Handbook on Strategic Environmental Assessment
Chanchitpricha, Chaunjit, Swangjang, Kanokporn, Morrison-Saunders, Angus
Abstract
‘Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA)’ in Thailand is investigated in this chapter, focusing on evolution of regulations and practice, as well as on evaluation of effectiveness and prospects for the future. While not yet mandatory in Thailand, there is a 15-year history of evolving SEA thinking and guidance, motivations and driving forces, most recently promoting sustainability-oriented national development. In practice, a wide variety of SEA approaches have been utilised with attempts to ensure that appropriate tiering occurs. In the chapter, outcomes of an evaluation of 14 SEAs are presented with regards to procedural, substantive, transactive, and legitimacy effectiveness criteria, leading to a series of recommendations for enhancing practice into the future. While SEA thinking and practice in Thailand is at a comparatively early stage of development, high level government commitment to the process suggests that advances and innovations in SEA can be realised in the future.