The Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment (MONRE) has as its vision "to return the natural environment to the Thai people and to work towards the incorporation of natural resources and the environment in the Government’s national agenda as these provide the basis for social and economic development”.
The MONRE vision supports proactive integration of the administrative management of natural resources, environmental protection, and biological diversity, based on the principles of public participation and good governance.
Establishment of the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment - MONRE
In line with efforts to improve the Thai Government bureaucracy, ministerial functions were restructured and rationalized. MONRE is a young ministry established in accordance with the Administrative Organization of the State Act B.E. 2534 amended in B.E. 2545. Stipulations under the Act provide for the pursuit of a holistic people-centered approach; improvement of government procedures; overall efficiency and effectiveness; cost-effectiveness; elimination of bureaucratic red tape; cessation of inessential line agencies; people empowerment and delegation of power; social accountability; facilitation; and a process-oriented management to replace a performance-oriented management. To make these paradigms happen, bureaucratic services to the public through a "task group” were provided with a one-stop service at all levels of administration. The need for public vigilance to help ensure the sustainability of natural resources and the environment is enshrined in the 1997 Constitution of the Kingdom of Thailand. It provides the directive principles behind the fundamental state policies, stating "the State shall promote and encourage public participation in the preservation, maintenance and use of natural resources and biological diversity”. Participation includes promotion and sustainable use of natural resources and the environment. Pollution control and elimination to promote public wealth and quality of life are also encouraged.
