Participatory Waste Management of Muang Ngai Sub-district Municipality, Chiang Dao District, Chiang Mai Province

Abstract

This study aimed to (1) examine the current conditions of solid waste management and the level of public participation within the jurisdiction of Muang Ngai Subdistrict Municipality, Chiang Dao District, Chiang Mai Province, and (2) propose appropriate approaches for participatory solid waste management. The research employed a qualitative design. The population and sample consisted of 66 stakeholders involved in waste management, including municipal executives, municipal council members, local officials, staff and employees, community leaders, representatives of government agencies, business operators, and local residents. Research instruments comprised semi-structured interviews and focus group discussions, with data collected from both secondary sources (related documents) and primary sources (in-depth interviews and group discussions). Data were analyzed using content analysis, synthesizing information according to research themes.

The findings revealed that Muang Ngai Subdistrict Municipality has sufficient budget, personnel, and equipment to provide continuous waste collection services and to prevent serious waste accumulation. However, the level of public participation remains limited to compliance with municipal requirements, such as purchasing municipal garbage bags or joining campaigns, rather than active involvement in planning, decision-making, and evaluation. Therefore, appropriate approaches should emphasize integrated collaboration among all sectors, the development of model environmental communities, the establishment of a solid waste management strategic plan tailored to the local context, and policy advocacy to elevate waste issues to a national agenda. Recommendations include: (1) Policy – the government should allocate budgets and enact supportive legislation to strengthen local capacity; (2) Practice – municipalities should develop continuous participatory mechanisms and model communities; and (3) Further Research – future studies should focus on provincial-level waste management and comparative studies with international models. The key contribution of this study is the recognition that sustainable waste management requires both structural mechanisms and a participatory culture, in order to achieve a balance between environmental protection, quality of life, and sustainable local development.