Monthip S. Tabucanon, DEQP, MOSTE, Thailand

For more than 30 years, the Royal Thai Government has prepared 5-year National Economic and Social Development Plans to help guide the social and economic development of the country. Thailand recently started the 9th National Economic and Social Development Plan (2002-2006). The development pattern of Thailand has followed from an agricultural based economy to an agroindustrial and industrial-oriented economy.

The rapid economic growth in Thailand has contributed to a drastic decline of natural resource stock and environmental quality. The rapid expansion of coastal aquaculture has led to a drastic deterioration of coastal resources. In the 9th plan, Thailand increased efforts to conserve ocean and coastal resources. The efforts have helped reduce substantially the stress on the coastal resources. Thailand has also begun to promote local participation in management of coastal resources, especially of coral reefs and commercial exploitation of seaweed. Sustainable traditional coastal fishing has been promoted, while environmental control over shrimp farming has been increased.

The new Environmental Quality Promotion Act. has improved coastal management. Environment Protection Zones (EPZ) have been declared in several areas to strengthen local capability in environmental management. The Environmental Fund has been utilized to promoted urban environmental management in some coastal areas.

The paper sees the need for promoting sustainable development in coastal management. The demand for sustainable development would need to be created through public participation programme. This will require a joint effort of various organization on the public and private sectors.

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