A thesis submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Science, School of Environment, Resources and Development

Thesis (M.Sc.) - Asian Institute of Technology, 1984

In this study, an attempt is made to investigate the availability of sanitation facilities in rural Thailand , their present condition of in use and the number of users tor each type. The data collection are assembled from two main sources: review of literature/documents and field survey. The interviews have been conducted in ten selected villages of eight sampled provinces by using Stratified multistage sampling method with three specific criteria , i.e. , geography and topography, socio-economic condition and water condition. The results from the Sanitation Division of the Ministry of Public Health show that approximately 91% of all pour-flush (PF) latrines outside municipalities (41.6% in 1977) are being used and , from the study it is found that in terms or technology, economy and social acceptability this type of latrine is undeniable the most satisfactory in rural areas of Thailand. It is reported likewise by the same agency that about 80.9% biogas digesters are functioning. Nevertheless, considering the technological and socio-economic bottlenecks learned from the past, the reported achievement in the rural Thailand is still questionable. From the study, the biogas technology (BGT) and double-vault composting pour-flush (DVCPF} latrine are ascribed as "unproven technology" at present. Approaches to improving sanitation conditions including the most appropriate sanitation options have been suggested. with regards to the techno-socio-economic setting of rural. Thailand, the pour-flush. (PF) and ventilated improved pit (VIP) latrines are the most appropriate sanitation options recommended f or those places without access to latrines. Furthermore, an algorithm tor the selection of sanitation options has been proposed by taking in to account the socio-cultural and economic aspects of t.ne Thai rural people, availability of water supply level, availability of existing sanitation technology and institutional activities and government policies.