The Application of the Hyogo Framework for Action in Thailand A thesis submitted to the Graduate School of the University of Cincinnati in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of MASTER OF COMMUNITY PLANNING in the School of Planning at the College of Design, Architecture, Art and Planning by NEVENA KRASSIMIROVA KOTZEVA B.S. University of Cincinnati 2011 July 2013 Committee Chair: David J. Edelman, Ph.D. i Abstract: Global climate change is modifying the meteorological rhythms of places all over the world. These shifts are affecting the biological and economic compositions of regions and countries as growing seasons and water availability are affected. Other places experience increased exposure to hazards, intensification of damaging events or even unprecedented disasters. This shared hardship has created many international initiatives to slow the rate of pollution and combat the resulting consequences. The Kingdom of Thailand is an excellent example as it is located in Southeast Asia, which is the most hazard prone area in the world. Recent history has tested the resiliency of this country with the devastating Indian Ocean tsunami and floods of historic proportions. As a result, the many agencies active in disaster preparedness and response work very hard to minimize preventable losses and empower the affected people. Education programs for all levels and roles continue to be at the center of the national strategy, which employs decentralization as a means to cope with the wide variety of conditions present in the country. The United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction (UNODRR) has aided international efforts in developing the Hyogo Framework for Action. This document outlines goals and strategies for countries aiming to improve their ability to withstand the challenges of disaster. While this tool is very general and comprehensive, it allows for many forms of strategy to employ its recommendations and milestones for self-evaluation and improvement. The case study of Thailand will seek to compare the current state of preparedness and mitigation to the measurements and practices given in the Framework. i ii Acknowledgements: An undertaking such as this would have been impossible without the generous support from Mahasarakham University of Thailand. Dr. Tarawut Boonlua, Rutchanoophan Kumsingsree, Nillapat Srisoparbin and Dr. Pondej Chaowarat from the Faculty of Architecture provided invaluable help with the cultural and linguistic challenges that occurred along the way. The use of their infrastructure and resources is also greatly appreciated. A deep debt of gratitude is also owed to the many officials, organizations and lay people who kindly shared information and their observations in contribution to my research. In particular, the Thai Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies, the Asian Disaster Preparedness Center, the Municipality of Patong, the Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation and numerous departments from the United Nations in Bangkok. Special recognition is owed to Prof. Dr. Krasae Chanawongse, Chairat Sukaban, and the many others who represented their constituents and organizations in this research. The guidance and encouragement of my committee was instrumental to the completion of this endeavor. I must thank my committee chair, Dr. David J. Edelman, for his patience and mentorship throughout the lengthy and tumultuous writing process. This project would not exist were it not for his generosity and commitment to the growth of his students. Professors Christopher Auffrey, PhD and Menelaos Triantafillou also provided significant support in the completion of the requirements. My friends and family deserve much credit for aiding the completion of this project. Their sacrifices and love have not gone unnoticed. i Contents 1.Chapter 1: Introduction ................................................................................................. 1 1.1. The World Context........................................................................................... 1 1.2. The Case Study Context ................................................................................... 3 1.3. Research Objectives and Questions ................................................................ 6 2.Chapter 2: The Hyogo Framework for Action .................................................................. 8 2.1. Origin of the Hyogo Framework...................................................................... 8 2.2. The Hyogo Framework Structure .................................................................... 9 2.3. First Priority ..................................................................................................... 9 2.4. Second Priority ............................................................................................... 11 2.5. Third Priority .................................................................................................. 12 2.6. Fourth Priority ............................................................................................... 13 2.7. Fifth Priority .................................................................................................. 14 2.8. Practical Application of Disaster Preparedness............................................ 16 3.Chapter 3: Methodology .............................................................................................. 32 3.1. Study Methodology ....................................................................................... 32 3.2. Choice of Case Study ..................................................................................... 33 4.Chapter 4: Data and Observations ............................................................................... 38 ii 4.1. National Command Structure of Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation ....................................................................................................... 38 4.2. Provincial Command Structure of Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation ....................................................................................................... 42 4.3. Local Command Structure of Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation ....................................................................................................... 43 5.Chapter 5: Conclusions and Recommendations ............................................................ 47 5.1. Conclusions .................................................................................................... 47 5.2. Recommendations ......................................................................................... 50 Works Cited 53 iii Table of Figures Figure 1: A Population Density Map of Thailand Showing the Contrast between the Rural, Agrarian Areas and the Dense Urban Ones. Image courtesy of Encyclopedia Britannica online. ........................................................................................................... 5 Figure 2: International Participation. Source: Global Assessment Report 2011 ..................... 16 Figure 3: Thai Institutional Responsibilities. Source: Japan Media Communication Center ... 31 Figure 4: Response Framework as Established by the Prevention and Mitigation Act of B.E. 2550 (2007). Image courtesy of the Asian Disaster Reduction Center ........................ 39 Figure 5 State of vital services in Phuket Province Source: Nevena Kotzeva ....................... 48 Figure 6 Electrical wiring in Patong Source: Nevena Kotzeva ................................................. 50 i 1. Chapter 1: Introduction 1.1. The World Context Climate change is a global phenomenon that has been very controversial in the science community. While many agree that it is occurring, opinions on cause and rate are highly contested. Whatever one believes, it is hard to deny the amplification of climactic events. The hydrologic cycle, in particular, is experiencing an intensification and acceleration due to the heating of the earth. The warmed air holds more moisture, and the warmer waters evaporate more quickly leading to higher saturation levels. Through the increase in saturation, precipitation events discharge more water and occur more often. (Borenstein 2011) As such, better preparedness on the part of agencies, organizations and private citizens is needed. Climate change threatens to disturb many of the rhythms that have shaped how the human race relates to its surroundings. As the global temperatures increase, many coastal areas are experiencing rising levels of water, earthquakes due to the heating of the Earth’s core and other disastrous events. Hurricanes, in particular, stem from tropical storms that begin in warm waters. As the temperatures of the oceans rise, climatologists predict an increase in frequency. Naturally, many organizations and levels of government seek to prepare and protect the people exposed; however, most of the efforts tend to be localized. (Bagley 2011) Unfortunately, the systems that are currently in use will need major investments in order to adapt to the changing conditions. Many corporations and countries still view disaster preparedness as a luxury. Due to this perception, there is also a lack of political will for the needed changes. It can be said that the apathy is, in part, due to the terminology used in the explanation and classification of events. Flooding, for example, is termed in 1 years. A ten-year flood is perceived as a flood that occurs about every ten years, but this is an error