Public Participation in Managing the Problem of Haze Pollution Across the Northern Border

Abstract

This academic article aims to highlight the importance of public participation in addressing transboundary haze pollution in Northern Thailand by drawing lessons from the successful experiences of China, the United States, and Singapore. The study synthesizes the key success factors from these countries to propose guidelines for managing haze pollution in Northern Thailand, which has had widespread impacts on public health and the environment across the country. The findings can be summarized into five key steps: 1) Controlling haze pollution at its source, 2) Establishing clear and coherent government policies for haze pollution management, 3) Building public participation networks to address transboundary haze pollution, 4) Promoting community-based haze pollution management and prevention, and 5) Updating and revising air pollution laws to align with current contexts. As noted above, effective management of transboundary haze pollution in Northern Thailand requires not only clear governmental policies but also the integration of civil society and stakeholder networks. It is essential to foster mutual understanding, raise awareness, and promote collaborative efforts within communities to address haze pollution. Examples include encouraging community networks to monitor and report fire outbreaks, as well as establishing cross-border people-to-people cooperation networks with neighboring countries. These efforts align with the concept of “New Public Governance”, which emphasizes multi-sectoral collaboration to build haze-free and sustainable communities, grounded in the principles of active and responsible citizenship.