A current Environmental Impact Assessment of a port in Thailand: Marine physical aspects

This paper presents the current Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) system for Thailand. The steps of the EIA approval and procedures are summarized. More particularly, the study focuses on port developments. Guidelines, prepared by the national authority, are presented that help EIA practitioners to prepare EIA reports for port projects. The EIA for the Ranong port in Thailand was selected as a case study because of its recent approval as well as its reflection on political intervention. Special attention was given to marine physical aspects in order to demonstrate types of marine physical concerns, assessment methods used, and corresponding environmental measures established. Changes in water current and elevation, sedimentation, large waves and bank erosion, maritime accidents and related oil spill were included. Finally, the strengths and weaknesses of Thailand’s EIA system were discussed.

Research highlights
► This is Thailand's first article about EIA study of port development.
► Thailand's current EIA system with a case study of Ranong port is presented.
► This is an illustration of a compromise between the economy and the environment.
► Strengths and weaknesses of EIA system that can be applied elsewhere.