Community Perception, Satisfaction and Participation toward Power Plant Development in Southernmost of Thailand

Abstract

A quantitative–qualitative mixed method was applied to investigate perception, satisfaction and participation of inhabitants toward the power plant development in Thailand. A total of 1000 households and 20 community leader were selected and were taken in-depth interviewed annually from January 2005 to December 2008. The direct affected inhabitant was expected to exceed 6,325 households in the Nathab River vicinity. Most of the respondents indicated that they knew various project development programs and overall satisfactions of respondents range from 83 to 95%. Male, education, social status, family income and asset, ability of accessing information, sense of democracy, public interest awareness, resources dependence for livelihood, caliber of project public relation staff, frequencies of community visiting and public funding were positively and significantly associated with level of project participation. Participation model is required for the clear guidelines in all stages based on (1) freedom, ability and willingness, (2) two–way communication, (3) transparency, and (4) co-management practice