This particular essay will discuss the environmental problems of Thailand, including what the causes are, the problems, and who is responsible. Also being discussed will be how the environmental problems of Thailand affect neighboring countries. Over the past few decades, Thailand is now facing environmental problems such as air pollution, water pollution, deforestation, soil erosion, the population of their wildlife is declining, water scarcity, and they also have issues regarding hazardous waste.[1] This essay will focus on the main environmental problems of Thailand.
First on the list of discussion is the air pollution. “Air pollution results from a variety of causes, not all of which are within human control.”[2] In order for humans to survive, clean air is essential especially regarding our health. The air pollution in Thailand is caused by transport (75% of vehicles on the road are motorcycles[3]), industry, power plants (relies on the use of fossil fuels), and area sources that include agricultural waste, other biomass waste, and forest fires.[4] The problem with air pollution is that it can cause serious health risks both short-term and long-term, such as bronchitis, pneumonia, headaches, nausea, allergic reactions, and it can aggravate asthma and emphysema. The long-term effects can include lung cancer, heart disease, chronic respiratory disease, and it can even damage the brain, nerves, liver, or kidney.[5] “One estimate in a WHO report indicates that as many as 2,000 heart disease deaths each year could be caused by current levels of air pollution.”[6] An important question is who exactly is responsible for the air pollution? People themselves are responsible for the problem of air pollution in Thailand; despite now having the air pollution within acceptable levels by national standards, it is the citizens, government, and companies that are at fault. It is in human nature to complain, however when the time comes to fix the problem by changing ones lifestyle, a human will only change what is absolutely necessary.
Water pollution in Thailand has become rather obvious in many areas, for example the Nam Phong River. “…the cleanliness of the water in rivers and lakes is threatened by pollution from human activities, agriculture and industries.”[7] Water pollution is more problematic the larger the community and the higher the population. Some causes for the water pollution in Thailand are the disposal of human waste, the disposal of waste from other daily household activities, dumping of waste from industrial plants etc. “…chemical contamination of waterways from factories or agriculture can create significant health risks.”[8] The health risks from being exposed to polluted water, either by drinking it or being immersed in it, are quite dangerous. It can result in typhoid, dysentery, hepatitis, trachoma, hookworm infection, diarrhea, skin disease, liver cancer, and birth defects.[9] Despite the fact that almost one third of the countries water has been considered unsuitable for humans, there have been efforts toward improving the state of water, such as limiting industrial water contamination, and investing in wastewater treatment plants. One would think that one’s government would do all that they could to keep their water as pollution free as possible. Water is one of the most vital things in the world, and it simply doesn’t make sense to render it almost useless via contamination by using it as a dumping ground. The main people responsible for the pollution of water in Thailand are the factories, industrial plants, and those who dispose untreated sewage in rivers or canals.
“Since 1970 the area of Thailand that is covered with forest has dwindled from about half to one-fourth.”[10] Deforestation for agriculture is one of the main reasons for its decline, and the deforestation is also causing many species to become endangered. The wildlife is being threatened not only by the loss of habitat, but also by game hunting, and the selling of wild animals as pets.[11] Obviously in this case, the main problems are that certain species of wildlife will become extinct should smuggling still occur despite the governments attempts at conservation policies and border checks. The other problem would be that even though there is a specific amount of land that is protected from being cleared, the effects of the air pollution and water pollution may end up damaging that small percentage despite efforts otherwise. Poachers and those selling wild animals are one of the main people who are responsible for the decline in the local wildlife, and they should be dealt with harshly as doing so would dissuade people from continuing such a profession. Those mainly responsible for deforestation are the logging companies, especially those who are poorly managed. If the companies were better managed, and used all their resources wisely, would the deforestation be as bad? What stops the companies, or the government, planting more trees in place of the ones cut down?
How have the problems affected neighboring countries? The countries bordering Thailand are: Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar, and Malaysia. Due to the air pollution, there has been a smoggy, grayish haze that has not only spread over northern Thailand, but also into those neighboring countries. Many are too busy pointing fingers and blame rather than attempting to fix the problem.[12] Water pollution can travel by way of river, but depending on how pollution-free the water from the surrounding countries are, it may be minimal; or the other countries may have wastewater plants. No matter what kind of environmental problem plagues any particular country, it always affects other countries in some form. Either by contaminating those countries slightly where large cities meet the border, or through the economy.
Undeniably, the strong economic growth has brought environmental problems to Thailand. However, despite the problems Thailand continues to be one of the few places that offers such diversity: jungles, mountains, rivers, countryside, temples, cities, villages etc. The main problem in the eyes of many however, is the poaching and capturing of the wildlife. It is a shame that such beautiful animals are becoming endangered due to the greed of humans. If Thailand were more strict with their environmental and wildlife laws, the country may become even more enthralling than what it already is. Every country has their problems, and it is the governments’ responsibility to correct those problems and nurture a bright future.
[1] Wikipedia, ‘Environmental Issues in Thailand’, 18 April 2009. Online at http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Environmental_issues_in_Thailand
[2] Encyclopaedia Britannica Standard Edition, ‘Air Pollution’, 2005.
[3] Wikipedia, ‘Environmental Issues in Thailand’, 18 April 2009.
[4] The World Bank Group, ‘Thailand Environment Monitor 2002’, 2002. Online at http://siteresource.worldbank.org/INTTHAILAND/Resources/Environment-Montitor/environment_monitor_2002_sources.pdf
[5] Berkeley Lab, ‘How can air pollution hurt my health?’, viewed on 11 June 2009. Online at http://www.lbl.gov/Education/ELSI/pollution-main.html
[6] Tord Kjellstrom, ‘Air Pollution, Water Pollution and Sanitation’, February 2006. Online at http://nceph.any.edu.au/Thai_Cohort_Study/General/Environment_newsarticles_KjellstronFeb06.pdf
[7] Tord Kjellstrom, ‘Air Pollution, Water Pollution and Sanitation’, February 2006.
[8] Tord Kjellstrom, ‘Air Pollution, Water Pollution and Sanitation’, February 2006.
[9] Wikipedia, ‘Environmental Issues in Thailand’, 18 April 2009.
[10] Encyclopaedia Britannica Standard Edition, ‘Thailand’, 2005.
[11] Thai Society for the Conservation of Wild Animals, ‘Thai Forests: Dept. National Parks, Wildlife & Plants’, viewed on 11 June 2009. Online at http://www.tscwa.org/forests/index.html
[12] Dr. Duongchan Apavatjrut Charoenmuang PhD, ‘The polluted air we breathe’, 10-04-07. Online at http://www.thailandqa.com/forum/showthread.php?t=13532
