Knowledge Gaps from Research Papers, Challenges and Policy Recommendations on Thai Environmental Management

Abstract

This paper presents a review of research papers and opinions by academics and government representatives during public consultations organized by the Research Project. The objective is to analyze gaps, challenges, and opportunities that would benefit the Thai government’s environmental policy. The environmental issues presented are an example of some of the practices. The literature review finds the knowledge gaps in environmental knowledge and management. The findings are as follows:

1) Bio-diversity loss: lacking the approach of biodiversity loss, ecological systems, and knowledge of the innovative agriculture are missing;
2) Water management: unplanned for water security;
3) Pollution: lacking knowledge of pollution’s risk which is not sufficiently accurate and reliable in all areas;
4) Marine and coastal resources: establishing information from the database is not inadequate and unsystematic to support the governance of maritime and coastal regions at the national level;
5) Climate change: most studies are divided into the sectoral field; lacking systematic and holistic analysis to be able to cope with climate-related risks in the long term.

The findings highlight two main challenges in developing environmental policy and managing its governance. First, the way in which knowledge obtained from research is being used in the making of environmental policy. Second, the lack of comprehensive databases that support the development of evidence-based environmental policy. The recommendations are the following: improving the research funding system to initiate innovations; integrating various sectors in environmental research; building shared platforms and other knowledge exchange mechanisms for ongoing scientific research; and cooperating with other countries and international organizations in environmental research.