Soil-Related Laws in Thailand

Abstract

AbstractRapid economic development and urbanization are changing land management systems in many countries, including Thailand, and climate change has emerged as a significant source of risks. These changes are having major impacts on the status of soil resources in Thailand. Therefore, the soils are under increasing pressure of intensification leading to soil degradation including erosion, contamination, the decline in nutrients, compaction, salinization, acidification, and biodiversity loss of soils. Therefore, sustainable soil management is important for maintaining the capacity of soil to function according to its potential and management strategies, which is essential for the maintenance of human well-being and the conservation of biodiversity. In addition, any assessment of soil threats, measures against soil threats, and their effects on soil functions and ecosystem services should consider local conditions, national and global strategies e.g. biophysical characteristics, economic society, policies, and laws. In Thailand, soil and land protection are regulated by legislation and land use planning document such as the Forest Act and the National Forest Act, the Law on Environmental Protection, the Law on Land Protection, and the Law on Agricultural Land. Land use planning regulations represent the basis for supervision of the land use of all types and purposes and the management of natural resources, implementing guidelines for space preservation and protection, and measures of sustainable use of land resources. Furthermore, there is a pressing need to determine the status of sustainable soil management efforts and raise awareness of soil in Thailand.