The impact of local politics and factors contributing to the success of solid waste management implementation in Koh Samui, Thailand

Abstract

The municipality of Koh Samui has been identified as having a potential to become a global tourist destination because of its many beautiful sites and sceneries. However, the poor solid waste management in the area prevents this best interest from happening. Solid waste mismanagement poses economic problem for Koh Samui because it contributes not only to the loss of tourists but also to the lack of livelihoods surrounding the area. This research is important to Koh Samui as well as with other communities having the same problems because the results of this investigation may contribute to the reduction of global warming. The same results can also be of an advantage because it may educate and eventually train community members on how to properly dispose or handle solid waste in their area. This study also aims to address and overturn the success and failure of the local government in the implementation of solid waste management in Koh Samui. To do this, a series of investigation about the matter is conducted. Interviews, case studies, and observations are used to examine the effects of collaboration between solid waste management (SWM) groups in Koh Samui. In the end, results showed that mayoral policies regarding the matter need to be strongly observed and established because it serves as the backbone of different SWM projects in Koh Samui. Furthermore, the community members’ participation in the success and continuance of SWM initiatives are highly needed because without it, the collaboration between SWM groups and local government politics will only be useless. Finally, the larger implication of this research is its potential to influence different municipalities in identifying various means of maintaining sanitation in their respective area.