Cover and section photo credits Cover Photo: “Wat Yai Chai Mongkhon, Ayutthaya” (Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya, Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya, Thailand) by DavideGorla is licensed under CC BY-2.0. https://www.flickr.com/photos/66321334@N00/16578276372/in/photolist-4Baas4 Country Overview Section Photo: “Long-tail Boat” (Mueang Krabi, Krabi, Thailand) by Ellen Munro is licensed under CC BY-2.0. https://www.flickr.com/photos/ellenmunro/4563601426/in/photolist-7XgDHd Disaster Overview Section Photo: “Bang Niang Tsunami Alert Center”, (Thailand) by Electrostatico is licensed under CC BY-2.0. https://www.flickr.com/photos/electrostatico/321187917/in/photolist-4MJtUH Organizational Structure for DM Section Photo: “Cobra Gold 18: Disaster Relief Rescue Operations” (Chachoengsao, Thailand) by Cpl. Breanna Weisenberger, III Marine Expeditionary Force. February 22, 2018. https://www.dvidshub.net/image/4159865/cobra-gold-18-disaster-relief-rescue-operations Infrastructure Section Photo: “Multicolored Traffic Jam in Bangkok” (Bang Khun Phrom, Bangkok, Thailand) by Christian Haugen is licensed under CC BY-2.0. https://www.flickr.com/photos/christianhaugen/3344053553/in/photolist-66v9BK Health Section Photo: “Hospital, Boats & Shops along the River” (Bangkok, Thailand) by Kathy is licensed under CC BY-2.0. https://www.flickr.com/photos/44603071@N00/14175574498/in/photolist-7XA9h6 Women, Peace and Security Section Photo: “Woman in Blue, Floating Market” (Bangkok, Thailand) by Julia Maudlin is licensed under CC BY-2.0. https://www.flickr.com/photos/juliamaudlin/14915627946/in/photolist-oJ3ux5 Conclusion Section Photo: “Floating Market, Thailand” (Ratchaburi, Thailand) by Russ Bowling, is licensed under CC BY-2.0 https://www.flickr.com/photos/robphoto/2901557255/in/photolist-5qpeTe Appendices Section Photo: “Bangkok, Chinatown” (Samphanthawong Khwaeng, Bangkok) by Chrisgel Ryan Cruz is licensed under CC BY-2.0. https://www.flickr.com/photos/arcibaldo/10248821784/in/photolist-gBDTDS 2 Center for Excellence in Disaster Management & Humanitarian Assistance Table of Contents Welcome - Note from the Director ...........................................................................................................7 About the Center for Excellence in Disaster Management & Humanitarian Assistance ...............8 Disaster Management Reference Handbook Series Overview ......................................................9 Executive Summary ....................................................................................................................................10 Country Overview ..........................................................................................................12 Culture .......................................................................................................................................................12 Demographics .........................................................................................................................................12 Ethnic Makeup .................................................................................................................................12 Key Population Centers ................................................................................................................13 Language ...........................................................................................................................................13 Religion ..............................................................................................................................................13 Vulnerable Groups .........................................................................................................................13 Economics ................................................................................................................................................14 Government .............................................................................................................................................15 Environment ............................................................................................................................................15 Geography ........................................................................................................................................15 Borders ...............................................................................................................................................15 Climate ...............................................................................................................................................16 Climate Change ...............................................................................................................................16 Disaster Overview .........................................................................................................18 Hazards ......................................................................................................................................................18 Recent History of Natural Disasters .................................................................................................19 Country Risks ...........................................................................................................................................19 Country Risk Profile ........................................................................................................................20 Thailand Disaster Management Reference Handbook | May 2018 3 Organizational Structure for Disaster Management ..................................................22 Disaster Risk Management Platforms and Institutions ............................................................22 Organizations in Thailand ...................................................................................................................25 The Thai Red Cross .........................................................................................................................28 U.S. Government Agencies in Thailand ..........................................................................................28 Participation in International Organizations ................................................................................30 Foreign Disaster Relief and Emergency Response .....................................................................30 Laws, Policies, and Plans on Disaster Management ..................................................................31 Education and Training ........................................................................................................................32 Disaster Management Communications.......................................................................................32 Early Warning Systems ..................................................................................................................33 Responsible Agencies for Flood and Storm Warning ........................................................33 Military .......................................................................................................................................................34 Infrastructure .................................................................................................................36 Airports ......................................................................................................................................................36 Seaports ....................................................................................................................................................38 Land Routes .............................................................................................................................................38 Roads ...................................................................................................................................................38 Railways ..............................................................................................................................................39 Waterways .........................................................................................................................................40 Schools ......................................................................................................................................................40 Disaster Risk Reduction in the Education Sector ................................................................41 Communications ....................................................................................................................................41 Utilities .......................................................................................................................................................41 Power ..................................................................................................................................................41 Water and Sanitation .....................................................................................................................42 Health .............................................................................................................................44 Health Overview.....................................................................................................................................44 4 Center for Excellence in Disaster Management & Humanitarian Assistance