Investigating Lateritic Soil Properties and Impacts from Quarrying Activity on Communities in Southern Thailand: A Case Study

Abstract

This paper details the impact arising from the lateritic soil quarrying activity in many communities within Songkhla province of Southern Thailand. The affected communities of Ban Khuan Chong, Ban Huay Oan and Ban Thung Don were selected as target areas for the study based on the suitability of their active quarry sizes and locations which are conspicuous on the aerial photographs of Google Maps, and where permission to collect data was forthcoming from the quarry operators. Assessments were made to determine the extent of impact on the communities in terms of the environment, people's health, and effects on transport infrastructure. Findings from the study are shown on the website: http://techno.nstru .ac.th/piti/project in order to help promote responsible quarrying and use of lateritic soil in the construction business. In addition to details of the likely impacts from various types of soil excavation, the website features a database of quarry sites in the province as well as engineering properties of the soils therefrom.