailand
Completely prohibit the use of plastic bags in the 30 hospitals under the Department of Medical Services 2018 Reduce single plastic use Department of Medical Services (Ministry of Public Health)
Conduct relevant campaigns in 7,000 locations nationwide 2018 Involve schools, government offices, department stores, convenience stores, and open markets in raising public awareness and education towards marine plastic litter Department of Environmental Quality Promotion and Ministry of Interior
Formulate the 10-year plan for plastic and plastic wastes management as the ‘Thailand’s Roadmap on Plastic Waste Management 2018–2030’ 2019 Replace plastics with environment-friendly materials under the following policies:

  • ban by 2019 plastic cap seals, oxo-degradable plastic products, and microbeads
  • ban by 2022 lightweight plastic bags (less than 36 microns thick), food containers made from foam, single-use plastic cups, and plastic straws
  • ensure by 2027 the 100% plastic waste reuse
Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment

Source: Weerathaworn (2013); Akenji et al. (2019)Wichai‑utcha and Chavalparit (2019).

Table 3 lists the step-by-step targets in the ‘Thailand’s Roadmap on Plastic Waste Management 2018–2030’.

Table 3. Detail Targets in the Thailand’s Roadmap on Plastic Waste Management 2018–2030

Thailand : Action Plans and Roadmaps (Table 3)

Target Time Frame
Phase 1 Phase 2 Phase 3
2018 2019 2020 2021 2022 2023 2024 2025 2026 2027 2028 2029 2030
Ban the use of: Plastic cap seals 80% 100%
Oxo-degradable plastic products 100%
Microbeads 100%
Lightweight plastic bags (less than 36 microns thick) 25% 50% 75% 100%
Food containers made from foam 25% 50% 75% 100%
Single-use plastic cups (less than 100 microns thick) 25% 50% 75% 100%
Plastic straws (exceptions for children, patients, and the elderly) 25% 50% 75% 100%
Reuse and recycle (including energy recovery) the targeted plastic waste, including thick plastic bags, plastic utensils, plastic bottles, plastic box/tray, plastic film packaging, thick plastic cups, and plastic lids. 22% 25% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90% 100%

Source: Pollution Control Department (2018).

In November 2021, Thailand passed a resolution agreeing with Action Plan on Plastic Waste Management Phase I (2020-2022). Detail targets in the Action Plan are listed in Table 4. This Action Plan has developed measures, plans and projects that establish rules, regulations and procedures, including but not limited, to prevent dumping of waste into the sea and establish guidelines to prevent and address plastic waste issues in the sea for tourism business and marine transportation.

Table 4. Detail Targets in the Action Plan on Plastic Waste Management Phase I (2020–2022)

Thailand : Action Plans and Roadmaps (Table 4)

Indicators Baseline in 2019 (ton/year) Target (% or ton/year)
2020 2021 2022
1. Reduce and stop using targeted single-use plastics. - 50% 75% 100%
1.1 Lightweight plastic bags (less than 36 microns thick) 345,522 171,261 256,892 345,522
1.2 Food containers made from foam 15,176 7,588 11,382 15,176
1.3 Single-use plastic cups (less than 100 microns thick) 22,679 11,340 17,009 22,679
1.4 Plastic straws 3,647 1,824 2,735 3,647
2. Recycle at least 50% of targeted plastic waste by applying circular economy principle. Targeted plastic waste includes plastic bag (HDPE, LLDPE, LDPE, PP), single-layer plastic packaging films (HDPE, LL/LDPE), plastic bottle (all kinds), bottle cap, plastic cap, food tray/container, and cutlery. - 30% 40% 50%
1,390,865 417,260 556,364 695,433

Source: Pollution Control Department (2021).

References

Akenji, L., M. Bengtsson, M. Kato, M. Hengesbaugh, Y. Hotta, C. Aoki-Suzuki, P.J.D. Gamaralalage, and C. Liu (2019), Circular Economy and Plastics: A Gap-Analysis in ASEAN Member States. Brussels: European Commission Directorate General for Environment and Directorate General for International Cooperation and Development, Jakarta: Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN).

Pollution Control Department (2016), National Solid Waste Management Master Plan (2016–2021). Pollution Control Department. http://www.pcd.go.th/public/Publications/print_waste.cfm?task=WasteMasterPlan (accessed 01 November 2019).

Pollution Control Department (2018), Thailand’s Roadmap on Plastic Waste Management 2018–2030. Pollution Control Department.

Pollution Control Department (2021), Action Plan on Plastic Waste Management Phase I (2020-2022)https://www.pcd.go.th/publication/15038/ (accessed 18 March 2022).

Weerathaworn, P. (2013), ‘Trend of Bioplastic Industry in Thailand’, Plastic Foresight, 8(2), pp.12–20.

Wichai‑utcha, N. and O. Chavalparit (2019), ‘3Rs Policy and Plastic Waste Management in Thailand’, Journal of Material Cycles and Waste Management, 21(1), pp.10–22.