Community Participation in Environmental Management in Tha Kham Subdistrict Municipality, Palian District, Trang Province

Abstract

This research aimed to examine problems and propose guidelines for community participation in environmental management in Tha Kham Subdistrict Municipality, Palian District, Trang Province. The study focused on two aspects: 1) solid waste problems and 2) pollution problems. This qualitative study utilized structured interviews with 17 key informants, and data were analyzed using descriptive analysis. The results revealed that: 1) problems in community participation were caused by three main factors: a) improper and unhygienic waste disposal methods causing air pollution, b) unclear community policies, and c) insufficient waste disposal budgets; and 2) guidelines for community participation require cooperation from government agencies, the private sector, civil society, and local residents for systematic environmental management. As a tourist destination, the area requires cooperation from all stakeholders to establish appropriate mechanisms and systems for environmental management that suit the local context. These findings can be applied to the planning and operations of relevant agencies by promoting citizen roles, creating strong participation mechanisms, and defining policies that align with community context and needs. Such approaches will ensure effective and sustainable environmental management at the local level.