Satisfaction and Readiness of Network Members for Solving Forest Fire and Haze Problems in Kanchanaburi Province

Abstract

The objectives of this study were to determine socio–economic characteristics, the satisfaction level on activities promoting participation of network members for solving forest fire and haze problems, the readiness level on forest fire control, factors affecting satisfaction and the readiness of network members to solve forest fire and haze problems in Kanchanaburi province, Thailand. Data were gathered using a designed questionnaire for interviews with 270 members using a stratified random sampling method. Analysis was based on frequency, percentage, minimum, maximum, mean, t–test and F–test statistics.
Based on the results of this study, 55.6% of the respondents were female, with the average age of all respondents being 46.8 years. Mostly respondents had graduated at the primary school level (50.4%) and the main occupation was agriculture (41.1%), with an average annual income of 95,395.78 baht. Most respondents had never been trained in forest fire control (74.4%), though 53.7% had received support for forest fire extinguishing tools but most never received an annual budget (84.8%). There was a high level of knowledge about forest fires and forest fire control (64.8%). Furthermore, satisfaction and readiness were both at the high level with average scores of 3.71 and 3.59, respectively. Factors affecting satisfaction were: age, educational level, minor occupation, had received support for forest fire extinguishing tools, had received an annual budget and had knowledge about forest fires and forest fire control. Factors affecting readiness were: age, minor occupation, had received support for forest fire extinguishing tools, had received an annual budget and had knowledge about forest fires and forest fire control.