Development of disaster risk reduction policy in Thailand

Abstract

Purpose

This exploratory study discusses the policy learning process of the development of disaster risk reduction (DRR) policy.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper discusses how DRR has and has not developed in Thailand through the two major disasters: the 2004 Indian Ocean Tsunami and the 2011 Great Flood. The information was collected by documentary analysis to gain a historical and critical understanding of the development of the system and policy of DRR in Thailand. Additionally, key stakeholders' interviews were undertaken to supplement the analysis.

Findings

The paper demonstrates that Thailand's DRR development has been “reactive” rather than “proactive”, being largely directed by global DRR actors.

Research limitations/implications

Being a small-scale study, the sample size was small. The analysis and argument would be consolidated with an increase in the number of interviews.

Practical implications

The model can help deconstruct which dimension of the learning process a government has/has not achieved well.

Originality/value

The application of the “restrictive-expansive policy learning” model, which identifies different dimensions of policy learning, reveals that the Thai government's policy learning was of a mixed nature.

Citation

Kitagawa, K. (2020), "Development of disaster risk reduction policy in Thailand", Disaster Prevention and Management, Vol. ahead-of-print No. ahead-of-print. https://doi.org/10.1108/DPM-08-2019-0244