Public Participation in Environmental and Health Impact Assessment Process: A Case Study of Pollution Control Zone, Rayong Province.

Abstract

The objectives of this study were to explore; (1) the knowledge and understanding about the participation in the process of the environmental and health impact assessment of people living in the pollution control zone, Rayong province; (2) the level of public participation; (3) the problems and barriers of public participation, and (4) the appropriate approach of public participation.

The survey was conducted by a multi-stage random sampling of 400 people who meet the inclusion criteria which were: people living in pollution control zone, over 20 years of age, and able to read, write and speak Thai. Data were collected using a questionnaire which had the reliability of the questions about knowledge and understanding (KR-20 = 0.70). The questions about public participation has good internal consistency with a Cronbach's alpha of 0.82, as well as the questions about problems and barriers of public participation (α = 0.80). The data collected was analyzed using percentage, mean, and standard deviation.

This study revealed that; (1) 54.25 percent of the respondents have a medium level of knowledge and understanding; (2) the participation of the respondents with the environmental and health impact assessment were at low level, with a mean of 2.07.; (3) the respondents had problems and faced with barriers in the process of environmental and health impact assessment at moderate level, with a mean of 3.39.; (4) the majority of the respondents (94.22%) were agreed on the guidelines for environmental and health impact assessment of the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environmental by stating that the guidelines were appropriate.

Suggestions; (1) the relevant authorities should establish procedures to promote and increase public participation as well as to reduce barriers of public participation; and (2) more resear studies should be conducted to determine the appropriate time frame for each step of public participation in the environmental and health impact assessment.