Role of Local Governon in Preventing and Solving the Smog Problem in Phichai Subdistrict, Mueang District, Lampang Province

Abstract

The purposes of this research were 1) to examine the situation of smog problem at Phichai Subdistrict, Mueang District, Lampang Province; 2) to explore the role of local governor in preventing and resolving the smog problem at Phichai Subdistrict, Mueang District, Lampang Province; and 3) to propose the guideline for promoting the role of local governor in preventing and resolving smog problem according to the Brahmavihāra. This study was a qualitative research method using in-depth interviews with 25 key informants and descriptive content analysis.

The result revealed that:

1) The causes of smog from forest fires can be divided into two causes, including (1) from the human actions that hunter-gatherer and burning the farm in preparation for planting; and (2) from nature of extreme heat and branches rub against each other to be the forest fires. The smog problem had affected to health, air quality, global warming, and ecosystem changes. 

2) The roles of local governor in preventing and resolving the smog problem found that (1) the ideal roles: the local governor had the role in performing duties, the community representation to receive government policies to implement; (2) the realistic role: the local governor had actually done for solving and protecting of forest fires and smog; and (3) the performed roles: the local governor did not perform duties that prevented them from achieving their goals.

3) The application of the Brahmavihāra (sublime states of mind) to promote the role of local governor in preventing and resolving the smog problems found that: Loving-kindness (Mettā), the local governor should promote the value activities such as; Buddhist tree renewal and reforestation; Compassion (Karuņā) was the local governor who must pay attention and help for reducing the smog problems such as, preying on burning and  make a fire barrio; Sympathetic joy (Muditā) was the local governor should be delighted when subordinates work well, such as rewarding and recognizing; and Equanimity (Upekkhā) was the local governor that must be neutral minds such as fines and punishments for offenders.