Thailand, one of the leading industrialized countries in Southeast Asia, has been tackling with various environmental pollution issues emerging along with economic growth. Emissions from industrial facilities and exhaust gas from mobile sources has been causing air pollution in large cities and industrial parks. Chao Phraya River, canals and waterways in urban areas has been deteriorated due to urbanization and economic activities. Social interests on management of increasing wastes, including municipal wastes, industrial wastes, waste electrical and electronic equipments, infectious wastes, as well as noise and odor issues has been risen.
Widely known legal action against industries in Map Ta Phut, Rayong province, caused a huge impact to government and private entities. In September 2009, the Central Administrative Court of Thailand ordered the suspension of 76 industrial projects in Map Ta Phut industrial estate, one of the largest petrochemical complex in the world, totaling approximately $10 billion due to environmental and health concerns. Although many projects have been reopened lately, this Map Ta Phut pollution issue once again highlighted the importance and risks of environmental management in Thailand.
Thailand established legal framework to regulate environmental issues as follows;
Summary of EHS laws in Thailand
| LAW | Field | Ministry in charge | Overview |
|---|---|---|---|
| Enhancement and Conservation of National Environmental Quality Act, B.E. 2535 (1992) | Pollution control | Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment | Enhancement and Conservation of National Environmental Quality Act, B.E. 2535 is a fundamental environmental law in Thailand. The act was enacted in 1992 to replace previous Enhancement and Conservation of National Environmental Quality Act of 1975. It covers wide range of pollution issues such as water pollution, air pollution, waste management, noise and vibration. Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) scheme, which is an obligation for specific type of industrial projects, infrastructure projects , condominiums, and etc. is implemented under this Act. |
| Factory Act, B.E. 2535 (1992) | Environmental management within factory | Ministry of Industry | Factory Act, B.E. 2535 (1992) was enacted in 1992 to replace previous Factory Act of 1969. One of the main purposes of the act is to regulate environmental and safety concerns associated with factory establishment and operation. Subsidiary regulations and notifications published by Ministry of Industry prescribes various requirements for EHS management such as;
|
| Hazardous Substance Act, B.E. 2535 (1992) | Chemical management | Ministry of Industry and other relevant ministries | Hazardous Substance Act, B.E. 2535 (1992) was enacted in 1992 to replace previous Poisons Act of 1967. The act established a legal base of chemical management in Thailand. Industries which manufacture, import, export or possess hazardous chemicals shall conduct chemical business in accordance with this act and its subsidiary regulations and notifications. The act regulates chemicals for agriculture, fisheries, livestock, food and medical purpose, industry and energy business. |
| Public Health Act, B.E. 2535 (1992) | Public health | Ministry of Public Health | Public Health Act, B.E. 2535 (1992) was enacted in 1992 to replace previous Public Health Act of 1941. The purpose of the act is to assure health, hygiene and living environment of citizens. The act prescribes duties of the local municipalities as well as the private entities. Municipal wastes are managed by local municipalities under this act. Business detrimental to health, 13 business categories defined by the subsidiary notification, shall be carried out in accordance with the requirement of the act. |
| Occupational Safety, Health and Environment Act B.E. 2554 (2011) | Occupational safety and health | Ministry of Labor | Occupational Safety, Health and Environment Act B.E. 2554 was established to assure safe working condition at workplace. The act prescribes duties of the central and local government as well as those of employers and employees. Subsidiary regulations and notifications published by Ministry of Labor prescribes various requirements such as;
|
| Energy Conservation Promotion Act B.E. 2535 (1992) | Energy conservation and efficiency | Ministry of Energy | Energy Conservation Promotion Act B.E. 2535 (1992) is a fundamental energy management law in Thailand. Designated factory or building under the act is required to appoint person responsible for energy and implement energy management system. Energy efficiency of the equipments is promoted and encouraged. |
| Industrial Estate Authority of Thailand Act, B.E.2522 (1979) | Environmental management within factory located in industrial estates | Industrial Estate Authority of Thailand | Industrial Estate Authority of Thailand Act, B.E.2522 (1979) establishes rules and standards for industries located in industrial estates. As environmental management is a part of the scope of the act, factories located in industrial estates shall carry out their activities in accordance with the act. |
| Notification under NEQA of 1992 | Published |
|---|---|
| Notification of the National Environmental Board, No. 8, B.E. 2537 (1994), issued under the Enhancement and Conservation of National Environmental Quality Act B.E.2535 (1992) Surface Water Quality Standards | 1994.02.24 |
| Notification of the National Environmental Board: Marine Water Quality Standards | 2017.11.23 |
| Notification of the National Environmental Board, No. 20, B.E. 2543 (2000), issued under the Enhancement and Conservation of National Environmental Quality Act B.E.2535 (1992) Groundwater Quality Standards | 2000.09.15 |
| Notification of the National Environmental Board, No. 10, B.E. 2538 (1995), issued under the Enhancement and Conservation of National Environmental Quality Act B.E.2535 (1992) Ambient air quality standard | 1995.05.25 |
| Notification of the National Environmental Board, No. 24, B.E. 2547 (2004), issued under the Enhancement and Conservation of National Environmental Quality Act B.E.2535 (1992) Ambient air quality standard amendment | 2004.09.22 |
| Notification of the National Environmental Board, No. 28, B.E. 2550 (2007), issued under the Enhancement and Conservation of National Environmental Quality Act B.E.2535 (1992) Ambient air quality standard amendment | 2007.05.14 |
| Notification of the National Environmental Board, No. 33, B.E. 2552 (2009), issued under the Enhancement and Conservation of National Environmental Quality Act B.E.2535 (1992) Ambient air quality standard amendment | 2009.08.14 |
| Notification of the National Environmental Board, No. 36, B.E. 2553 (2010), issued under the Enhancement and Conservation of National Environmental Quality Act B.E.2535 (1992) Ambient air quality standard amendment | 2010.03.24 |
| Notification of the National Environmental Board, No. 12, B.E. 2538 (1995), issued under the Enhancement and Conservation of National Environmental Quality Act B.E.2535 (1992) Sulfur Dioxide Standard in Ambient Air | 1995.07.13 |
| Notification of the National Environmental Board, No. 21, B.E. 2544 (2001), issued under the Enhancement and Conservation of National Environmental Quality Act B.E.2535 (1992) Sulfur Dioxide Standard in Ambient Air amendment | 2001.04.30 |
| Notification of the National Environmental Board, No. 30, B.E. 2550 (2007), issued under the Enhancement and Conservation of National Environmental Quality Act B.E.2535 (1992) VOC Standard in Ambient Air | 2007.09.28 |
| Notification of the National Environmental Board on Carbon Disulfide Standard in General Ambient Air | 2017.09.20 |
| Notification of the National Environmental Board, No. 25, B.E. 2547 (2004), issued under the Enhancement and Conservation of National Environmental Quality Act B.E.2535 (1992) Soil quality standard | 2004.10.20 |
| Notification of Environmental Board No. 15 B.E.2540 (1997) under the Conservation and Enhancement of National Environmental Quality Act B.E.2535 (1992) Ambient noise standard | 1997.04.03 |
Framework of EHS laws and regulations in Thailand.
Thailand
Thai Industrial Standards Institute (TISI) opened a draft industrial standard for “ELECTRICAL AND ELECTRONIC EQUIPMENT THAT MAY CONTAIN HAZARDOUS SUBSTANCES –PART X RESTRICTION OF THE USE OF MERCURY” for public …
Thailand
On September 13th, 2022, Thailand Ministry of Industry opened the latest draft “Notification of Ministry of Industry: Reporting of Pollutant Release and Transfer Register (PRTR) B.E. 25XX” for pubic consultation. …
Thailand
Thailand Department of Mineral Fuels, Ministry of Energy published “Notification of the Department of Mineral Fuels regarding Criteria on Reporting and Calculation Methods of the Greenhouse Gas Emissions from Petroleum …
Thailand
Marine Department, Ministry of Transport, Thailand announced “Notification of the Marine Department No.153/B.E. 2565 (2022) Prescribing Standard for Controlling wastewater from Industrial Factories, Industrial Estates, and Industrial Zones with Engagement …
Thailand
Ministry of Industry published “Ministerial Regulation regarding designation of Synthetic Dyestuffs as industrial products which shall conform to industrial standard” in the Royal Gazette on 19 August 2022. Although there …
Thailand
Thailand announced “Notification of the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment Prescribing Effluent Standards for the Control of Wastewater Discharge from Sanitary Landfill Facility, B.E. 2565 (2022)” in the Royal …
Thailand
Thailand Ministry of Labor published “Ministerial Regulation Regarding Arrangement of Safety Officers, Department, or Group of Person to Conduct Safety Operation in the Workplace B.E. 2565 (2022)” in the Royal …
Thailand
Thailand Ministry of Industry published “Notification of Ministry of Industry regarding Declaration of the production or import of hazardous substances of list 5.6 under the responsibility of Department of Industrial …
Thailand
Thailand Ministry of Public Health published “Notification of the Ministry of Public Health (No. 435) B.E. 2565 (2022) Issued under the Food Act, B.E. 2522 (1979) on Determination of Quality …
Thailand
Thailand Ministry of Industry published “Notification of the Ministry of Industry on the Requirement of the Factory to Install Special Tool or Device to Report Air Pollution from Factory Stacks, …
Thailand
Thailand Ministry of Industry published the industrial standard “TIS 2368–2564 Electrical And Electronic Equipment That May Contain Hazardous Substances : Restriction Of The Use Of Certain Hazardous Substances” in the …
Thailand
NOTE: The notification was partially amended in May, 2023. See more details below: Thailand extended reporting deadline of hazardous chemicals in the factory Thailand Ministry of Industry published “Notification …
Thailand
Thailand Department of Industrial Works, Ministry of Industry published “Notification of Department of Industrial Works regarding Criteria and Method for Registration and Notification of Specialized Person Responsible for Safety Storage …
Thailand
Ministry of Industry published “Ministerial Regulation regarding designation of Toys as industrial products which shall conform to the industrial standard” in the Royal Gazette on 25 March 2022. The regulation …
Thailand
Thailand Ministry of Labor published “Ministerial Regulation on Determination of Safety Management System Standards B.E. 2565 (2022)” in the Royal Gazette on 11 April 2022. The regulation, which repeals the …
Thailand
NOTE: On September 8, 2022, the Notification of the Committee on Labels Re: Determination of Ultraviolet Radiation in the C Range of Wavelengths (Ultraviolet C or UV-C) Goods as a Label-Controlled …
Thailand
The Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation, Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment of Thailand bans single-use plastics from national parks for the conservation of natural resources. The …
Thailand
The Department of Energy Business, the Ministry of Energy of Thailand, announced “Notification of Department of Energy Business: Criteria and Procedures of Installation of Liquefied Petroleum Gas Leak Detector for …
Thailand
Thailand announced “Notification of the Ministry of Industry Prescribing Standards for Controlling the Discharge of Wastewater Effluent from Factory Operating Business on Desalination B.E. 2564 (2021)” in the Royal Gazette …
Thailand
Thailand announced “Notification of the Ministry of Public Health Prescribing the Name of any Substance Prohibited for Use as an Ingredient in Cosmetic Production (No. 7) B.E. 2565 (2022)” in …
Thailand
Thailand announced “Notification of the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment Prescribing Standard for Controlling Wastewater from Small Establishments Manufacturing or Providing Some Types of Products or Services B.E. 2564 …
Thailand
Thailand announced “Ministerial Regulation on Performance Report on Compliance with Factory Act B.E. 2564 (2021)” in the Royal Gazette on 20 December 2021. The regulation requires factory operators to declare …
Thailand
NOTE: Ministry of Industry of Thailand published “Notification of Ministry of Industry B.E. 2565 (2022): List of hazardous substances (No.7)” in the Royal Gazette on 21 December 2022. Thailand adds …
Thailand
Thailand established “Regulation of the Civil Aviation Authority of Thailand No. 23 on Carbon Dioxide Emission Monitoring and Reporting in Aviation” on 2 December 2021. The regulation requires aviation business …
Thailand
Thailand announced “Notification of the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment Prescribing Category C Buildings as Pollution Sources that Must be Controlled on Wastewater Drainage to Public Water Sources or …
Thailand
Thailand announced “Notification of Department of Labor Protection and Welfare prescribing Measurement, Analysis Method and Regulated Business Type related to Heat, Lighting and Noise in Workplace (No.2)” in the Royal …
Thailand
Thailand announced “Notification of the Ministry of Energy on Determination of Building Design Standards for Energy Conservation B.E. 2564 (2021)” and “Notification of the Ministry of Energy on Criteria and …
Thailand
The Pollution Control Department (PCD), Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment of Thailand released a revised draft of the Disposal and Management of Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment Act of …
Thailand
Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives of Thailand announced “Notification of the Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives regarding Hazard Classification and Communication System of Hazardous Substances under control of the Department …
Thailand
Department of Industrial Works (DIW), Ministry of Industry of Thailand published a document titled “Request for a strict implementation of production planning and control of air pollutants emissions from business …
Thailand
Ministry of Transport of Thailand announced “Ministerial Regulation on the Handling of Goods which may Cause Dangers B.E.2564 (2021)” in the Royal Gazette on 5 November 2021 by virtue of …
Thailand
Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment announced “Notification of the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment on the Emission Standard of Vapor From a Bulk Gasoline Terminal B.E.2564 (2021)” in …
Thailand
Food and Drug Administration (FDA), Ministry of Public Health of Thailand opened a “(Draft) Criteria, Conditions, and Guidelines for Evaluating the Recycled Plastic Processing and Recycled Plastic Pellets Safety for …
Thailand
On September 7, 2021, the Thailand Board of Investment (BOI) announced that the BOI will expand the scope of incentives for companies that contribute to reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions …
Thailand
Ministry of Labor of Thailand announced “Ministerial Regulation on administration and management standards and the process of occupational safety, health, and environment at workplace in relation to the machine, crane, …
Thailand
Ministry of Industry of Thailand set out a minimum energy performance standard (MEPS) for household washing machines by publishing “Ministerial Regulation regarding designation of washing machines for household use as …
Thailand
On July 19, the Pollution Control Department (PCD) of Thailand’s Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment published on its website a draft action plan for integrated management of waste electrical …
Thailand
The Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation, Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment of Thailand bans sunscreen agents which is harmful to coral reef. The Notification of the …
Thailand
Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment announced two notifications regarding the effluent standard for housing estates in the Royal Gazette on 19 July 2021 by virtue of the Enhancement and …
Thailand
The Industrial Estate Authority of Thailand (IEAT) published two notifications regarding PSM, process safety management, in the Royal Gazette on 12 July 2021 by virtue of the Industrial Estate Authority …
Thailand
The Ministry of Public Health of Thailand published three notifications regarding cosmetics in the Royal Gazette on 21 June 2021. The notifications restrict chemical ingredients used for the production of …
Thailand
The Pollution Control Department (PCD), Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment of Thailand established a “Notification of Pollution Control Department regarding the Definitions of Plastic Wastes and Plastic Scraps B.E. …
Thailand
The Pollution Control Department (PCD), Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment of Thailand released a questionnaire document to request comments and information about perfluorohexane sulfonic acid (PFHxS), its salts, and …
Thailand
The Ministry of Industry of Thailand published the following two regulations in the Royal Gazette on 16 June 2021. Ministerial Regulation regarding designation of Nipples For Feeding Bottles as an …
Thailand
Ministry of Industry published “Ministerial Regulation on Stretch Cling Film For Food” in the Royal Gazette on 28 May 2021. The regulation mandates stretch wrapping film for food to conform …
Thailand
The Pollution Control Department (PCD), Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment of Thailand released a draft of the Disposal and Management of Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment Act of B.E. …
Thailand
Recently in May 2021, the Department of Industrial Works, Ministry of Industry of Thailand opened a draft notification to revise the hazardous substance list under Hazardous Substance Act B.E. 2535 …
Thailand
Thai Industrial Standards Institute (TISI), Ministry of Industry notified “Draft Ministerial Regulation on Paper for food contact (TIS 2948-2562(2019))” to the WTO on 31 March 2021 by G/TBT/N/THA/604. The draft …
Thailand
The Ministry of Public Health of Thailand announced “Ministerial Regulation on Infectious Waste Disposal (No.2) B.E.2564 (2021)” in the Royal Gazette on 1 March 2021 by virtue of Public Health …
Thailand
The National Environmental Board of Thailand announced “Notification of the National Environmental Board: Soil Quality Standard” in the Royal Gazette on 11 March 2021. The notification issued under the Enhancement …
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