Auemporn Charoenporn. Environmental economic valuation of teak plantation in Thailand : a case study of Thongphaphum teak plantation, Kanchanaburi province . Master's Degree(Technology of Environmental Management). Mahidol University. : Mahidol University, 2003.
Environmental economic valuation of teak plantation in Thailand : a case study of Thongphaphum teak plantation, Kanchanaburi province
Abstract:
The purpose of this study was to estimate the environmental economic
value in direct and indirect use, as well as a non-use value or existence value. The
non-use value is assessed by applying a contingent valuation method (CVM) with
close-ended questions. The willingness to pay (WTP) is estimated to support
Thongphaphum plantation for conservation and reforestation activities to be continued
in the future.
The results of TTP valuation showed the direct use value included the
value of timber forest product at 396.21x106 baht and the value of non-timber forest
product at 1.15x106 baht/year. In the case of the indirect use value, carbon
sequestration of teak tree was valued at 132.01x106 baht. It is found that, in municipal
areas, age as a variable of the study and has a significant different at p = 0.05, while
occupation of private business and labour have the same significant value at p = 0.1.
In case of local people, age and marital status are statistically different at p = 0.1.
These variables affected to the willingness to pay (WTP). The non-use value as an
existence value of TTP by CVM method is 10,951.37x106 baht.
In conclusion, the environmental economic value of TTP is estimated
as 11,480.74x106 baht, while the benefit from TTP as timber forest product is only
396.21x106 baht. Therefore, the government and FIO should encourage the eco-tour
activity in plantation of FIO in Thailand and promote information, knowledge and the
positive attitudes regarding to implementation of plantations to the public