Back in 1992, the government classified 18 areas with severe pollution problems as Pollution Control Areas, in which additional environmental oversights -- such as tougher air and wastewater emission standards -- would be applied.
Since then, local administrations in these areas, which include Pattaya, Phuket, Saraburi's Na Phra Lan district, and Map Ta Phut Industrial Estate in Rayong, are eligible to receive extra budget to operate wastewater treatment plants, acquire incinerators and other pollution-monitoring equipment.
