Who and what is to be involved in successful coastal zone management: a Thailand example

Successful coastal zone management (CZM) requires the participation of five sectors: local people, government authorities, non-governmental organizations (NGOs), scientists and investors. NGOs must play an important role in providing the opportunities for all sectors to meet and talk with each other. All the parties involved should have the chance to express and exchange their opinions. They should be able to discuss the problems they are facing and how they would like them to be solved. When all needs and problems have been discussed scientists or academics could then provide their expertise in formulating the CZM plan. The plan should reflect all the needs each sector has expressed as well as mitigation measures for implementation. Such- a co-management process should result in a satisfactory and sustainable CZM plan. This plan should be monitored and revised whenever it is seen fit. This is the pattern that Thailand is experiencing.