Country information
Basic facts on marine waters
- Territorial sea (12 nm zone): 53,068.36 km²
- Exclusive Economic Zone: 163,827.62 km²
National practices
- Twelfth National Economic and Social Development Plan
- National Reform Plan
- Act on the Promotion of Marine and Coastal Resources Management, B.E. 2558 (2015)
- Notification of Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment regarding the environmental protection zoning and measure in Banglamung District and Sattahip District of Chonburi Province, B.E. 2535 (2010) (Gazette 19 July 2010, extended 26 July 2018)
National projects
- N/A
Overview of MSP related maritime uses
Current main uses:
| Offshore renewable energy | Shipping |
| Ports | Nature conservation |
| Fisheries | Coastal protection |
| Cables and pipelines | Scientific research |
| Underwater cultural heritage | Tourism and leisure |
Which marine spatial plans exist?
Name of the plan |
Coral Reef Management Plan: Koh Lan, Koh Khok and Koh Sak |
|---|---|
Scale of the plan |
Pilot case |
Pre-planning |
Status: Completed |
Analysis for planning |
Status: Completed |
Development of the management plan |
Status: Completed |
Completion of the management plan |
Status: Underway |
Approval of the management plan |
Status: Underway |
Implementation of the management plan |
Status: N/A |
Revision of the management plan |
Status: N/A |
National authority in charge of MSP |
Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment – Department of Marine and Coastal Resources |
Financing |
Cost sharing between the Department of Marine and Coastal Resources (Thailand) and the First Institute of Oceanography (Ministry of Natural Resources, China) |
Time required to complete the plans |
Seven years (2017 – [expected to finish in] 2023) |
Drivers of MSP |
The following are drivers of MSP in Thailand: _The Twelfth National Economic and Social Development Plan/Strategy 4: Eco-Friendly Development and Growth of Economy and Society highlights the importance of managing marine resources sustainably _MSP is listed as a tool to help manage resources sustainably in the National Reform Plan on Natural Resources and Environment (2018) _MSP is one of the issues presented in the Action Plan of the twenty-year National Strategy 2018-2037 _The vision of the Department of Marine and Coastal Resources of Thailand also focuses on ecosystem-based management, which incorporates scientific analysis, planning and management to improve and conserve biodiversity and natural resources. The area of Koh Lan, Koh Khok and Koh Sak, with a fertile coral reef community, is a world class marine tourist destination that needs proper measures for sustainable management |
Stakeholder participation |
Several meeting with the stakeholders, with a survey and questionnaire conducted in the area |
Sectors included in planning |
Process mostly focused on tourism including tourism operators, local residence; local government authority; seawalker business operator; fishing community; diving business operators; retail business operators |
Relation to coastal management |
Main focus is on coastal management due to the intensive use of coastal areas for tourism activities |
Relation to marine protected area management |
Koh Lan and the surrounding area is listed as an Environmental Protected Area (2010) and is currently undergoing a process to apply management measures based on MSP |
Plan approval |
Underway |
Legal status of the plan |
Presented to the provincial committee at Pattaya City Hall (local authority) |
Plan revision |
Stated in the plan, but the exact time period has not yet been decided |
Performance monitoring and evaluation |
Currently deciding on a suitable indicator for monitoring and evaluation |
Legal framework
- Twenty-year National Strategy 2018-2037, 8 October 2018
- National Reform Plan on Natural Resources and Environment, 6 April 2018
- Twelfth National Economic and Social Development Plan (2017-2021)/Strategy 4: Eco-Friendly Development and Growth of Economy and Society, 25 December 2016
- Enhancement and Conservation of National Environmental Quality Act, 1992
- Marine and Coastal Resources Promotion Management Act, B.E. 2558, 2015
Contact
Department of Marine and Coastal Resources
Mr. Ronawon Boonprakob – Director of the Sub-Division for Marine Protected Area Management
Chaeng Watthana Government Complex
120 Chaengwattana Rd., Laksi
Bangkok, Thailand