Environmental Health Impact Assessment from the development of ASEAN Community at Chongchom Border, Surin Province

Abstract

This study aims to survey situation of environmental health and study perception and concern of environmental health changes at the cross-border area as a result of the ASEAN Community development at Chongchom Border, Surin Province between April 2016 and March 2017. The mixed methods of both qualitative and quantitative were used in this study.

The results shown that currently the major environmental health issues are solid-waste management, sewage management, food sanitation as well as water supply and waste water management. In 2016, the amount of solid waste from market and community is about 5-10 tons per day while the waste management is still a problem from open dumping and high-pollutant incinerator. Sewage services are provided in some area by private organizations who may dispose inappropriate while the coliform bacteria and fecal coliform bacteria contaminate in water supply and exceed the standard. Moreover, there is wastewater from secondhand clothes washing discharge directly into natural water affected to a quality of natural water.

The perception and concern of local population about the ASEAN Community development show that 74 % of them know about the international border development and the source of information are mostly from the news and community leaders. Many of them satisfy about infrastructure and tourism development because of the economic improvement in their community. However, there are key issues of concern about solid waste, water quality and sewage from the rapid development which can have impacts to their health and well-being. Therefore, they require the relevant organizations to improve water quality management, develop wastewater management and upgrade the public utility system in both quality and coverage to meet the needs from the ASEAN Community development in the future.

In conclusion, the situations of solid waste, water quality and sewage management are critical environmental health problem in Chongchom border. These problems can be more serious in the future if there is no any appropriate management. Therefore, the cooperation among relevant stakeholders need to be strengthen for implementation and development in environmental health. Moreover, the two-way communication among the public, private and society are needed to rise understanding about the development in border area as well as increase the public involvement and participation in environmental health management in order to reach the sustainable development.