Political Ecology in Asia Dialogue Series: "Disastrous Flooding and Haze in Bangkok"

Earlier this month, we had a discussion with Dr. Danny Marks, who is currently an Assistant Professor of Environmental Politics and Policy in the School of Law and Government of Dublin City University. Dr. Marks research overall has focused on environmental governance in Southeast Asia, in particular with regard to political ecology, environmental justice, climate governance, and disaster risk reduction.

This discussion is the first on the Political Ecology in Asia Dialogue Series. This series is a new initiative of CSDS, and we hold the objective of encouraging rigorous debate through the lens of political ecology on development issues and trends in the region, including social, economic and environmental changes taking place.

Below are the timestamps of the video, in case you want to jump to specific section/question.

• 03:15 Could you outline your analysis of a political ecology of disastrous flooding in Bangkok? What are the underlying reasons why Bangkok is vulnerable to disastrous flooding? What are the key impacts? How does it help explain who is vulnerable to flooding?

• 09:45 To expand a little bit, the flooding takes place not only on the Bangkok city itself but also within the context of the wider Chao Phraya basin. Can you please comment on the wider changes within the basin?

• 12:03 When we talk about the flooding in Bangkok and the wider Chao Phraya basin, are there particular groups of people that are vulnerable and why?

• 15:18 In the context of flooding and the uneven impacts between different groups, what does that mean to your idea of disaster justice?

• 18:15 Having discussed disaster justice, how does your explanation differ from the Thai government explanations?

• 20:54 Could disastrous flooding happen again? Have lessons been learned? Have things changed? What will the future look like if another disaster happens?

• 24:15 What could be the consequences of climate change to a city like Bangkok, especially through the political ecology and disaster justice lens?

• 27:15 What should be the policy recommendations and priority actions taken, with the viewpoint of achieving disaster justice/climate justice?

• 29:20 Every year it seems now, Bangkok suffers severe air pollution in the cool season. Could you explain why haze happens in Bangkok? How can political ecology help us analyze it

• 33:37 Is the issue of injustice and inequality in haze being recognised, let alone being addressed in policy or even public discussion?

• 36:11 Is haze here to stay in Bangkok, or do you see any condition under which there could be cleaner air in the city and what would it take for it to happen?

• 39:46 Beyond the topics that we have focused on today, your work has extended to several other topics including plastic pollution, electricity planning, etc. Are there any connections between your works? Are there shared traits in terms of their political ecologies that you could draw out?

• 42:34 Regarding a political ecology research agenda in Thailand and Southeast Asia, what would be your suggestions for key priorities?

EVENT [RESOURCES]: New Research on COVID 19 and its Consequences: People, Planet and Inclusive Society [Online, 30 July 2020]

On 30 July 2020, Institute of Asian Studies and Center of Excellence in Resource Politics for Social Development, Chulalongkorn University organized an Online Panel Discussion on New Research on COVID 19 and its Consequences: People, Planet and Inclusive Society. It was part of the public Session organized for the International Conference on New research in international development, human rights, and international relations at a time of disruption.

Topics Covered:

• “COVID-19: Risks of Lives and Emerging of Social Movement of Migrant Workers in Chiang Rai Borderland” by Suebsakul Kidnukorn, Area-based Social Innovation Research Center (Ab-SIRC), Mae Fah Luang University

• “Tamsang-Tamsong: Social Distancing Promotion and Job Security for Motorcycle Taxi and Food Vendors during the Covid-19 Crisis” by Akkanut Wantanasombut, Mekong Studies Center, Institute of Asian Studies, Chulalongkorn University

• “Rethinking the Future of Thai Fisheries: COVID-19 and Vulnerable Groups in Thai Fisheries Sector” by Nithis Thammaseangadipa, Asian Research Center for Migration, Institute of Asian Studies, Chulalongkorn University

• “COVID- 19, Civil Society in Thailand’s Deep South and the Weak State” by Alisa Hasamoh, Faculty of Humanities and Social Development, Prince of Songkla University

The panel was moderated by Naruemon Thabchumpon from the Institute of Asian Studies and Center for Social Development Studies, Chulalongkorn University.

If you missed the discussion, or if you want to revisit, you can watch the discussion below.

New Research on COVID 19 and its Consequences: People, Planet and Inclusive Society Public Session organized for the International Conference on New research...

EVENT [RESOURCES]: Haze and Social (In)Justice in Southeast Asia: Past Experience and What Next? [Online, 29 July 2020]

On Wednesday, 29 July 2020, Center for Social Development Studies at the Faculty of Political Science, Chulalongkorn University organized a panel discussion focusing on the issue of social justice and air pollution. It was a Public Session organized for the International Conference on New research in international development, human rights, and international relations at a time of disruption.

The discussion examined how various economic, social and political inequalities intersect in relation to air pollution in terms of its creation and exposure, and the consequences for individuals, families and society as-a-whole.

Presentation Files:

• “COVID-19 and Haze: Implications on Health, Fires, and Social Justice” by Dr. Helena Varkkey, Department of Strategic and International Studies, University of Malaya

• “From Maize to Haze” by Daniel Hayward, Regional Centre for Social Science and Sustainable Development, Chiang Mai University

• “Right to Clean Air in Thailand's Time of Pandemic” by Tara Buakamsri, Greenpeace Southeast Asia

• “PMHAZE a People's Movement to Stop Haze” by Benjamin Tay, PM Haze

The panel was chaired by Asst. Prof. Dr. Carl Middleton from the Center for Social Development Studies, Faculty of Political Science, Chulalongkorn University.

If you missed the discussion, or if you want to revisit, you can watch the discussion below.

Haze and Social (In)Justice in Southeast Asia: Past Experience and What Next? Public Session organized for the "International Conference on New research in i...

EVENT [RESOURCES]: Building Power from Within: Rural and Indigenous Community Organizing [Online, 31 March 2020]

On Tuesday, 31 March 2020, The 2020 Rotary Peace Fellows’ Working Group and the Center for Social Development Studies at the Faculty of Political Science, Chulalongkorn University organized an interactive dialogue with community leaders from Lower-Mekong countries on participatory processes to decrease power disparities and foster meaningful social change.

Due to the current public health measures, the event was held as an online panel discussion hosted via Zoom. There were around 50 to 60 participants joining the online discussion.

If you missed the discussion, or if you want to revisit, you can watch the discussion below.

EVENT [RESOURCES]: The Mekong Drought: Impact and Solutions [Bangkok, 2 August 2019]

On August 2, 2019, Center for Social Development Studies co-organized a panel discussion on “The Mekong Drought: Impact and Solutions". The discussion is organized as part of the 8th Chula ASEAN Week and 5th Parliementaty ASEAN Community Forum.

The discussion explored how the Lancang-Mekong basin is currently facing a severe drought, with serious consequences for communities living within the basin. The drought takes place in the context of increasingly extensive hydropower dam construction in the basin on the mainstream and tributaries. These projects have expanded water storage capacity that could potentially alleviate drought, but have also impacted the natural hydrology and ecology of the river with a range of negative consequences for existing riparian livelihoods. Meanwhile, intergovernmental cooperation towards the Lancang-Mekong River is evolving with the launch of the Lancang Mekong Cooperation in 2016 alongside the existing Mekong River Commission. The panel discussed the impact of the drought currently affecting the Mekong River basin, including on rural farming and fishing communities, its causes, and the immediate and long-term solutions.

Chaiwat Parakhun as representative of the Thai Mekong Network shared some pictures to illustrate the severity of the droughts:

He also shared some pictures of the area before the drought, to provide contrast:

Other three speakers participated in the event; Niwat Roykaew from Rak Chiang Khong, Suphakit Nuntavorakarn from Healthy Public Policy Foundation and Dr. Carl Middleton from Center for Social Development Studies, Faculty of Political Science, Chulalongkorn University. Also joining as chair was Emeritus Professor Surichai Wun’gaeo from Center for Peace and Conflict Studies, Chulalongkorn University.

If you missed the event, you can get some of the presentations below:

• Problems and solutions for the Electricity Sector by Suphakit Nuntavorakarn

• The Mekong Drought and A Regional Rules Based Regime by Dr. Carl Middleton

You can also access the Facebook Live feed of the event below:

EVENT [REPORT]: Disaster and Displacement - A Human Rights Perspective [Bangkok, 28-29 November 2018]

On 29 November 2018, the Center for Social Development Studies (CSDS) hosted a workshop led and coordinated by our partner the Raoul Wallenberg Institute, to discuss about disaster and displacement in Asia Pacific. The discussion is part of a ten-country study on a range of types of disaster and displacement scenarios understood through a human rights perspective. The overall study examines how state actors fulfill their obligations to prevent displacement, conduct evacuation, protect people during displacement, and facilitate durable solutions in the aftermath. Aspects of the ongoing research were presented during the workshop by the researchers involved.

Regarding the prevention of displacement, the experience of Thailand and the Philippines were shared. For Thailand, Dr. Carl Middleton from Center for Social Development Studies (CSDS), Chulalongkorn University, presented on the 'Hat Yai Model', which is an effort to develop ‘soft infrastructure’ in the form of improved flood warning, and the strengthening of local government, community, civil society and local business capacity and collaboration to live with floods over the several days when it occurs. While it still has room for improvement, the researchers propose that the ‘Hat Yai Model’ as a preventative measure should be widely promoted in Thailand and beyond as a means to promote constructive state and non-state cooperation, enhance community empowerment and awareness, as well as to reduce the community’s vulnerability to flood disaster. Ryan Jeremiah D. Quan from Ateneo de Manila University School of Law presented the research on displacement prevention effort in the Philippines, particularly during the Typhoon Haiyan, which revealed that even though there is a disaster prevention system in place, there is a gap between the guidelines that are implemented by the government agencies on the national and provincial level and the experience and needs of the local government personnel in the field.

The studies from Indonesia and Vanuatu provided insights about the evacuation process, especially for vulnerable groups. The study on Indonesia was presented by Andika Putra from ASEAN Studies Center, Universitas Gadjah Mada (UGM). The study, which focused on recurrent eruptions of Mount Sinabung and how it affected persons with disabilities, revealed how the disaster management system and the rights of persons with disabilities are managed under two different legal frameworks, which are yet to be synchronized at both national and local level. It is also noted that when the government doesn't present itself, non-government actors such as religious groups played an important role in supporting people with disability.

Lack of representation from vulnerable groups was also found in the case of Vanuatu, which was struck by Cyclone Pam in 2015. Tess Van Geelen in her presentation showed how there is no permanent position within government institution to consistently represent these groups. Such a condition led to the lack of protection provisions in government policies and effective approach in responding to disasters. International assistance has supported the development of many exemplary protection policies, however, the government staff is presently not equipped with the skill to implement the protection policies.

In terms of protection of affected people during disaster, researchers looked at the experience from the 2015 earthquake in Nepal, and flooding in Bangladesh and Cambodia. The study in Nepal by Dr. Bala Raju Nikku highlighted the limited access to basic necessities and services, as well as mental health issues that became very common among displaced persons. Currently, there is limited capacity in the government to address this issue, and therefore mental health issue is not included in the protection planning. In the future, the researcher argued that it is very important to psychosocial assistance as the first aid for people facing the issue of displacement, especially for vulnerable groups such as women, children, and persons with disabilities.

The displacement scenario was revealed to be different in Bangladesh. MD Abdul Awal Khan from the Law Department of Independent University, Bangladesh, said on his presentation that currently there is no systemic plan on displacement organized by the government, causing people to move haphazardly. There is an existing policy with statutory provisions regarding disaster management, but the lack of implementation mechanism and strategies made it inadequate to mitigate when disaster happens. The lack of coordination between concerned government agencies is particularly affecting persons with disabilities, because there is no existing plan to handle such situation.

Ratana Ly from Cambodia on her research examined how people who live with annual flooding experience displacement. People in area that flood has been living there for generations; they are tied to the land and are unwilling to move away to other areas, even though disaster may happen every year. From the Cambodia research, it was shown that disaster management-related policies need to address the local knowledge, so that policy can reflect local values.

The final two studies presented were on China and Myanmar examining durable solutions to the aforementioned issues. In China, Tang Yixia found on her research that the legal framework for disaster relief had encompassed various aspects from the prevention measures before disasters, emergency rescue measures at the time of disasters, coping strategies after disasters, as well as incorporating special provisions on the rights of women and minors. However, in implementation, human rights and gender perspective are still being left behind, which makes the protection of displaced persons’ rights not fully effective.

Myanmar, which has ratified various international human rights treaties, also has existing national laws and policies which promote protection of the human rights of displaced persons in the context of disaster. Prof. Dr. Khin Chit Chit of Yangon University revealed in her presentation that there is even a provision within the national law that require the government to prioritize children, women, and persons with disabilities. However, a more detailed regulation is needed to ensure that the government has a long-term plan to manage risks within these vulnerable groups. Harmonization between the disaster management laws with other related laws is also needed to ensure the substantial protection.

The feedback gathered during the consultation workshop, with valuable inputs from international organisations and experts in regards to internally displaced persons in the context of disaster, will be incorporated into these ongoing studies, will be incorporated into the finalization of the research projects.

For the research in Thailand and about the wider project, please visit our project page here, for updates.

*Report written by Anisa Widyasari, Communications Coordinator at CSDS

PRESENTATION: Sustainable Development, Human Rights and Impact Assessment in ASEAN

On 29th and 30th October 2017, the ASEAN Intergovernmental Commission on Human Rights (AICHR) organized a two day workshop in Yangon on a "Rights-Based Approach to Regional Management Strategy for an Effective Environmental Impact Assessment." 

Dr. Carl Middleton of CSDS was invited to offer a presentation titled "Sustainable Development, Human Rights and Impact Assessment in ASEAN", which can be downloaded here.

The key messages of the presentation were as follows:

• Sustainable development for ASEAN will mean choosing wisely (and steering towards) sustainable “pathways.” Impact Assessments are key tools that can inform and shape inclusive decision-making

• Impact Assessment is simultaneously a scientific, assessment and political process. A human right based approach ensures that all appropriate knowledge and opinions are considered

• In a region with strong economic growth and accelerating economic integration, environmental policy must keep up. A human right based approach will help environmental policy keep pace and innovate, for example on community health impact assessment

EVENT: The Political Economy of New Authoritarianism in Southeast Asia

Session organized at the 10th International Convention of Asian Scholars

11:30-13:15, 22nd July 2017, Chiang Mai International Exhibition and Convention Center

Session convened by the Center for Social Development Studies, Faculty of Political Science, Chulalongkorn University

Political authoritarianism is strengthening across Southeast Asia, mirroring a noted trend globally. This panel explored the politics, processes, and implications of the (re)assertion of authoritarianism, focusing on its political-economic regimes, but also including its ideologies and discourses. The panel engaged in a long-standing debate that globalisation and economic liberalism goes hand in hand with liberalisation and democratization in the political sphere. This association goes back to Lipset’s Modernisation Theory. Refuted by many and of fading interest by the 1970s, it came back into fashion in the 1990s with the spread of neoliberal capitalism and the so-called “third wave” of democratization.

The recent rise of authoritarian regimes in Southeast Asia and globally seems to be a sustained trend that may be connected to economic projects associated with a specific stage of capitalist development (crisis driven late capitalism), and that also mirror the interests of the elite in power. This can be analysed through what Poulantzas, in the 1970s, called authoritarian statism, whereby a growing role of the state seeks to ensure economic growth under conditions of capitalist crisis tendencies.

In this panel, we situated the new authoritarianism of contemporary Southeast Asia within a post-Washington and post-aid era of globalization. The region’s new authoritarianism builds upon legacies of past authoritarianism, in particular the various guises of developmental states - both capitalist and socialist - since the 1950s. Even if authoritarian statism receded in the 1990s and 2000s, it never fully ended. Now, the region is increasingly under the political and economic sway of China, but also subject to intensified attention of the United States. Some countries have visibly becoming more authoritarian in recent years, including by military coup (Thailand) or strong-handed leaders (the Philippines; Cambodia), whilst others apparently less so, in particular Myanmar.  Vietnam and Laos, meanwhile, have stated themselves as socialist-orientated market economies. Trends towards regional economic integration, market expansion and intensification, meanwhile, add a regional-scaled dynamic to political authoritarianism.

The panel sought to address the following conceptual and empirical questions:

• How can we conceptualize the connection between the trend of authoritarianism and the current state of capitalist development in Southeast Asia?

• What are the characteristics of the authoritarian states in Southeast Asia? What economic models of development are being proposed by these states?

• What are the implications for civil society, social movements, democracy and human rights?

The following papers were presented :

• The One Belt One Road (OBOR) initiative and its influence on the political situation of China's neighbouring countries, by Dr. Wolfram Schaffar, University of Vienna

• Thailand 4.0: the Rise of Neo-authoritarian Developmental State, by Dr. Naruemon Thabchumpon, Chulalongkorn University

• 'Ephemeral transnational' and 'authoritarian domestic' public spheres in Laos hydropower dams, Dr. Carl Middleton, Chulalongkorn University

• Authoritarian development, frontier capitalism and indigenous counter-movements in Myanmar Rainer Einzenberger, University of Vienna

The panel was chaired by Dr. Chantana Banpasirichote Wungaeo of Chulalongkorn University.

The papers presented on the panel are part of a forthcoming Special Issue to be published in the Austrian Journal of Southeast Asia Studies in mid-2018.

EVENT: "Thailand’s Overseas Investment in Southeast Asia and Transnational (In)Justice"

Session organized at the 13th International Conference on Thai Studies
"Globalized Thailand?" Connectivity, Conflict, and Conundrums of Thai Studies 

15:15-16:45, 16th July 2017, Chiang Mai International Exhibition and Convention Center

Session convened by the Center for Social Development Studies, Faculty of Political Science, Chulalongkorn University

Our panel critically discussed Thailand’s investment role in the region through the lens of transnational social and environmental justice. Through empirical case studies on agribusiness, hydropower and special economic zones, we explored the political economy of these investments in order to understand the production of injustice and human rights violations.  The panel addressed the following questions: what are the roles, opportunities and challenges for public interest law, national/ regional human rights institutions, other transnational soft law mechanisms, and civil society to protect and promote human rights on Thailand’s investments?

The paper presentations can be downloaded below.

• Paper 1: Accountability Beyond the State: Extra territorial obligations in the case of the Koh Kong Sugar Industry Concession, Cambodia by Michelle D’cruz

• Paper 2: Redressing transboundary environmental injustice at the Dawei Special Economic Zone and Roadlink Project by Naruemon Thabchumpon

• Paper 3: Arenas of Water Justice on Transboundary Rivers: Human Rights and Hydropower Dams on the Salween and Mekong Rivers by Carl Middleton

We would like to thank the panel discussant, Walden Bellow, and chair, Daniel King, for their insightful contributions to the panel.

Chair: Daniel King