Proceedings of International Conference on Integrated Solid Waste Management in Southeast Asian Cities. Siem Reap, Cambodia, 5-7 July 2005. Thailand: Southeast Asia Urban Environmental Management Applications (SEA-UEMA) Project, Asian Institute of Technology. Enhancing Solid Waste Management Capacity of Local Government Authorities: Review of Current Status in Thailand Samonporn Suttibak 1* & Vilas Nitivattananon 2 * 1 Corresponding Author Urban Environmental Management Field of Study, School of Environment, Resources and Development, Asian Institute of Technology, P.O. Box 4, Klong Luang, Pathumthani 12120, Thailand Samonporn.Suttibak@ait.ac.th 2 vilasn@ait.ac.th Abstract: This paper presents the status of strengthening the capacity of Thailand’s local government authorities (LGAs) in solid waste management (SWM). It aims to review the SWM status, to evaluate existing problems relating to the capacity, and to recommend strategies for enhancing the capacity. A number of performance indicators have been used including technical and environmental, financial and economic, social and cultural, and institutional and organizational aspects. It has been found that the problems are related to decentralization, allocation of limited budget, and lack of trained staff while LGAs take several more responsibilities. Some of the strategies to enhance the capacity of LGAs in SWM that should be considered are: monitoring and evaluating project performances continuously; promoting recycling programs by supporting its budget, manpower and promotion of public participation; increasing number and skills of staff at different levels for required tasks in SWM; increasing efficiency of collection of solid waste fees; promoting and supporting privatization in collection and disposal of solid waste services; and reducing illegal dumpsites and supporting preparation of SWM information and database. Further studies should seek for effective indicators to measure the performance assessment of existing SWM with consideration of data availability and field investigation. Solid waste recycling that should contribute to reducing a large quantity of waste that goes to disposal sites should focus on how to convince LGAs to initiate and implement successful recycling programs. Keywords: Enhancing capacity, local government authorities, municipal solid waste management 1 INTRODUCTION Due to urbanization, rapid industrialization and economic development, population grows with the generation of large quantity of heterogeneous solid waste. Municipal solid waste management (MSWM) is increasing the magnitude of problem in many local government authorities (LGAs) of Thailand, especially the rapidly urbanizing cities. Many LGAs are facing both large quantities of waste that overloads their capacity, and shortage of land to dispose the waste. Zurbrugg (2003) describes that one to two thirds of the solid waste generation in developing countries is not collected. As a result, the uncollected waste, which is often mixed with human and animal excreta, is dumped indiscriminately in streets and in drains, contributing to flooding, breeding of insects and rodent vectors and spread of diseases. Furthermore, even the collected waste is often disposed in uncontrolled dumpsites and/or burnt, polluting water resources and air. Additionally, Suocheng (2001) indicates that a global solid waste crisis is emerging and the world’s municipalities are affected most severely. Buenrostro and Bocco (2003) observe that economic and population growths have rapidly increased the generation of vast quantities of solid waste with high consumption patterns, and the property of solid waste has changed with the people’s lifestyles.