Waste Management in Koh Samui Municipality

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to investigate the essential needs for waste management operations of the Ko Samui Municipality. The sample size was determined proportionally according to the minimum population of each sub-district, with no fewer than 30 individuals per sub-district, totaling 516 participants from three types of communities: communities focused on commerce, services, and agriculture (Ang Thong Sub-district and Lipanoi Sub-district), totalling 150 participants; communities focused on culture and community-based tourism (Taling Ngam, Na Mueang, and Maret Sub-districts), totaling 165 participants; and communities focused on modern tourism (Bo Phut and Mae Nam Sub-districts), totaling 201 participants. The research instrument was a 5-scale rating questionnaire. The data were analyzed using frequency, percentage, arithmetic mean, standard deviation, and Priority Needs Index (PNI Modified) analysis.

         The findings revealed that citizens’ expectations and the actual implementation of waste management by Koh Samui Municipality, as well as the overall priority needs for waste management, indicated that citizens’ expectations toward municipal waste management were at a high level (= 4.06), whereas the actual implementation was at a moderate level (= 2.82). When considering each aspect, all aspects of waste management implementation were rated at a moderate level. The aspect with the highest mean score was Knowledge and Educational Programs (= 2.95), while the aspect with the lowest mean score was Public Participation (= 2.74). Regarding the overall priority needs for waste management (PNI_Modified=0.305), the aspect with the highest priority need was Incentive and Support Programs (PNI_Modified=0.322), whereas the aspect with the lowest priority need was Knowledge and Educational Programs (PNI_Modified=0.272), respectively.