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

Thesis (M.Eng.) - Asian Institute of Technology, 1990

Klang Toey is the largest slum area of Bangkok with a population of 32000 inhabitants living in 6900 houses. The most of the area of Klang Toey is congested , densely populated and environment ally deteriorated. Due to poor environment , lack of wastewater and solid waste disposal facilities and poverty there is a higher number of people affected by water and waste related diseases. This study has been conducted using the household surveys, systematic field observations and laboratory investigations to find the status of existing sanitation practices and their effect on health. It has been found that Klang Toey Slum itself can be divided into various population strata exposed to varying l eve l o f environmental exposure . There is a variation of score from 4 . 6 recorded in Locks 8 t o 12 as minimum to 7 . 5 as maximum in Upgraded Area. The number of patients affected by water and waste related diseases depend upon environmental rating as only 3. 8% of population reported from Upgraded Area to as high as 7 . 3% reported from Locks 8 to 12 . The percentage of Upper Respiratory Infected patients was recorded as highest , about 77 .1% in the morbidity pattern. No clear evidence of toxic chemicals has been found through laboratory investigations. The water and waste related diseases have been found to be a function of various hygiene and personal habit factors, as poor quality of latrines, the habit of not wearing shoes and habit of water storage. Data has also been compared with the data of Orangi , a slum area in Karachi, Pakistan. Small intervention projects through local and popular NGOs are suggested at community level for immediate implementation and action.