Spatial analysis of social impacts of the Eastern Seaboard Development Programme, Thailand

This study uses relatively simple techniques to study social impacts of the Eastern Seaboard Development Programme (ESDP) of Thailand. Initially, rapid rural appraisal (RRA) is used to become familiar with the problems and issues in the area. The impact network technique is used to present the direct and indirect impacts as perceived in the RRA. Spatial analysis of social indicators is then applied to evaluate the social impacts at district level and by travel time zone. Two approaches are used in the spatial analysis—comparison of impacts between two time periods and application of factor analysis. This type of appraisal would be equally applicable in other developing countries.