Thailand
Population (thousand) (2015): 67,959.36
Multidimensional Poverty Index Value (2005-2006): 0.01
Inequality-adjusted Human Development Index, Country Rank (2014): 93
Gross Domestic Product per capita, at Purchasing Price Parity (2015) (US$): 16,305.5
Background
The PEI programme in Thailand was initiated in 2010 and runs to April 2013. Thailand has achieved remarkable economic growth in the past decade, but this has brought undesirable social and environmental impacts. Rising per capita consumption, industrialization and the intensification of agriculture have led to a deterioration of natural resources. Overall distribution of income is uneven and incidences of poverty remain high amongst rural populations.
To support the government in addressing these challenges and promoting sustainable development, the PEI Thailand programmefocuses on inclusive planning and budgeting at national and provincial levels. Related objectives include benefit sharing arrangements from ecosystem services, awareness raising and the engagement of the private sector to support sustainable development. Thereby the country program is contributing to the achievement of national development goals and the overall PEI Programme outputs.
At the central level, PEI Thailand is led by theMinistry of Interior and works in close partnership with the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment and the National Economic and Social Development Board. At the regional level PEI is led by the respective Regional Environmental Offices and Provincial Administrations in Samut Songkram, Nan and Khon Kaen, PEI Thailand is implemented with support from UNDP Thailand.
- Scientific data on the linkages between human wellbeing and the environment have laid the basis for Sustainable Development in three provinces. Three Sub Global Assessment processes, that identify the condition and trend of ecosystem services were conducted in KhonKaen, Samut Songkran and Nan provinces. Provincial and local administrations now make better use of area-based development planning tools (spatial planning, community based research, and payments for ecosystem services).
- In Nan province, the Provincial Administration has been supported to better manage corn-based livestock farming through investments in watershed management and more secure land tenure. A Geographical Information System Centre, co-funded jointly by Nan province and PEI, was established to serve local communities with community land surveys and mapping to better advocate for community land entitlement issues.
- Nan’s provincial agriculture office actively participated in the scenario-building process associated with the Sub-Global Assessment (SGA) on Ecosystems and Human Well-Being. In 2012, the office adopted the four agricultural scenarios developed through the SGA to be used as a basis for formulating their next provincial agricultural plan 2014-2017. Nan’s Provincial Administration Organisation has allocated 50,000 USD annually since 2010 to improve community land management, including advocacy on community land entitlements and a watershed fund has been established.
- In KhonKaen province, the Regional Environmental Office is better managing the expansion of ethanol production in the area of the Phong River Basin. Building on improved capacity on P-E mainstreaming tools the sub-district Bua Ngeon applied the economic valuation methodology to advocate for funding from the local administration organizations to protect and conserve the forest from food and energy crop plantations. The local administration allocated 100,000USD to create a natural road between the encroached community forest and the farm land after realizing the important value provided by the forest to the local poor community’s wellbeing.
- In SamutSongkram province, the Regional Environment Office is working with local government officials and the private sector to better manage rapid industrialization and mass tourism.
Integrated Ecosystem Assessment
Understanding the governmental, political and institutional context
Study visits
School of Environment, Resources and Development:
A non-governmental organization focusing on environmental issues and the conservation of natural resources.
CBT-I supports Thai communities to develop small-scale tourism programs in partnership with local communities, Thai government, NGO’s, academics and selected tour operators with a commitment to sustainable, responsible tourism.
The objective of the TBCSD is to promote environmental awareness within the business sector under the concept of sustainable development.