Abstract:
Transboundary air pollution has been a recurrent phenomenon in the ASEAN region to various degrees over the years. These incidences have arisen due mainly to the cumulative effect of slash and burn and/or other types of moderate to large-scale burning to clear land for growing agricultural crops such as pulp wood, rubber and, especially, oil palm. Some of the plots are held by small holder farmers while a good proportion belong to large plantation owners. These illegal burning activities, particularly in Indonesia, are believed to have caused haze across the Southeast Asian region. Based on the patronage system theory, this paper aims to investigate the causes of transboundary haze in the region with a particular focus on Indonesia as well as on how Indonesian governments have responded to this issue over time. In conclusion, this paper offers policy suggestions to deal with regional haze problem both for the Thai government and ASEAN.