A Study on Willingness to Pay for Air Pollution (PM 2.5) Reduction in Chiang Mai Province

Abstract

The aims of this study include valuation of willingness to pay (WTP) for PM2.5 reduction in Chiang Mai, Thailand by using Contingent Valuation Method (CVM) and study of the factors influencing WTP supporing the project to reduce PM2.5 and its impacts. This study has assessed the valuation of WTP by using the Tobit Model with method of Maximum Likelihood Estimation (MLE) by collecting data from online qustionnaire of totally 405 respondents who living or working in Chiang Mai affected by PM2.5 and using criteria in sorting the groups of samples.

The study revealed that the average of WTP of sampling group is 203.8871 baht per person per year. Factors significantly determined the WTP of sampling group consists of gender, age, income level, history of illness respiratory diseases, period of residence in the area and attitudes of impact on air pollution level. The outcome of this study can be utilized in designing budget for improving of air quality and reducing PM2.5 in Chiang Mai.