Proceedings of The International Conference on Social Sciences in the 21st Century
Year: 2019
DOI: https://www.doi.org/10.33422/ics21.2019.07.382
Environmental Governance in Power Plant Project: A Case Study from Thailand
Chutarat Chompunth
ABSTRACT:
In Thailand, energy and power plant project issues have been one of the key topics circulating in public attention. The disagreement and conflict from the operation of the power plant become worsened. Thus, the power plant is required to comply with all terms and conditions to meet all legal and environmental compliance. This research has the objective to study the operation of The BLCP Power Plant in accordance with the principle of environmental governance, as well as the success factors and problems or obstacles in order to promote and support the operation of the BLCP Power Plant in accordance with good environmental governance. This research is a qualitative research. Data were collected through in-depth interviews with stakeholders and the study of relevant documents. The main application of The Access Initiative (TAI) was applied as the indicators focused on the evaluation of the “process” which consists of 3 categories: access to information, participation in the decision-making process and access to justice. The study showed that the operation of The BLCP Power Plant is carried out in accordance with the principles of environmental governance and legal operation. This consists of the disseminating process of information through various media, establishment of a forum to hear the opinions and concerns of local people to encourage them to participate in the community’s environmental management. There is also a compensation process that provides aides, in cases where people are affected. The suggestion from this study is that power plants should provide knowledge and understanding within the community. There should be clear procedures for remedying those affected by the operation of the power plant. Also, the people must recognise their rights and duty, widen their perspective in order to achieve sustainable development in Thai society.
Keywords: Environmental Governance, Power Plant Project, Public Participation, Conflict.