Development of eco-industrial estates in Thailand: initiatives in the northern region community-based eco-industrial estate

The concept of the Eco-Industrial Estate (EIE) was introduced in Thailand in the year 2000. However, various factors have impeded such development. This study reviewed and discussed the development of EIEs in Thailand, and examined EIE strategies. The results of surveys of the surrounding communities at the Northern Region Industrial Estate (NRIE) revealed many challenges, especially in building effective stakeholder collaborations. Representatives of industry and government agencies were introduced to, and discussed, the Community-Based Eco-Industrial Estate (CBEIE) framework at the dedicated eco-forum. The aim of the CBEIE framework is to gain stakeholders' willingness to contribute to EIE development and to encourage the exchange of knowledge, as well as to build trust among stakeholders and to identify mutual benefits for the respective parties. The adoption of an iterative review process and mandatory scheduling of activities and initiatives would enable issues in the environment-community-industry realm to be addressed. Furthermore, the outcomes of the discussion at the eco-forum would feed into the master plan and contribute to the strategic development of EIEs in the NRIE.