From: sl2k+@andrew.cmu.edu (Schitt Laowattana)
Newsgroups: soc.culture.thai
Subject: The Environmental Research and Training Centre
Date: 6 Oct 92 09:02:32 GMT
Article-I.D.: andrew.MeoQOca00Uh743sUkY
Organization: Doctoral student, Mechanical Engineering, Carnegie Mellon, Pittsburgh, PA

The Environmental Research and Training Centre
Technopolis, tambon Klong 5, Amphoe Klong Luang
Pathumthani 10120, Thailand
Tel: 577-1136-7  Fax: 577-1138
=============================================================================
BACKGROUND
 
    Due to fast growing industrialization, Thailand has been facing
serious threats on environmental degradation.  The recent economic boom
has extensively utilized as production inputs, the country's natural
resourses and the increasing share of the manufacturing sector in total
production has resulted in environmental pollution.
 
    The establishment of the Environmental Research and Training
Centre(ERTC) of the office of the National Environment Board of Thailand
has given a strong impetus in carrying out more coordinated and
effective tasks of environmental research, training and monitoring
nationwide.  These activities are imperative for the country to aspire
and strengthen its indigeneous capability to combat environmental
degradation for sustainable development.
 
    The ERTC has been set up with support from the Government of Japan
in a bilateral arrangement which represents a working example of
technology transfer between Thailand and Japan.
 
    Since 1980, Thailand and Japan have been involved in a joint project
called the Promotion of Environmental Quality Analysis and Pollution
Control Project.  The purpose of this project was to identify effective
means of promoting pollution control activities, to reinforce the
function of environmental laboratory services at the national level, and
to organize a system of research and training.  This project emphasized
the need to support basic research on the mechanisms of environmental
pollution and its control, particulary in the context of the increasing
need for, and complexity of, pollution control in Thailand.
 
    The sucess of this initial collaboration between Thailand and Japan
led to proposals for the establishment of the Environmental Research and
Training Centre in 1983.
 
     The Government of Japan agreed to support the Establishment of this
centre for 2,314 million Yen as a 2-phase grant aid project.  The mutual
agreement was made through the exchange of Notes signed by
representatives of both governments at the Department of Technical and
Economic Cooperation (DTEC) on July 21, 1989 and August 13, 1990
respectively.  Under these agreements, the Government of Thailand took
responsibility on land preparation, construction of access roads and
fences extension of electricity, telephone and water supply to the site
and other service for issuing visas to Japanese personel and important
of equipment for the Projects.
 
    In order that ERTC can perform its duties efficiently, the Record of
Discussions on the Japanese Technical Cooperation for ERTC was agreed on
March 29, 1990.  As a result of these discussions, the 5-year technical
cooperation was started from April 1, 1990 to allow the Government of
Japan to take necessary measures through the Japanese International
Cooperation Agency(JICA) to support at its own expense services of the
Japanese experts, machinery, equipment and other material including
training to Thai personel in Japan.
 
FUNCTIONS
 
    ERTC is operated by the Office of the National Environmental
Board(ONEB), under the overall jurisdiction of the Ministry of Sciences,
Technology and Environment.  The fundamental purpose of the ERTC is to
carry out research and to provide technical support in the
implementation of environmental policy and environment management
initiatives.  The Centre provides professional training to staff in
national and local governments, and in non-governmental organizations,
focusing on traing professionals and technical staff in the necessary
techniques for sucessful environmental management.
 
    The objective of the ERTC can be summarized as follows:
 
    * To undertake practical research programmes on environmental
management, particularly in the fields of water pollution, air
pollution, noise, solid waste and toxic substances
 
    * To promote and encourage research activities on environmental
quality in cooperation with educational establishments and other agencies
 
    * To strengthen environmental monitoring programmes for use in the
planning and determination of nationa environmental quality standards
and to formulate guidelines for the improvement of environmental quality.
 
    * To provide training programmes in environmental management for
governmental organizations, local government and other organizations.
 
    * Tp provide environmental education programmes for staff at all
levels and to train people with the appropriate expertise to be
qualified instructors.
 
BENEFITS
 
1. Advanced Understanding of Current Conditions of Environmental Pollution
 
One of the main objective of the ERTC is the consolidation of the
environmental monitoring function in Thailand through research on the
standardization of measuring and analysis methods for pollutants and the
training of those related to monitoring in addition to actual monitoring
under the jurisdiction of ONEB.  The collection of uniform and reliable
data will become possible with the commencement of the ERTC's
activities, permitting an accurate understanding of the present
conditions of environmental pollution in Thailand and thereby
contributing to more efficient environmental administration based on
reliable data.
 
2. Consolidation of staff Capabilities in Environmental Conservation Field.
 
    The subjects of the ERCT's training courses will be (i) staff of
government organizations involved in environmental administration, (ii)
staff of municipalities, (iii) university staff engaged in environmental
conservation and (iv) staff of private organizations. The trainees who
have completed the courses are expected in turn to spread their newly
acquired knowledge and technical skills in their responsibilities.
 
3. Pomotion of Appropriate Environmental Conservation Policies.
 
    The improved understanding of environmental conservation and
improved staff capabilities will make it possible to correctly identify
the characteristics and causes of pollution. In addition, the accurate
prediction of the effects of pollution on environmental healthwill
contribute to improving the health condition of the people in the
country.
 
4. Strengthening of Administrative Coordination Capability of ONEB
vis-a-vis Other environmetal Related Organizations.
 
    The training of staff, implementation of practical research, and the
improvement of appropriate technology for pollution control will enhance
the technical know-how and upgrade the staff capability.
 
5. Active Enforcement of Regulations and Standards.
 
    The existing regulations and standards on waste water and exhaust
gas only partially enforced due to the lack of monitoring and measuring
skills.  training to upgrade the skill of the trainees at the ERTC will
ensure the effective enforcement of these regulation and standards,
advancing environtal conservation.
 
6. Diffusion and Consolidation of Knowledge on Environmental Conservation.
 
    The ERTC's provision of environmental education will foster school
and community leaders with involvement in environmental education,
increasing both the awareness and support of the public regarding the
importance of environmental conservation policies.


Schitt(DJ)  Laowattana

****************************************************************************
Current Address in USA:

Department of Mechanical Engineering
Carnegie Mellon University
5000 Forbes Ave.
Pittsburgh, PA 15217
USA
Tel. No. 268-8880
Fax. No. 268-3348
e-mail: sl2k@andrew.cmu.edu


Permanent Address in Thailand:

Center of Operation for FIeld roBOtics Development(FIBO)
King Mongkut's Institute of Technology Thonburi
91 Suksawasd 48  Ratburana  Bangmod
Bangkok 10140, Thailand

Tel. No. 428-3374, 427-4421 and 4270151-9 Ext. 461
Fax. No. 427-8077, 427-8787

*****************************************************************************