Thailand Field Site (TFS)

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Location

We are honored that Thailand is the host country for one of the Institute's international field sites, because it is viewed by the surrounding countries of Southeast Asia as a model for future development. Thailand has international environmental programs that train people from Vietnam, Malaysia, the Philippines, China, Indonesia, and Laos. Many of the environmental/energy related problems experienced in Thailand today are, or will be, experienced in other developing/industrializing countries. The Thailand Field Site itself is hosted by King Mongkut's University of Technology Thonburi (KMUTT).

As comfort with the Thai lifestyle and language proficiency increases, UNC students, along with their Thai student colleagues, often take trips to Hill Tribe villages, or go on mountain rafting and elephant treks. Some even visit Laos and Malaysia, or Thai rural communities that have not changed very much in the past century.

Timing

The program runs from early January to late July (spring semester). UNC students return to North Carolina in time to start the fall semester.

Award Opportunities

Please visit the Institute's Awards & Scholarships page for more information on these awards

Coursework

The following courses will be offered:

ENST 490: Life Cycle Analysis (LCA)
ENST 403: Introduction to Environmental Chemistry
ENST 698: Capstone (3 hours)
ENST 395: Research in Energy
Energy electives - Students can pick up to two electives from a wide range of energy courses. The courses can count for a student's concentration or minor classes.

Coursework for this field site would be suitable for students pursuing a concentration area in Energy, Environmental Infrastructure and Sustainability.

Faculty

UNC Professor of Environmental Sciences and Engineering Richard Kamens oversees the Thailand Field Site and leads the Capstone
Dr. Shabbir Gheewala, KMUTT, teaches the Life Cycle Analysis course

Published Student Research

Noah Kitner, Shabbir Gheewala, Richard M. Kamens, An Environmental Life cycle Comparison of Crystalline and thin-film Photovoltaic Systems in Thailand, submitted to Energy Policy, December, 2011
David R. Bell, Thapat Silalertruksa, Shabbir H. Gheewala, Richard Kamens, The Net Cost of Biofuels in Thailand - An Economic Analysis, Energy Policy 39, 834-843, 2011.
Austin Milt, Aaron Milano, Savitri Garivait, Richard Kamens, Effects of 10% biofuel substitution on ground level ozone formation in Bangkok, Thailand, Atmos. Environ 43, 5962-5970, 2009.