User charge implementation in Thailand : comparative case studies of Hat Yai, Pattani, Pattaya and Samutprakarn | |
| Author | Montra Leoseng |
| Call Number | AIT Diss no.UE-04-02 |
| Subject(s) | User charges--Thailand Environmental impact charges--Thailand |
| Note | A dissertation submitted in pa1iial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy, School of Environment, Resources and Development |
| Publisher | Asian Institute of Technology |
| Series Statement | Dissertation ; no. UE-04-02 |
| Abstract | Implementation research is an almost 'unknown quantity' Thailand. This research project explores the implementation of the user charge for waste water treatment in three urban cities with limited success. Former and the current Thai government (year 2004) is introducing modern public sector management and continuing the process of decentralization that has been given new impetus with the new Thai Constitution of 1997. Some policy areas are also experiencing shifts among them user charge for waste water treatment based on volume and pollution load - that should replace or enhance the existing 'end-of-pipe and command-and-control approach' based on volume of water consumption. These changes have profound impacts on local authorities. They are to introduce environmental management and user charge in order to protect human health and the environment. This thesis analyzes the implementation process of the user charge in one city and three urban industrial estates in Thailand. It studies the limits of paradigm shifts. This paper explores the implications of the triple paradigm shift in the context of Thailand and argues that it 'overloads' the politico-administrative system. The thesis exploratory empirical research based on the theory of action. It assumes that actors are complex; they play a mix of roles. Furthermore, the project analyses a policy sector and has adopted a de-centered analysis of governance that encourages the understanding of governance in terms of a political contest resting on competing 'webs of belief and explains these beliefs with reference to traditions. The action-related analysis of real, complex situations is done by means of three qualitative case studies that were carried out in the cities of Pattaya, Hat Yai and Pattani Province; a further qualitative case with quantitative survey of enterprises was carried out in Samut Prakarn. The sampling approach is heterogeneous and according to convenience. As far as the results are concerned, they are as follows. The user charge has been implemented in Hat Yai, Pattaya and Samut Prakarn. Despite these positive results, one should not forget that user charge has been implemented in four localities only! There are several major factors that determine a successful implementation. I) The bureaucratic complexity is mostly very high; it is reduced by a socio-economic local elite. The implementation still often takes place within a double structure of the State on the one hand the 'rational legitimate state', on the other a configuration that resembles a 'traditional organic state authority'. 2) The analysis shows that legal authority and responsibilities are mostly unclear that there is a considerable number of environmentally relevant legal provisions that de facto form a 'market' which enables the respective policy arena to choose and legitimize its approach. There are no implementation guidelines or proper programs. 3) In the cases analyzed, implementation was rather conceived as 'evolution' in which formulation and implementation are mixed; it was conceived as 'ambiguity' in the sense that bureaucracy is not sufficiently autonomous from politics. Finally, it has been conceived also as a perspective in which different coalitions position themselves. The management and costing of the user charge is often arbitrary which leads to court cases. 4) The management of the user charge itself differs from case to case and is often perceived by companies as arbitrary. 5) It is characteristic that for the new instrument for environmental protection no legal provisions mention the type of charge and costing approach that should be used for calculating the charge. 6) Thailand has a long history with the low law enforcement that is also reflected in some case studies. Limited effects within the companies due to the user charge can be shown. At the theoretical level the thesis provides the following new aspects. A) The deficiencies of the implementation might be 'compensated' by capacity building. However, in a broader context than the user charge, the author argues that capacity building encounters a strong barrier, i.e., needs a triple paradigm shift to be successful - (i) from a traditional to modem polity, (ii) from command and control to economic policy instrnments, (iii) from centralized to decentralized forms of government - lead to an overload of the policy arena and policy implementation failures due to missing skills, knowledge and expertise on the part of central government actors and agencies and due to the 'unpreparedness' of the 'local actors' and the prevalence of tradition. B) The famous advocacy approach for related to policy needs to include the concept of polity in order to explain policy changes particularly in developing countries. The author recommends to concentrate more on strategic management and program approaches in order to implement the user charge. |
| Year | 2004 |
| Corresponding Series Added Entry | Asian Institute of Technology. Dissertation ; no. UE-04-02 |
| Type | Dissertation |
| School | School of Environment, Resources, and Development (SERD) |
| Department | Other Field of Studies (No Department) |
| Academic Program/FoS | Urban Environmental and Management (UE) |
| Chairperson(s) | Zimmermann, Willi |
| Examination Committee(s) | Sajor, Edsel E.; Tang, John C. S.;Knoepfel, Peter |
| Scholarship Donor(s) | Raikhing Temple Foundation, Thailand |
| Degree | Thesis (Ph.D.) - Asian Institute of Technology, 2004 |