Politics in Flood Management in the Lower Yom Basin in Sukhothai Province from 2001 to 2023

Abstract

This research article aims to study the the context, problems, obstacles, politics in flood management, and public management towards the solutions for flood problems in the area under investigation from 2001 to 2023. The qualitative research technique was employed. Data were collected from documents and in-depth interviews with eight concerned qualified persons. The technique of focus group discussion was conducted with thirty subjects. Data were analyzed using content analysis techniques. Findings are as follows: (1) The problems and obstacles in flood management were the attempts to ensure that members of the general public understand the canal system in Sukhothai province. (2) Politics in flood management found the following. (2.1) Power politics in resource allocation has been controlled by groups of people with leading political roles who have long been in power. This results in differences in the budget allocations and infrastructures in each area. (2.2) Conflict politics: The coordination of the politicians and public agencies towards flood management found the following. The budget for solving flood problems was used as an instrument for political bargaining. (2.3) Political interactions in flood management in the area under study: Connections and coordination were found in finding the solutions for flood problems. (3) Public management towards the solutions for flood problems found the following. (3.1) The government policy for the management of flood problems under investigation in the aspect of disaster management found to be implemented in regard to the laws, the Acts and the plans for integration. (3.2) The structure of the government policy related to public agencies found that the policy framework/measures/master plan were considered in the top-down dimension with connections. These were in accordance with the Disaster Prevention and Mitigation Plan, B.E. 2564-2570 (2021-2027). (3.3) The roles of public agencies in flood management found to be the roles of the decision makers in the use of agency resources and budget allocations. Each agency determined the plan framework at different levels. Systematic integration and coordination found to be insufficient from upstream, midstream, and downstream. Therefore, the problems could not be immediately solved.