Author: Walaiphan Wattanabenjaphat
AIT Library Call Number: AIT Thesis no.DS-26-01
Year: 2026
Academic Program: Development and Sustainability (DS)
Type: Thesis (M.Sc.) – Asian Institute of Technology, 2026
Examination Committee: Vilas Nitivattananon (Chairpeson); Takiju W. Tsusaka, Guilberto H. Borongan (Examination Committee Members)
Abstract: Globally, the tourism and food service sector generates substantial food waste, particularly in emerging Asian regions where waste infrastructure has not kept pace with tourism growth. Empirical, establishment level evidence linking waste characterization, multi-stakeholder governance, and environmental and economic assessment in such contexts remains scarce. This study applies a circular economy approach to tourism food waste in the Bangkok Metropolitan Region (BMR) by (1) assessing waste generation, composition, and recovery potential across 18 establishments (2) developing a multi-stakeholder framework to identify coordination gaps and enabling conditions and (3) analyzing governance, environmental, and economic performance through a RACI matrix and scenario based quantification. A mixed-methods case study was conducted across 18 establishments (hotels, restaurants, and small eateries) in three BMR areas: Sathon, Nakhon Pathom, and Samut Prakan. Data were collected through on-site waste audits, surveys, and interviews with waste generators, authorities, energy operators, and agricultural actors. Analysis combined non-parametric statistics, biophysical modeling of biogas and greenhouse gas (GHG) scenarios, economic viability assessment (NPV, EAC, and abatement cost) with four-dimension sensitivity testing, and thematic analysis to produce a multi-stakeholder framework and RACI governance matrix. The results show that food waste generation is driven by establishment type rather than location, with low current circularity. A dual-pathway circular model integrating anaerobic digestion and composting within a multi-level governance structure is developed, identifying key coordination gaps and enabling conditions. Scenario analysis indicates that full off-site valorization is the most viable configuration in environmental and economic terms, while the Feed-in Tariff is identified as the most critical sensitivity lever for economic viability. This study contributes by extending circular economy
Scholarship Donor(s): Royal Thai Government Fellowship
Note: A thesis submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Science in Development and Sustainability
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