FLOOD SITUATION MANAGEMENT: AN INTERNATIONAL COMPARATIVE STUDY BETWEEN THAILAND AND THE UNITED KINGDOM

Abstract

Flood situation management was studied through an international comparative examination of approaches in Thailand and the United Kingdom (UK). Despite Thailand’s lengthy experience with flood damage and attempts at management plans, policies, and legislations, issues remain. These are caused by the fact that to date, legal measures do not cover the entire management system. Some measures in Thailand are closer to short-term passive responses, rather than active and vigilant preparedness. By contrast, plans and legal measures in the UK are determinedly active responses, involving precautionary and sustainable development principles while analyzing and proposing ways to improve plans and legal measures for flood management.

Results were that most plans and legal measures currently in effect in Thailand and the UK share the same basic principles. These findings suggest that successful flood management in Thailand would depend upon further detail in legal measures through subordinate legislation, to better reflect the UK precedent.