The Study of Criteria for Green Building Assessment in Thailand and Overseas

Abstract

            This research aimed to study criteria of green building assessment in a context of Thailand and those of other countries, to study appropriation of the criteria for green building assessment and to give suggestions for developing the green building criteria. Documentary review and in-depth interviews with experts from Thai Green Building Institute was carried out. The criteria of green building assessment of Thailand; TREES was compared with the criteria from other countries; LEED, BREEAM, CASBEE, and TEEAM.

            From the study, it can be divided into five categories including location and sustainability of the building, energy use and management, water use and resource use, indoor – outdoor environmental quality and innovation and environmental protection. The majority of the five categories of the criteria for green building assessment have similar objectives : to optimize  resource use,  to prevent the negative impacts on natural resources and environment and to promote building design for energy saving. In-depth interviews with experts from Thai Green Building Institute about the appropriation of the criteria revealed that the criteria for green building in Thailand can not be applied easily. Investors and general people are lack of knowledge and understanding on green building. In addition, there is not enough coordination between the government and private sectors. In the present, the criteria of green building in Thailand are not covered all types of buildings. Therefore, Thailand needs to improve and develop the criteria for green building because different areas and different buildings have different problems, and as a result, they need to develop the knowledge of green building to those involved. There also should be basic knowledge of green building  making green building successful in the future.