Community Rights in Addressing the Impacts of Solid Waste Landfill Sites in Phan Lan Subdistrict, Chum Saeng District, Nakhon Sawan Province, Based on the Fourfold Right Efforts (Sammappadhana)

Abstract

This research article aimed to: (1) examine community rights concerning the municipal solid waste landfill in Phan Lan Subdistrict, Chum Saeng District, Nakhon Sawan Province; (2) analyze the relationship between the Four Right Efforts (Sammappadhana) and community rights in addressing the impacts of the municipal solid waste landfill; and (3) propose guidelines for promoting community rights in mitigating landfill-related problems based on the principles of the Four Right Efforts (Sammappadhana). A mixed-methods approach was employed, comprising primarily quantitative research with 298 respondents affected by the landfill sites. The research instrument was a questionnaire with a reliability coefficient of 0.988. Statistical analyses included frequency, percentage, mean, standard deviation, and Pearson’s correlation coefficient. The qualitative component involved in-depth interviews with 18 key informants, using a structured interview guide, and data were analyzed using descriptive content analysis. The findings revealed that the overall level of community rights concerning the municipal solid waste landfill, based on the principles of the Four Right Efforts (Sammappadhana), was high, with a mean score of 3.61 (S.D. = 0.82). Similarly, the level of community rights in accordance with Section 43 of the Constitution was also high, with a mean score of 3.90 (S.D. = 0.91). Moreover, the relationship between the Four Right Efforts (Sammappadhana) and community rights in addressing the impacts of the municipal solid waste landfill in Phan Lan Subdistrict, Chum Saeng District, Nakhon Sawan Province, was found to be very high (r = 0.905**, p < 0.01). The proposed guidelines for promoting community rights in addressing the impacts of solid waste landfills based on the principles of the Four Right Efforts (Sammappadhana) are as follows: (1) strengthen participatory mechanisms by establishing community environmental committees and creating transparent complaint channels; (2) enhance knowledge and awareness of waste separation while promoting community-based waste banks and recycling systems; (3) provide governmental and local support through waste management projects such as composting and refuse-derived fuel (RDF) production, along with adequate budgets and technological resources; and (4) develop collaborative networks among communities, government agencies, educational institutions, religious organizations, and the private sector to build a resilient and sustainable waste management system.