Importance of context in adoption and progress in application of strategic environmental assessment: Experience of Thailand

Journal Article · Fri Apr 15 04:00:00 EDT 2011 · Environmental Impact Assessment Review

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1016/j.eiar.2011.01.001· OSTI ID:21499669

Wirutskulshai, Uma; Sajor, Edsel; Coowanitwong, Nowarat

Following the example of other developed countries, strategic environmental assessment (SEA) tool is now being introduced in developing countries, with the expectations, among others, that it will influence decision-making process in planning, and also usher in the participatory and collaborative planning towards a more sustainable track in development. This article examines Thailand's own recent introduction of SEA. The authors underscore the particularity of the Thai planning context as well as the broader governance structure and processes in the country as the critical factor influencing the extent, substance and form of adoption of SEA. Top-down tradition of planning and serious limitation of public participation opportunity structures and institutional culture have minimized the tool's positive impact and influence in development planning. Thailand's experience in SEA introduction thus reaffirms the important lesson from a number of other developing countries: that legal framework for SEA is necessary and critical especially in its initial adoption; and, that public participation needs to be supported too and institutionalized for the tool to fulfill its promise of improving environmental governance and optimizing potentials of development projects vis-a-vis various social and environmental concerns.

• OSTI ID: 21499669
• Journal Information: Environmental Impact Assessment Review, Journal Name: Environmental Impact Assessment Review Journal Issue: 3 Vol. 31; ISSN 0195-9255; ISSN EIARDK
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES
ASIA
DECISION MAKING
DEVELOPED COUNTRIES
DEVELOPING COUNTRIES
ENVIRONMENTAL AWARENESS
ENVIRONMENTAL EFFECTS
ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTS
LEGAL ASPECTS
OPTIMIZATION
PLANNING
PUBLIC OPINION
RESOURCE ASSESSMENT
THAILAND