Environmental Permits
in Thailand

Environmental Permits in Thailand

The environmental law professionals at Juslaws & Consult advise clients on environmental permits that may be required for their business operations in Thailand and work cooperatively with clients to obtain the permits, by determining the client's needs and then preparing all the applications required for a wide range of permits, including those required by air, waste water and wetland regulations, among others.

We keep our clients up-to-date on new regulations and advise, on an on-going basis, how environmental laws and regulations could have an impact on their business operations in Thailand. We also advise potential investors of environmental issues that might affect their decision-making process. Our lawyers are able to negotiate the terms of the required permits and to pursue modifications and exemptions to permits when required. Thailand has enacted laws and announced numerous environmental regulations, many of which contain requirements for environmental permits. These include, among others;

• The National Environmental Quality Act (NEQA) of B.E. 2535 (1992) deals with wide-ranging issues related to the enhancement and conservation of the Kingdom’s environment
• The Pollution Prevention and Mitigation Policy in accordance with NEQA (1997-2016) involves a series of governmental policies stemming from NEQA and deals specifically with water pollution, air pollution, noise and vibration pollution, pollution from solid waste and night soil, pollution from hazardous materials, and pollution from hazardous waste
• Soil Quality Standards (2004)
• Air Quality and Noise Standards (2007)
• Water Quality Standards (Aug 2009)
• The Factory Act of B.E. 2514 (1971) delineates the rules for operating factories in Thailand and the regulations relative to the location of factories, the type and quality of machinery that is to be used, and the standards for measuring emissions that have a potential impact on the surrounding environment
• Ministry of Industry Regulations state the permissible amounts of adulterated substances in factory air emissions and in the waste water released by the factory
• National Environment Board Announcements stipulate the zones which are specifically pollution control areas, including Pattaya and Phuket
• Ministry of Science, Technology and Environment Announcements list specific protected areas and measures to ensure protection of the environment, in Pattaya, the Phi Phi Islands and Phuket
• Sanitary Regulations define the procedures for the disposal of refuse and garbage
• National Environment Board Announcements specify the standard of quality for sea water, surface water and underground water
• Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment Announcements deal with the standards for controlling waste water drainage from development sites, from coastal fish hatcheries, and others

Juslaws & Consult

As environmental issues continue to be in the spotlight in Thailand and newer, tougher legislation is enforced the need for legal representation that is environmentally knowledgeable is a must. Add to that the fact that more changes to environmental legislation is coming with tougher criteria for environmental permits gives everyone a clear picture of what is in store. Juslaws & Consult can stand on its own merit when met with a challenge in environmental court, since we have been defending and prosecuting environmental cases for the last decade.

Summary

Juslaws & Consult has years of experience dealing with environmental issues in Thailand and can certainly help with advising, applying for and obtaining environmental permits, so please do not hesitate to contact us for more information.