TRANSITIONING TO A LOW-CARBON ECONOMY IN THAILAND'S CONSTRUCTION SECTOR: CHALLENGES AND OPPORTUNITIES

ผู้แต่ง

  • Weerakorn Saitep Faculty of Business Administration, Rajamangala University of Technology Thanyaburi
  • Boontharika Wongvanich Faculty of Business Administration, Rajamangala University of Technology Thanyaburi
  • Teetut Tresirichod School of Management Science, Sukhothai Thammathirat Open University

คำสำคัญ:

Low-Carbon Economy, Sustainable Construction, Carbon Emissions, Construction Innovation, Thailand

บทคัดย่อ

The construction sector plays a pivotal role in Thailand’s economic development while being a significant contributor to national greenhouse gas emissions. Transitioning to a low-carbon economy within this sector is essential to achieving Thailand’s climate commitments under the Paris Agreement and its goal of net-zero emissions by 2065. This study examines the challenges, opportunities, and strategic pathways for fostering sustainable transformation in the Thai construction industry. Drawing on policy analysis, case studies, and international best practices, the research identifies key barriers such as high initial investment costs, limited access to advanced low-carbon technologies, workforce capacity gaps, and inconsistent regulatory enforcement. Conversely, notable opportunities include the expansion of the green building market, integration of innovative low-carbon materials and technologies, fiscal and market incentives such as the T-VER carbon credit scheme, and growing regional demand for sustainable infrastructure. The findings underscore the necessity of coordinated action among government, industry, and academia to align economic growth with environmental stewardship. Policy recommendations focus on strengthening sector-specific emission reduction targets, enhancing human capital development, fostering multi-stakeholder collaboration, and expanding financial and market mechanisms. By embedding low-carbon principles into the regulatory, technological, and operational fabric of the construction sector, Thailand can position itself as a regional leader in sustainable construction, generating both environmental and socio-economic benefits.

เอกสารอ้างอิง

Arayici, Y., & Aouad, G. (2011). Building information modelling (BIM) for construction lifecycle management. In Construction and building: Design, materials, and techniques (pp. 99–117). Nova Science Publishers.

Bangkok Post. (2024, March 27). More tax incentives for green investment in the pipeline. https://www.bangkokpost.com/business/general/2802441/more-tax-incentives-for-green-investment-in-the-pipeline

Building and Construction Authority Singapore. (2020). Green Mark certification scheme. https://www1.bca.gov.sg/buildsg/sustainability/green-mark-certification-scheme

C40 Cities. (2023). Urban efficiency II: Shenzhen – International Low Carbon City. https://www.c40.org/case-studies/urban-efficiency-2-international-low-carbon-city/

Comptroller General’s Department, Thai Government Procurement. (2024, May 24). Announcement of environmentally friendly procurement guidelines for fiscal year 2024. https://www.gprocurement.go.th/wps/portal/egp/news/detail/e52525a2-1250-4099-8240-70a956030258/

Department of Alternative Energy Development and Efficiency. (2020). Alternative materials and energy efficiency in construction. DEDE. https://www.dede.go.th

Department of International Trade Promotion. (2020). Opportunities for sustainable infrastructure exports to CLMV. DITP. https://www.ditp.go.th

Global Green Growth Institute. (2025a, March 31). Advancing Thailand’s low-carbon building transition. https://alcbt.gggi.org/advancing-thailands-low-carbon-building-transition/

Global Green Growth Institute. (2025b). Thailand—Asia Low-Carbon Buildings Transition (ALCBT). https://alcbt.gggi.org/thailand/

Global Green Growth Institute. (2025c, July 16). Financing the building sector decarbonization: Thailand country report. ALCBT (Asia Low Carbon Buildings Transition). https://alcbt.gggi.org/financing-the-building-sector-decarbonization-thailand-country-report/

Huang, L., Krigsvoll, G., Johansen, F., Liu, Y., & Zhang, X. (2018). Carbon emission of global construction sector. Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, 81, 1906–1916. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.rser.2017.06.001

Kasikorn Research Center. (2024, May 28). Carbon credit system: A new mechanism to support Thailand’s low-carbon transition. https://www.kasikornresearch.com/en/analysis/k-econ/economy/Pages/CarbonCredit-CIS3500-28-05-2024.aspx

Liwthaisong, S., Chaithongrat, T., & Aksorn, P. (2025, February 21). Reinforced concrete and embodied carbon in construction: Challenges and pathways to reduction in Thailand. Engineering and Applied Science Research, 52(2), 125–134.

Magnolia Quality Development Corporation Limited. (2019). WHIZDOM 101 Project: Low Carbon Society Concept. https://mqdc.com/projects/whizdom-101

Mahanakorn Partners Group. (2025, July 8). Thailand launches major renewable energy tax incentives to boost sustainability and clean tech investment. https://mahanakornpartners.com/thailand-launches-major-renewable-energy-tax-incentives-to-boost-sustainability-and-clean-tech-investment/

Market Research Thailand. (2025). Thailand modular construction trends: Faster, cheaper, greener. https://marketresearchthailand.com/insights/articles/thailand-modular-construction-trends-faster-cheaper-greener

Mehta, P. K., & Monteiro, P. J. M. (2014). Concrete: Microstructure, properties, and materials (4th ed.). McGraw-Hill Education.

Ministry of Energy, Thailand. (2020). Ministerial regulation on building energy code B.E. 2563 (Royal Thai Government Gazette, 137[33A]). Department of Alternative Energy Development and Efficiency. https://bec.dede.go.th/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/E-Book.pdf

Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment. (2020). Thailand’s updated nationally determined contribution (NDC). MNRE. https://www.mnre.go.th

National Science and Technology Development Agency. (2023). Carbon neutrality. https://www.nstda.or.th/nac/2023/tag/carbon-neutrality/

Office of Digital Economy Promotion. (2020). Smart city development in Thailand. DEPA. https://www.depa.or.th

Sanquist, T. F., Orr, H. M., Shui, B., & Bittner, A. C. (2012). Lifestyle factors in U.S. residential electricity consumption. Energy Policy, 42, 354–364. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.enpol.2011.11.092

Shen, L., & Sun, Y. (2016). Review on carbon emissions, energy consumption and low carbon economy in China from a perspective of global climate change. Journal of Geographical Sciences, 26, 855–870. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11442-016-1302-3

Singapore Economic Development Board. (2025). Sustainability at EDB: Energy Reset, Green Economy. https://www.edb.gov.sg/en/our-industries/sustainability.html

Siam City Cement Public Company Limited. (2024a, April 18). SCCC shared about their commitment to net zero greenhouse gas emissions by producing low carbon cement (“hydraulic cement”). https://www.siamcitycement.com/thailand/en/media/detail/

sccc-meets-with-industry-minister-to-discuss-to-low-carbon-cement-and-greenhouse-gas-emission-goal

Siam City Cement Public Company Limited. (2024b, June 26). SCCC promotes low-carbon cement and concrete innovation in partnership with Pruksa to reduce carbon footprint. https://www.siamcitycement.com/thailand/inseeconcrete/th/media/detail/sccc-promotes-low-carbon-cement-and-concrete-innovation-in-partnership-with-pruksa-to-reduce-carbon-footprint

Siam City Cement Public Company Limited. (2025). SCCC group earns ESG100 recognition from Thaipat Institute. https://www.siamcitycement.com/thailand/en/media/detail/sccc-group-earns-esg100-recognition-from-thaipat-institute

Supasa, T., Hsiau, S.-S., Lin, S.-M., Wongsapai, W., & Wu, J.-C. (2017). Household energy consumption behaviour for different demographic regions in Thailand from 2000 to 2010. Sustainability, 9(12), 2328. https://doi.org/10.3390/su9122328

SWITCH-Asia. (2023). Advance Prefab Company Limited. https://www.switch-asia.eu/site/assets/files/4229/advance_prefab.pdf

Thai Cement Manufacturers Association. (2023, October 11). ASEAN cement outlook 2023. Thai Cement Manufacturers Association. https://www.thaicma.or.th/th/ebook_detail/1/215

Thailand Development Research Institute. (2023, October). Transforming Thailand into a low-carbon economy and society: Carbon pricing as a catalyst for innovation and competitiveness. https://tdri.or.th/en/2023/10/transforming-thailand-into-a-low-carbon-economy-and-society/

The Siam Cement Public Company Limited. (2020). SCG 100th Year Building achieves LEED Platinum certification. https://www.scg.com/sustainability

United Nations Environment Programme, & Global Alliance for Buildings and Construction. (2025). Global status report for buildings and construction 2024/25. United Nations Environment Programme. https://globalabc.org/sites/default/files/2025-03/Global-Status-Report-2024_2025.pdf

United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change. (2022). Thailand: Updated Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC). https://unfccc.int/NDCREG

Wikipedia. (2025). Off-site construction. In Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Off-site_construction

Wikipedia contributors. (2025, April 25). Low-carbon economy. In Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Low-carbon_economy

Wong, J. K. W., San Chan, J. K., & Wadu, M. J. (2016). Facilitating effective green procurement in construction projects: An empirical study of the enablers. Journal of Cleaner Production, 135, 859–871. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jclepro.2016.07.001

World Economic Forum. (2025, April 28). Driving action on sustainable construction in 2025 and beyond. https://www.weforum.org/stories/2025/04/2025-sustainable-construction-barometer-call/

ดาวน์โหลด

เผยแพร่แล้ว

2025-08-30

รูปแบบการอ้างอิง

Saitep, W. ., Wongvanich, B. ., & Tresirichod, T. (2025). TRANSITIONING TO A LOW-CARBON ECONOMY IN THAILAND’S CONSTRUCTION SECTOR: CHALLENGES AND OPPORTUNITIES. วารสารวิชาการสังคมศาสตร์เครือข่ายวิจัยประชาชื่น, 7(2), 136–152. สืบค้น จาก https://so03.tci-thaijo.org/index.php/prn/article/view/282537

ฉบับ

ประเภทบทความ

บทความวิชาการ