Legal Development Guidelines for Strengthening the Role of Citizens in Household Waste Management in Thailand Legal Development Guidelines for Strengthening the Role of Citizens in Household Waste Management in Thailand
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Abstract
This research addresses the critical environmental crisis of household waste in Thailand, where existing legal frameworks fail to regulate public behavior at the source. Although the government has designated waste management as a national agenda, overall waste volume continues to rise due to shifting socio-economic conditions and the lack of mandatory waste segregation. This study aims to examine legal concepts and theories, conduct a comparative analysis of legal measures in the United Kingdom, Sweden, and Japan, analyze impediments within the Thai legal system, and propose developmental pathways to enhance the civic role in waste management. The findings reveal significant structural gaps in Thai law, which primarily focuses on "end-of-pipe" solutions, lacks specific duties for individual households, and relies on inefficient flat-rate
fee structures. Comparative evidence suggests that success in developed nations stems from the exercise of state power through "Command and Control" mechanisms alongside economic incentives. Consequently, this research recommends a comprehensive legal reform, including the enactment of a specialized "Lex Specialis" for household waste. Key proposals include transposing constitutional duties into statutory obligations, transitioning to a "Pay-As-You-Throw" (PAYT) fee model, and implementing Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) and Deposit-Refund Systems (DRS). These reforms are essential to transform citizens from passive service recipients into active environmental stakeholders, ensuring sustainable resource recovery and social equity.
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References
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