Adaptation in Central Thailand

1. Adaptation in Central Thailand Socio-Ecological Systems: Environment, Development and Sustainability Conference 2016 Nuttavikhom (Kay) Phanthuwongpakdee King’s College London & National University of Singapore

2. Where is Thailand & Central Thailand

3. Flood An overflow of a large amount of water beyond its normal limits, especially over what is normally dry land. 2005 Flood in New Orleans 2007 African Flood 2010 China Flood 2010 Pakistan Flood 2013-2014 Flood in the UK and Ireland 2014-2015 Malaysian Flood

4. Climate Change Political Divide Deforestation Not Enough Protections Karma Mismanagement

5. Geographical Features of Thailand

6. Flooding Events in Thailand

7. Thai Way of Life

8. Water Management in Central Thailand

9. 2011 Mega-Flood

10. Questions Even with huge investments, long experience with flooding, and the incorporation of “people-centered” development, why many people in Thailand are still vulnerable to flood? How to adapt, in a resilience manner, to flood in Central Thailand? Resilience: the capacity to adjust and adapt for the better to threats and avoid harm from future events with minimal or no outside assistance.

11. Theoretical Framework • Political Ecology • The vulnerabilities of people to disaster is not “natural”, but is rather the result of political, economic, and social systems (Hewitt 1983; Mustafa 2013); • Pressure and Release (PAR) Model. • Pragmatism • Where feasible, adaptation to or accommodation of flood hazard rather than the "structural" solutions (White 1945; Kate 2007).

12. ( ) Response f Vulnerability Risk Hazard = Exposure Adapted from Mustafa (2009)

13. Pressure and Release (PAR) Model Adapted from Blaikie et al. (1994) & Wisner (2004) Disaster Unsafe Conditions Hazard Dynamic Pressures Root Causes

14. Study Areas Case 2 Case 1 Case 3

15. Data Collection • Review of documents • In-depth, open-ended interviews with residents & officials • 47 participants in Case 1 • 42 participants in Case 2 • 14 participants in Case 3 • Participant observation **Parts of the interviews were voice-recorded. Perception Adaptation Resilience

16. Local Flood Perceptions • Floods, including the occasional big ones, are believed to be normal occurrences. • Flood is one of the concerns but it is not perceivedas the greatest concern. • Views on flood protection vary. • Many saw the 2011 Mega-Flood as a political disaster. • Many adaptations reflect the traditional practices but not all anticipated ones can be employed. • Residents do not know about the future disaster and development policies.

17. Root Causes • Modernization • Urbanization • Industrialization • “Technologicalization” • Marginalization • Limited Access to Resources (including Power)

18. Dynamic Pressures • Technocratic Policies • Centralized Policies (official until 1997) • Patronage System • Some Cultural Practices / Beliefs • Laissez-faire urban growth and expansion of industrial areas and other important amenities into floodplain • Disparagement of some traditional beliefs and practices • Government Corruption • Inefficient Officials

19. Bangkok until 1922 Images created for LSE Cities ‘Yangon Urban Growth Analytics’ project

20. Bangkok in 1922-1953 Images created for LSE Cities ‘Yangon Urban Growth Analytics’ project

21. Bangkok in 1953-1974 Images created for LSE Cities ‘Yangon Urban Growth Analytics’ project

22. Bangkok in 1974-2000 Images created for LSE Cities ‘Yangon Urban Growth Analytics’ project

23. Bangkok in 2015 Images created for LSE Cities ‘Yangon Urban Growth Analytics’ project

24. Unsafe Conditions • Physical • Higher Flood Risk, Exposure and Vulnerability • Unfair Structural Protections • Economic • Too dependent on activities in the floodplains • Social • Change in Lifestyle • Too Submissive • Cognitive & Political Biases • Low Risk Perception • Governance • Lack of Public Participation • Struggle for Power – No Continuity & No Communication

25. Case 1 – Local Responses

26. Case 1 – Government Responses

27. Case 2 – Local Reponses

28. Case 2 – Government Responses

29. Case 3 – Local Reponses

30. Adaptation in a resilient manner • Encourage preparedness and risk awareness • Collective actions • Reduce overreliance on structural measures • Promote traditional knowledge • Education (e.g. swimming, how to row boat, what plants are safe to eat) • Integration of traditional and modern knowledge • Highlight the role of religion • Concepts such as karmaand impermanence • Temples as shelters / religion as way to reduce stress • Strengthen the roles of local government • Decentralization • Local government is local people who know about the areas and the people more than the central government

31. “Floods are an act of God, but flood losses are largely an act of man”Gilbert F White (1911-2006) “I used to think the top global environmental problems were biodiversity loss, ecosystem collapse and climate change. I thought that with 30 years of good science we could address those problems. But I was wrong. The top environmental problems are selfishness, greed and apathy… and to deal with those we need a spiritual and cultural transformation” James Gustave Speth Thank you