ผลงานตีพิมพ์ทั้งหมด

Zero-Burning Strategies for PM2.5 and GHG Mitigation: A Spatial-Temporal Assessment of Crop Residue Burning in Northern Thailand

Sate Sampattagul, Phakphum Paluang, Hisam Samae, Keng-Tung Wu, Shabbir H. Gheewala, Ratchayuda Kongboon

Land · 2026

Agricultural crop residue burning is a major driver of seasonal PM2.5 pollution and greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions in Northern Thailand. This study quantified GHG emissions from the open burning of rice, maize, and sugarcane residues across six provinces (Chiang Mai, Mae Hong Son, Lampang, Uttaradit, Nakhon Sawan, and Kamphaeng Phet) from 2019 to 2024 using the 2006 IPCC emission methodology. Spatiotemporal patterns of fire hotspots were characterized using MODIS and VIIRS satellite data, combined with kernel density estimation (KDE) and land-use classification in ArcGIS Pro. Total non-CO2 GHG emissions (CH4 and N2O, expressed as CO2-eq using GWP100 from IPCC AR5) over the six years totaled 2,599,551 tCO2-eq, with major rice contributing the largest share (35%), followed by sugarcane (24%), second rice (21%), and maize (20%). Nakhon Sawan was the leading emitter (41%), reflecting its extensive rice and sugarcane cultivation. Pearson correlation analysis revealed consistently positive relationships between daily fire hotspot counts and PM2.5 concentrations (r = 0.30–0.84), with the strongest correlations observed in Mae Hong Son, where basin topography traps pollutants. Time-series analysis confirmed pronounced seasonal PM2.5 peaks that exceeded Thailand’s 24-h NAAQS limit (37.5 μg/m3) by 7–9 times in severe years. Biochar production via pyrolysis was evaluated as a zero-burning alternative, with an estimated annual carbon sequestration potential of 2.3–3.5 million tCO2-eq, substantially exceeding emissions from open burning. These findings indicate that crop-residue valorization options—including biochar production, composting, and biochar co-compost—could theoretically offset agricultural GHG emissions and reduce field-burning PM2.5 emissions in Northern Thailand. However, the realized mitigation will depend on (i) verification of biochar long-term stability in tropical Thai soils through dedicated in situ trials, (ii) economic incentives that offset biochar production costs of approximately 1500–3500 THB per tonne, and (iii) integration within a policy mix that combines burning bans, mechanization support, and farmer extension services. Without these enabling conditions, biochar should be regarded as a future-perspective option rather than an immediately deployable solution.

From Local Challenges to Global Solutions Integrating Energy–Environment–Economy for Climate Resilience_MIFS2026

Sate Sampattagul, Ratchayuda Kongboon, Ekkaporn Nawapanan, Phuchiwan Suriyawong, Hisam Samae, Netchanakan Sununta, Nattapong Sangkapong, Thunchanok Thongsamer

Open MIND · 2026

Beyond Forests: A Strategic Framework for Climate-Positive Development from Thailand’s Net-Negative Provinces

Sate Sampattagul, Shabbir H. Gheewala, Ratchayuda Kongboon

Sustainability · 2026

As the global climate discourse shifts from mitigation to achieving net-negative emissions, there is a critical need for replicable, real-world models of climate-positive development at a regional scale, particularly in the Global South. This study addresses this gap by conducting a detailed greenhouse gas (GHG) inventory of four diverse provinces in Thailand and analyzing the results through the newly proposed Climate-Positive Pathways Framework (CPPF). Our findings reveal that all four provinces function as significant net-negative GHG sinks. They achieve this status through three distinct archetypes: a Conservation-Dependent pathway, an Agricultural Frontier pathway, and a novel Agro-Sink pathway. Most significantly, in the Agro-Sink model, we find that in specific economic contexts, managed agricultural landscapes can surpass natural forests as the primary driver of regional carbon removal. This typology provides a new, landscape-scale paradigm for cleaner production, proposing these three archetypes as transferable, evidence-based models for regional policymakers. This underscores that effective climate action requires context-specific regional planning that strategically leverages both natural and agricultural capital.

A Blueprint for Data-Driven Climate Action: A Quantified Mitigation Pathway for Chiang Mai Using GHG Accounting and Spatial Analysis

Sate Sampattagul, Phakphum Paluang, Shabbir H. Gheewala, Ratchayuda Kongboon

Urban Science · 2025

This study develops a replicable, data-driven framework for subnational climate action, demonstrated through a case study of Chiang Mai Province, Thailand. The framework integrates a comprehensive greenhouse gas (GHG) inventory with spatial analysis to identify and quantify location-specific mitigation strategies. Using 2019 as the base year, total emissions were 5,387,482 tCO2e (BASIC+), dominated by stationary energy (40%) and transportation (32%). Under a Business-as-Usual scenario, emissions are projected to reach 6.35 million tCO2e by 2030, highlighting an urgent need for intervention. As a key mitigation strategy, this research conducts a detailed spatial analysis of solar rooftop potential. The findings reveal a significant opportunity: a conservative 30% adoption rate on suitable rooftops could generate approximately 2070 GWh of clean energy annually, leading to an emissions reduction of over 1 million tCO2e. Crucially, this single intervention could offset 16% of the province’s projected 2030 emissions. This study presents a viable pathway for subnational entities to contribute to national climate targets, offering a practical blueprint for other cities and regions globally to develop effective, evidence-based climate action plans.

Green GDP Indicator with Application to Life Cycle of Sugar Industry in Thailand

Ekkaporn Nawapanan, Ratchayuda Kongboon, Sate Sampattagul

Sustainability · 2022

The objective of this study was to develop new indicators that reflect economic growth by taking into account the impact on the environment and natural resources as well. The indicator calculated by subtracting environmental cost from the “Gross Domestic Product (GDP)” and is used in the assessment of the GDP by taking into consideration the cost of natural resources and the environment, called “green GDP”. This study uses Life Cycle Assessment, which is a technique used to assess the environmental impact of sugar industry from raw materials, distribution, production, and waste management. The system boundary for the life cycle inventory are cultivation, planting, transportation and sugar production. The results of the green GDP and GDP is difference about 6–12% due to the depletion cost resulting from the use of natural resources between 9.0–9.52 $/ton of sugar production and the degradation cost caused by the airborne emission and waterborne emission between 37–57 $/ton of sugar production. The quantity of Total Suspended Particulate (TSP) generated from the sugar production process is the main causing the environmental cost about 55%. In order to solve environmental causes, the policy making as Circular Economy Strategies can be used to meet the sustainable development in the future.

Greenhouse gas emissions inventory data acquisition and analytics for low carbon cities

Ratchayuda Kongboon, Shabbir H. Gheewala, Sate Sampattagul

Journal of Cleaner Production · 2022

Empowering a Sustainable City Using Self-Assessment of Environmental Performance on EcoCitOpia Platform

Ratchayuda Kongboon, Shabbir H. Gheewala, Sate Sampattagul

Sustainability · 2021

In Thailand, many municipalities lack the information to guide decision-making for improving environmental performance. They need tools to systematize the collection and analysis of data, and then to self-assess environmental performance to increase efficiency in environmental management toward a sustainable city. The aim of this study is to develop a platform for self-assessment of an environmental performance index. Nonthaburi municipality, Hat Yai municipality, and Yasothon municipality were selected to study the work context for six indicators, viz., energy, greenhouse gas, water, air, waste, and green area, which were important environmental problems. The development of an online system called “EcoCitOpia” divides municipality assessment into four parts: data collection, database creation, data analysis, and data display. The municipality can use the system for the assessment of environmental performance and the creation of a separate database based on indicators. The system can analyze the results and display them in the form of radar graphs, line graphs, and tables for use in public communication that will lead to cooperation in solving environmental problems at the policy level for urban development to meet the Sustainable Development Goals.

Carbon footprint adaptation on green supply chain and logistics of papaya in Yasothon Province using geographic information system

Kunlatida Yachai, Ratchayuda Kongboon, Shabbir H. Gheewala, Sate Sampattagul

Journal of Cleaner Production · 2020

GHG evaluation and mitigation planning for low carbon city case study: Dan Sai Municipality

Netchanakan Sununta, Ratchayuda Kongboon, Sate Sampattagul

Journal of Cleaner Production · 2019

Water Footprint of Bioethanol Production from Sugarcane in Thailand

Ratchayuda Kongboon, Sate Sampattagul

Journal of environment and earth science · 2012

Following Thailand’s policy framework on bioenergy as stipulated in the Alternative Energy Development Plan (AEDP), ethanol use is encouraged and thereby results in increasing cultivation of sugarcane and other ethanol plants. Inadvertently, the use of scarce water resources has increased in tandem. This research aims to assess water footprint (WF) of sugarcane-based bioethanol production in Thailand. The study consists of into two parts, i.e., cultivation and ethanol production processes. The study result shows WF of sugarcane of 226 m 3 /ton, which consists of green WF of 146 m 3 /ton, blue WF of 31 m 3 /ton, and grey WF of 49 m 3 /ton. Based on the AEDP ethanol production targets of 3, 6.2 and 9 million m 3 /day by 2011, 2016, and 2022, demand of water is thus anticipated at 18,041; 37,787 and 54,853 million m 3 /year, respectively. The promotion of ethanol use in such an agricultural country as Thailand is definitely poised to cause the competition for water resources in plant growing for human consumption and energy production. The results of this study can be applied to drawing up the future policy on water and to producing bioethanol in the manner that is the most efficient use of water resources. Keywords: Water footprint, sugarcane, Bioethanol, water resource, Thailand