Politics in Controlling the Policies of the National Water Resources Office 2018

Abstract

The objectives of this research were to study 1) the origin and entry into the decision-making agenda of the National Water Resources Policy 2018; 2) the politics in the formulation of the National Water Resources Policy 2018 and the establishment of the Office of National Water Resources (ONWR); and 3) the problems of water resources management under the operations of ONWR during 2018-2023 and recommendations. Qualitative research was used to collect data through in-depth interviews with 14 relevant experts.

The results of the research found that: 1) The establishment of the National Water Resources Office. The main origin of the establishment of the National Water Resources Office was that there was no agency to oversee the overall picture of water management, especially the 2011 flood problem. The driving force of water management in Thailand relies on 3 main pillars: the National Water Resources Committee, the National Water Resources Office, and the National Water Resources Act B.E. 2561.; 2) Found that (1) the policies of the national water resources and the establishment of the Office of National Water Resources (ONWR) occurred during the National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO) intended to push for the establishment of a water management agency and the authority to consider and give orders is under the National Water Resources Act 2018. (2) The influence of the National Council for Peace and Order came from the need for a national water resources agency in the form of a ministry or an agency under the Prime Minister's Office, which has affected the work of the bureaucracy that is related to political interests. And 3) the problems, found that (1) the National Water Resources Office did not see all the plans of all agencies on water. There was overlapping work plans, making it impossible to integrate work as a policy maker and/or as a policy implementer. (2) There were structural problems in data integration. There was a separation of water resource management by water source, which still conflicted with the relationship and connection of basic water resources, mainly adhering to their own specific laws. (3) Communication to create understanding for both local administrative organizations and the public, and recommendations found that (1) Implementation of water resource policies in river basins is a duty stipulated by law. We should urgently push for the National Water Act. (2) Develop the National Water Resources Organization and River Basin Committees in policy-making and policy drafting to reduce duplication and increase continuity in development and administration. (3) River basin committees, water user organizations, and agencies in the government sector should be aware of and understand the roles and responsibilities of the National Water Resources Office and (4) Use of innovation to increase efficiency and extend water management to cope with the future.