Application of Remote Sensing and GIS for Mapping Suitable Oil palm Area in Thailand: Case study in Surat Thani Province, Southern Thailand

摘要

Oil palm is an important economic crop in South-east Asia region, it is used to produce biodissel, an oil replacement which quantity is insufficient for consumption and the price tend to be more expensive in the near future. The objective of this study is to apply the Remote Sensing technology and GIS to map planted and suitable area for oil palm under the proper environment to produce high yield, high quality in the southern part of Thailand. By using LANDSAT-TM data, the area of oil palm plantation in Surat Thani province was found out to be 831.47 sq.km. Or 6.56 % of total province area, with additional data, for example soil suitability map, water resource, climatic data, topographic map and oil palm variety have been used to produce the model. The result of the study indicated that the suitable area for oil palm plantation is 8517 sq.km. Or 67.18 % of total province area. Further study in the eastern part of Thailand also get the same result. Finally it is confirmed that Remote Sensing and GIS is useful for mapping of suitable oil palm area plantation.