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Does Basic Services Privatisation Benefit the Urban Poor? Some Evidence from Water Supply Privatisation in Thailand

Author

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  • Saeed Zaki

    (Department of Urban Environmental Management (UEM), Asian Institute of Technology (AIT), PO Box 4, Khlong Luang, Pathumthani, 12120, Thailand, saeed.zaki.j@gmail.com)

  • A.T.M. Nurul Amin

    (Department of Urban Environmental Management (UEM), Asian Institute of Technology (AIT), PO Box 4, Khlong Luang, Pathumthani, 12120, Thailand, nurul@northsouth.edu)

Abstract

Access to safe water and sanitation has been a development priority for decades. This is also included in the millennium development goal targets. Meanwhile, privatisation of water supply continues to be a subject of intense debate, particularly as to its effects on the urban poor. The arguments for and against often reflect the intellectual divide between socialist ideals and neo-liberal pragmatism. Key issues are access, quality and price. This paper reports findings from an investigation of Thailand’s first water supply privatisation scheme implemented in 1998. Household-level data for the poor, defined by community and income status, show a significant improvement in access to piped water despite an increase in the connection cost and monthly charges. The associated benefits from access include improved water quality and service. A promising plus is the prospect of improvement in tenure status for the households living in informal settlements.

Suggested Citation

  • Saeed Zaki & A.T.M. Nurul Amin, 2009. "Does Basic Services Privatisation Benefit the Urban Poor? Some Evidence from Water Supply Privatisation in Thailand," Urban Studies, Urban Studies Journal Limited, vol. 46(11), pages 2301-2327, October.
    • Handle: RePEc:sae:urbstu:v:46:y:2009:i:11:p:2301-2327
    DOI: 10.1177/0042098009342902
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

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    2. Barbosa, Alexandro & Brusca, Isabel, 2015. "Governance structures and their impact on tariff levels of Brazilian water and sanitation corporations," Utilities Policy, Elsevier, vol. 34(C), pages 94-105.

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