1. Approved the principle of Map Ta Phut Comprehensive Plan as a major framework for relevant parties to use in organizing various plans related to the Map Ta Phut issue henceforth.

2. Approved the principle of setting up a committee in an attempt to develop the area in the East coast and monitor all the plans. The Deputy Prime Minister will take the chairperson role in the committee and take charge of the plan while the NESDB will assume the role of Secretary.

Summary:

A meeting (5/2012) was convened on 14 May 2012 by the NESDB to consider ways to solving the Map Ta Phut-related issues. What follows is the detail:

1. The Comprehensive Plan on Map Ta Phut addressed various problems in the area in the past, suggestions to those problems and plans, implemented between 2012 and 2016 as follows:

1.1 Target area: The pollution control areas according to the Office of National Environment Board (as of 30 April 2012) covers 260,000 rai of land which span over 6 subdistricts/3 districts. These are Map Ta Phut, Huay Pong, Nern Pra, Muang Rayong, Nikom Pattana and Ban Chang.

1.2 Major problem in the area:

(1) Environment and pollution: Air, water, solid waste pollution and chemical spills.

(2) Social problem: Public health, particularly on respiratory diseases, cancer, conditions in pregnancy, infrastructure/utilities/inadequate public services, unmatched or low education qualification required by the factories, as well as the shortage of skilled workers.

(3) Economic problem: Dependent economic structure on the industry for export,
the distribution of benefits in the budget, inconsistent subsidies with the revenue generated for the domestic uses, the public having to bear the burden due to industries’ glitches.

(4) Physical and infrastructure problem: Transport and traffic congestion, inadequate water supply, degeneration of tourist sites and natural settings and industrial land uses to encroach the buffer zone.

 (5) Management problem: Non-compliance with laws, rules and regulations causing the loss of public trust.

2. Over all efforts in the part 3 years (January 2009-December 2011) by national, regional, and local authorities, including the committee and the subcommittee could be categorized in 2 areas: (1) Immediate solutions on Map Ta Phut and (2) The outline of the long-term plans as follows:

(1) Solving the problems facing the public with the emphasis on health, water supply, waste, air, water problem, and the reduction of other pollutions The Cabinet had approved concerned agencies to take relevant initiatives for 4 times in 32 projects and with the budget of 1,432 million Baht. As of now, most plans have reached or almost reach their final phases.  Significant successes are the improvement of water pipes and increase of water supply in Muang Rayong, Map Ta Phut and Ban Chang Musicality, the purchase of two mobile medical units, the public health service in the Map Ta Phut of over 12,238 and 20,571 people in 2010 and 2011 respectively. As for this year, the number is expected to reach 15,000. Similarly, there was a stark improvement of Map Ta Phut Hospital with the expansion of occupational medicine, with 200 beds being added. In addition, the installation of the continuous measurement of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and labels of environmental quality in 4 stations were completed.

(2) In regards to the eradication of sources of pollution, the Pollution Control Department has identifies 6 different types of industries/activities which cause volatile organic compounds. The department is in the process of setting the standard for control of air emission. The Board of Investment of Thailand has revised policies and measures in promoting investments for industries/other activities in Map Ta Phut area in an attempt to reduce the level of pollution. Meanwhile Industry Ministry has announced the guidelines and methods of verifying and controlling the CVOs spills. This has come into effect since 1 June 2012. As for the strategic assessment of the environmental condition in Muang district and areas in the vicinity of the industrial estate, the Department of Industrial Works has completed the information analysis stage.

(3) Protection Strip between industries and residential villages, the Department of Industrial Works has collaborated with 46 entrepreneurs, of which 40 have finalized the outcomes. The strip covers more than 1,000 rai of land.