Screening and Scoping Community-based Health Impact Assessment for Developing a Monitoring and Evaluation Model : A case study of Gas Separation Plant and Natural Gas Pipeline, Thailand – Malaysia Project, Chana District, Songkhla Province

Abstract

     This study was action research aimed to screen and define the scope of health impact monitoring from the Thai-Malaysian natural gas separation plant and pipeline project in Chana District, Songkhla Province. The methodology involves reviewing detailed project documents and analyzing environmental impact reports, as well as environmental and health impact reports, through in-depth interviews and focus group discussions with stakeholders. These stakeholders include project managers, representatives from government agencies, the private sector, local authorities, civil society organizations, and relevant residents in the project area. Using a purposive selection method.

     The study found that the preparation process for selecting the working team involved appointing a community-based impact monitoring and evaluation mechanism team to review the report and summarize it’s findings jointly with the academic team. The process of building understanding in impact assessment and needs analysis, with the objective of community-based health impact monitoring, includes developing the capacity of citizens to collect data. Promoting understanding of monitoring processes can be implemented through public participation and fosters coexistence between communities and projects, leveraging community-based health impact assessments.  The process involves creating a database and establishing a complaint center, as well as developing a local development plan in collaboration with local agencies. The participatory steps include identifying issues and planning for monitoring and surveillance of health impacts It comprises economic aspects (income, occupation), natural resources and the environment (aquatic animal population, water quality), and physical aspects (odor, risk mapping). A collaborative data collection plan is developed among community members through capacity building for representatives in data collection, analysis, and summarization.