Current Situation and Challenges of Waste Management in Thailand

Abstract

Thailand covers an area of 513,120 km2 and is located in the southern region of the continent of Asia. The total population was around 67.2 million in 2016. With increasing population growth, city expansion and rapid industrialization, generated 27.37 tonnes of waste in 2017. Thailand government has recognized problems associated with solid, hazardous, and electronic waste generation and issued policies/regulations to support the waste management system. Initiatives such as roadmap for municipal and hazardous waste, national master plan on cleaner production and cleaner technology, and national integrated e-waste management strategy have been introduced to improve the waste management system. However, there are many issues preventing the implementation of a successful waste management system in Thailand. Society has suffered from waste mismanagement because of lack of awareness and realistically applicable technology. There are also weaknesses in the processes of public participation, policy implementation, and institutional support.