Thailand: A Struggle against Climate-Change Flooding

Thailand is a rapidly developing country that is impeded by income inequality and a high ratio of rural poverty. A large proportion of the population live in the rural areas many of which are underdeveloped such as Issan and the northern regions. Marginalization is a common development issue in Thailand most noticeably with the northern hill tribes who have faced decades of underdevelopment. Half-a-million northern hill tribe persons, who are an indigenous population, have been denied citizenship by the Thai government which precludes them from essential services such as health care and education. Although Thailand has abundant water resources, water quality and access is inconsistent. Many impoverished rural areas lack a consistent and safe water supply. Numerous Thai rivers have been found to contain 30–60 times more pathogens, heavy metals, and poisons than safety regulations allow. Although Thailand is making progress on the rural development and water quality standards, the competition for development and profit often conflicts with sustainable and healthy development practices. For instance, the Map Ta Phut Industrial Estate in Rayong province comprises 117 industrial plants including 45 petrochemical factories, 8 coal fired power plants, 12 chemical fertilizer factories, and 2 oil refineries.