Legal Measures for Pollution Control: Case Study of Ethanol Production Plant in Na Di Sub-District, Na Yia District, Ubon Ratchathani Province

Abstract

This is qualitative research and the aims are 1) study of legal measures in pollution control in Thailand and aboard 2) proposed legal amendments to make enforcement effective. The samples were contained two groups. The first group was affected by pollution of ethanol plant which was 19 community leaders and residents. The second group was lawyers and environmental experts which were 5 persons and the total respondents were 24. By In-depth interview. The datum is for analyze, result discussion, conclusion and suggestion. The results of the study revealed that: 1) legal measures in Thailand to regulate pollution have governed by several laws relating to pollution control. Some laws have restrictions on pollution control, consequently, environmental trial is delayed, ineffective remedy and cannot solve environmental problems 2) for legal amendment, and Thailand should regulate the act regarding the environmental trial law, establishment of Environmental Court and includes the mediation of environmental disputes. The National Environmental Quality Improvement Act BE 2535 shall be amended. The responsibility must cover all stakeholders involved in the management of pollution sources. The rules of compensation and remedial criteria should be amended by the community and environmentally private organizations to participate in assessing environmental damage. The Civil and Commercial Code should also be amended in respect of limitation by extending the deadline of filing a claim for environmental compensation for another 10 years from the date of damage and the cause of the pollution. The rules toward criteria for environmental damage should set assessment. For other suggestions, it is recommended that government officials shall educate the community about environmental issues and focus on communication of environmental issues. The government should cultivate good consciousness about environment into children and youth. The good consciousness about environment shall set curriculum in school or both indoor and outdoor school activities.