Social Mechanisms to Drive Environmental Measures: The Case of Map Ta Phut Environmental Lawsuits

Abstract

          Economic growth in developing countries have led to an increasing trend of foreign investment to attract the capital based on financial policy. Industrial estate has been set up a framework for enforcing the strategy. It is therefore important to consider the environmental impact of industrial estate. However, to retain national competitiveness and prevent the capital flow to other countries, the Government must eventually be flexible on environment policies and reduce production cost. The question arises as to whether there are any alternatives driven the environmental measure of industrial estates in developing countries. The purpose of this academic article is to summarize the social mechanism for driven the environmental measure from the case of Map Ta Phut Industrial Estate, Thailand and recommend to apply in other industrial estates. The study is divided into three parts; the appropriate time, location, and the role of the campaigners in driving environmental measures.

          The study found that there were three relationship variables that give rise to environmental measure from Map Ta Phut Industrial Estate; Exogenous variable from the coup in 2006 and the amendment to the constitution in 2007, Endogenous variable from the health impact assessment report on air pollution from Map Ta Phut in which the pollution area was experienced, Complementary variable from financial support and technology transfer tothecollectionof scientific data by domestic campaigners collaborated with global social network.