1. Introduction
Thailand is situated in the Southeast Asian mainland and covering an area of 513,115 sg.km, the latitude 6 - 21 North and longtitude 98 - 105 East. Thailand has maximum dimensionof about 2,500 km. North to south and 1,250 km, east to west, with a coastline of approximately 1,840 km. on the Gulf of Thailand and 861 km. along the Indian Ocean. Thailand isgoverned by a constitutional monarchy. The country is administratively divided into 76 provinces and subdivided into districts, sub-districts (or tambons) and villages. Bangkok is thecapital. Province is the local administration, the provincial governor is appointed by the central government, excluding Bangkok, the governor is elected. The population is over 60
million, most of them live in the urban areas, Bangkok is the largest city in the country.
In the topography, Thailand is geographically divided into four natural regions: the North, the Central or the Chao Phraya River Basin, the Northeast or the Korat Plateau and the Southor the Southern Peninsula. The northern region is mountainous area prone to flood earthquake, landslides, the northeast region is arid area on the Korat Plateau, frequently faces
sudden flood during rainy season, severe draught and cold during hot and cold season. The Central regions, the fertile area, but often inundated during rainy season. The Southern
region is hilly to mountainous and several offshore islands. The severe disasters in this regions are occasional floods, tropical storms, landslides and forest fires. The climate, Thailand
is a warm and rather humid tropical country. The monsoon or rainy season starts from about May to September and a relatively dry season for the remainder of the year. Temperatures
are highest in March and April and lowest in December and January.

2. Current Disaster Information
In general, disaster is divided into 2 categories: natural disaster and man-made disaster. Whenever disaster occurred, it will loss people's lives and properties. According to geography
and topography, Thailand is not considered as disaster prone country. There are not hazardous natural disaster as volcanic eruption, tzunami, earthquake. However, The natural
disaster, floods, droughts, storm, landslide and forest fires, frequently occurs in the country which caused the national catastrophies. In 2000 A.D. inundated in Hard Yai District,
Songkla Province, the year after 2001 A.D. flood and landslide in Prae and Petchaboon Province, resulted in large number of fatalities loss properties, and economy. Due to economic
and social development, Thailand develop itself to industrial country, the society and environment was changed. The officer buildings, factories, roads and etc were constructed in thecity and suburb, especially in Bangkok and large city such as Chiengmai, Chiengrai,Chonburi. Percentage of people in the rural area move to work in the city is higher. The risk of manmade disasters, the industrial accident, chemical explosion, fired, road accident are increased.

Statistical data of disasters and damages in Thailand during 2000 - 2002
Year
2000

Types of Disaster

Frequency

Property Damage(Million Baht)

Injures

DeathsFlood
Storm
Drought
Earthquake
Fire
Road Accident
Chemical Hazards

62 provinces960
53 provinces
1,814
73,737
6

10,032.94
271.481,044.14
722.591,242.20
na

81
91
53,11157

120
9
46
11,493
2

2001

Flood
Storm
Drought
Earthquake
Fire
Road Accident
Chemical Hazards

60 provinces
1,061
51 provinces
4
1,498
77,61620

3,666.28
501.01
71,962.97
1,529.28
1,240.80
na

53,960160

244
611,652
32

2002

Flood
Storm
Drought
Earthquake
Fire
Road Accident
Chemical Hazards

72 provinces594
68 provinces
12
1,135
88,39024

13,385.31
213.37330.77805.81
15,605
40.50

11
150
62,054-216
18
24
13,398-

3. Disaster Management System in Thailand
According to the Civil Defence Act, 1979 AD disasters are classified into 3 categories namely:
1. Disasters resulting from nature and human being or, in other words, natural disaster and man-made disasters.
2. Disaster from air raid during wartime
3. Disaster from sabotage or terrorist attack

3.1

Management System

Basic Disaster Management System in Thailand is the Civil Defence Act of 1979, and the Civil Defence Plan 2002. The Nation Civil Defence Committee is the main policy making body,
before October 2002, the Civil Defence Division, under the Department of Local Administration; Ministry of Interior is in charge of committee secretariat. After 2 October 2002, Thaigovernment declared the Bureaucratic Reform Act 2000, Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation, Ministry of Interior was established to takes responsibility on disaster in the
country and to be the secretariat of the Nation Civil Defence Committee.
At present, the Civil Defence Secretariat still relies mainly on manual methodology in collecting information and data for disaster prevention and preparedness activities. The means ofcommunication between Civil Defence Secretariat and other national, provincial and local agencies are by trunk radio network, telephone and fax. Each morning the officials of Civil
Defence Secretariat who are on night-duty will collect information and data from the Department of Meteorology and the daily reports from each provincial governor of 75 provinces.
However, the Civil Defence Secretariat is now embarking on the Computerized. Weather Monitoring Project, which is yet to be approved by the Cabinet. According to this project, theinformation network of Civil Defence Secretariat will be connected to information network of the National Census Bureau of DOLA, the information network of Communications Division,
Office of the Permanent Secretary of Interior and the website of private sector. Each Regional Disaster Prevention and Mitigation Command Center (at present, there are 12 regional
Disaster Prevention and Mitigation Command Centers which are based at 12 provinces of the northern, north-eastern, southern and central regions of Thailand such as Pathumthani,
Suphaanburi, Prajeenbuti, Praachuabkirikan, Nakhon Ratchasima, Khonkaen, Ubon Ratchathani, Kampangphet, Pitsanulok, Lampang, Suratthani and songkhla) will be allotted with theannual budget to purchase internet hours from private website.

Legal Structure of Disaster Management according to The Civil Defence Act 1979

The above Organizational Structure of Civil Defence, Civil Defence system in Thailand comprises 3 levels as follows:

National level
At this level, it is the responsibility of the national Civil Defence Committee to coordinate all activities relevant to civil defence and disaster management. The committee ischaired by the Minister of Interior and the membership comprises representatives from all of national government agencies concerning with disaster management activities
such as the Permanent Secretary to Ministry of Defence, Permanent Secretary to Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives, Permanent Secretary to Ministry of Public Health,Permanent Secretary to Ministry of Transportation and Communication, Director of Budget Bureau, Secretary to the National Security Council, Governor of Bangkok
Metropolitan Administration, Chief of Royal Thai Police, Director-General of Social Development and Welfare, Director-General of Department of Meteorology and otherdesignated individuals, as members of the committee. The Director-General of Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation is designated as member and secretary to
the committee. As a consequence, the Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation is designated as Secretariat of National Civil Defence. The National Civil Defence
Committee performs all functions relevant to management of disaster at national level, such as formulation of Civil Defence Master Plan, evaluation of the implementation of
the above-mentioned plan by an audit mission, organizing annual or periodical training courses on civil defence and disaster management for government officials at alllevels, issuing regulations on the payment of remuneration, compensation and other expenditures relevant to civil defence and disaster management activities carried out by
all agencies concerned.

Regional level
At regional level, 12 Regional Disaster Prevention and Mitigation Centers are established to render technical assistance and auxiliary services to local Civil Defence
Committees. Each Regional Disaster Prevention and Mitigation Center is Head of a Director who is the immediate subordinate to Director - General of Department of Disaster
Prevention and Mitigation which means that he has to report directly to the Director - General. Although designated to carry out their tasks in the regions but the Director of
Regional Disaster Prevention and Mitigation Center as well as of his officials and employees are not subject to authority of provincial governors of the areas, because they aregovernment officials belonging to national administration.

Local level
The main actors who really cope with disasters are local Civil Defence committee at provincial, district and local levels.
At provincial level
The Provincial Civil Defence Committee is chaired by the governor of the province. Membership of the committee comprised representatives from various
government agencies concerned. Most of all of the representatives of each provincial government agencies are chief of the agency concerned with disastermanagement activities of the province. The Vice-Governors and Deputy-Governor are vice-chairman whereas the Provincial Civil Defence Officer, an official
belonging to Department of Local Administration, Ministry of Interior, is designated as Secretary to the Provincial Civil Defence Committee.
At District level
The District Chief Officer, in his capacity as chief administrator of the district chairs the District Civil Defence Committee. Membership of the committee comprises
Heads of government agencies in the district whereas an assistant district Chief Officer (usually the one in charge of special affairs) is designated as secretary to
the committee.
At local level
The Local Civil Defence Committee is the mechanism of local governments in urban areas to cope with disasters. There are several forms of local governments in
Thailand both in urban and rural areas. But the local governments which are delegated by the national government to be in charge of disaster management or local

government in urban areas. While disaster management in the vicinity of rural local governments is carried out by the District Civil Defence Committee of the areas
instead.
The urban local governments comprises the following:
1. Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA)
2. Municipalities, which are categorized according to revenue, collected, the size of their population and the availability of infrastructure.
3. The City of Pattaya.
These local governments have their own disaster management mechanism. All of the above-mentioned Local Civil Defence Committee is subject to the authority of
the Provincial governor.
In Bangkok
The Governor of BMA is chairman of Bangkok Civil Defence Committee while its membership comprises Directors of bureaus and division of BMA.
The Clerk of BMA (chief executive of BMA) is the Secretary to Bangkok Civil Defence Committee.
In Municipal areas
Each municipality is responsible for civil defence and disaster management. The disaster response mechanism is the Municipal Civil Defence
Committee, which is chaired by the Mayor. The membership of this committee comprises Directors of Bureaus and Division of the municipal office.
The Town Clerk (regular official of municipality) is designated as Secretary to Municipal Civil Defence Committee.
These mechanisms are directly responsible for carrying out disaster relief activities during time of emergency and taking precautionary measures or mitigation
measures before the occurrence of disasters.
The Civil Defence Committee of all levels as mentioned above are responsible for civil defence and disaster management during peace time while in wartime or in
the state of emergency as a result of terrorist attack or sabotage, the military command will be in charge as line agency responsible for directing all activities
concerned with anti-terrorist attack.
The organization of mechanism to cope with disasters or hazards during the situation designated as 壮tate of emergency・is different from the mechanism during
peacetime.
In wartime situation, the Civil Defence Secretariat (CDS) plays supportive role while the military takes on leading role as commander of the special task force
chaired by the Prime Minister himself. The principal actors in wartime situation are such as the National Security Council and the Ministry of Defence.
In state of emergency or wartime, the Civil Defence Secretariat (CDS) plays supportive role while the military takes on leading role as commander of the special
task force chaired by the Prime Minister himself. The principal actors in wartime situation are such as the National Security Council and the Ministry of Defence.
The Civil Defence Secretariat is the main actor in peacetime only. Therefore, it is directly responsible for all types of disasters both natural and man-made.

3.2

Organization

In Thailand, according to the Civil Defence Act, 1979 disaster management covers both natural and man-made disasters. The organization structure and responsibilities are
systematically developed as follows:

The natural disaster damage life and properties of people moreover the man-made disaster will be hazard to the country especially road, traffic accidents, chemical explosion,industries accident etc. Therefore, in 1982 the National Safety Council of Thailand (NSCT) was appointed and the Office of NSCT, Prime Minister's Office was secretarial office until
Bureaucratic Reform Act in October 2003, it was transferred into Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation.

Functions of The Nation Safety Council of Thailand (NSCT)The NSCT is entrusted with the following powers and duties:
1. To propose the policy and major plan to National Safety for the Cabinet approval
2. To propose the guidelines for implementation and coordination of the approved policy and major plan by the Government Agencies concerned
3. To submit recommendations and advice on the operation of the Government Agencies and any other problems related to National Safety to the Prime Minister or the
Cabinet4. To propose the opinion and remarks to the Prime Minister or the Cabinet on the requirement of new legislation or the revision of the existing law and regulations inrelation to the National Safety
5. To coordinate and seek for assistance from abroad
6. To support and promote public trainings, meetings or seminars on National Safety
7. To make public relations on National Safety and other related matters
8. To follow-up and evaluate the implementation according to the policy and major plan
9. To perform any other functions related to National Safety or Public Safety as
assigned by the Prime Minister or the Cabinet
The National Safety Council of Thailand (NSCT)The National Safety Council of Thailand (NSCT) was established by Prime Minister Office's Regulations on National Safety B.E 2546 (2003). The members are as follows:
1. Prime Minister or Deputy Prime Minister
2. Minister of Interior
3. Permanent Secretary to the Prime Minister's Office
4. Permanent Secretary to the Ministry of Defence
5. Permanent Secretary to the Ministry of Transportation
6. Permanent Secretary to the Ministry of Information and Communication Technology
7. Permanent Secretary to the Ministry of Interior
8. Permanent Secretary to the Ministry of Labor
9. Permanent Secretary to the Ministry of Education
10. Permanent Secretary to the Ministry of Public Health11. Director of Bureau of the Budget
12. Secretary General to the Office of the Juridical Council
13. Secretary General to the Office of the National Economic and Social Development Board
14. Secretary General to the National Research Council of Thailand
15. Commissioner General to Royal Thai Police
16. Director General to the Marine Department
17. Director General to the Department of Land Transport
18. Director General to the Department of Civil Aviation
19. Director General to the Department of Provincial Administration
20. Director General to the Pollution Control Department
21. Director General to the Public Relations Department
22. Director General to the Department of Highways
23. Director General to the Department of Rural Roads
24. Director General to the Department of Public Works and Town and Country Planing
25. Director General to the Department of Industrial Works
26. Director General to the Department of Local Administration
27. Director General to the Department of Labor Protection and Welfare
28. Director General to the Meteorological Department
29. Bangkok Governor
30. The President of the Volunteer for Public Relief
31. The President of the Rajprachanukraw Foundation (under Royal Patronage)
32. No more than four proficient persons appointed by the Cabinet as committee members
33. Director General to the Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation as the committee member and secretary
34. Two government Officials of Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation as the committee member and assistant secretaries

3.3 Authority and Duty of Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation under Ministerial Statute 2002

Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation is obliged to draft Master Plan, set up measures, promote and support disaster prevention, mitigation and rehabilitation. Disaster
Prevention and Mitigation activities as mentioned are carried out through establishment of safety policy, prevention and warning system, rehabilitation of disaster devastated area, andthe follow-up and evaluation, so as to secure the safety of life and property of the people. Authorities and duties of the Department are as follows;
1. Formulate policy, guideline and set up criteria for disaster management.
2. Study, analyze, research and develop the prevention, warning systems and disaster mitigation.
3. Develop information technology system for disaster prevention, warning and mitigation.
4. Mobilize people's participation in establishing disaster prevention and mitigation.
5. Create people's awareness and preparedness in disaster prevention and mitigation.
6. Among the training and exercise in disaster prevention and mitigation, rehabilitation devastated area and in assisting the victims as stated by law.
7. Promote, support and carry out disaster prevention and mitigation activities, provide assistance to the victims and rehabilitate devastated areas.
8. Direct and coordinate the operation of assisting the victim and rehabilitate devastated.
9. Coordinate the assistance with the organizations both internal and international in disaster prevention relief mitigation and rehabilitation.
10. Perform any other functions as assigned by the Ministry of Interior or the cabinet
VISION : Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation, Ministry of Interior, is the principal government agency to carry out the task and responsibility on disaster prevention andmitigation so as to remain in Thailand as the inhabitable and safe country.
STRATEGIES:
1. Development of disaster and civil emergency prevention and mitigation system which bases (leans) on community participation.
2. Establishment of systematic disaster management and the link-upas the network from national to local level. The use and development of state-of-the-art andappropriate technology will be encouraged.
3. Creation of awareness and understanding on disaster prevention, self-reliable and assisting the others among the people.
4. Development of information technology and knowledge on disasters Thailand encounters.
TARGET: The people will be systematically, rapidly, thoroughly and equitably benefited from the Department's of disaster prevention, rehabilitation and other calamity activities.
MISSION:
1. Establishment of disaster and civil emergency prevention and warning systems and creation of preparedness system in every village of the country.
2. Directing and implementing disaster and civil emergency mitigation activity systematically, rapidly, equitably and thoroughly whenever occurs.
3. Procurement of materials equipment, vehicles, and machines indispensable for disaster prevention, mitigation, suppression and for victim assistance.
4. Rehabilitation of damaged public utilities, physical and mental reinvestigation of the victim, restoration livelihood indispensable and occupations. All theses activities
and carried out on thorough, equitable and rapid basis, and be in accordance to the needs of the victims.
5. Integration of disaster prevention and mitigation system, the plans, the implementation and follow-up and evaluation with other internal and internationalorganizations.

3.4

Disaster Management Plans

So as to be assured that the people will be systematically, immediately, impartially and timely benefited, DDPM has launched various activities in the context of disaster prevention andpreparedness. These activities can be delineated as follows;

Introduction of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) System for Disaster Management.: This system has been adopted and developed to enhance ourdisaster management capacity and efficiency in terms of disseminating and receiving disaster related information to and from the public, exchanging and sharing
1.

information with our regional operation centers and our provincial offices, and with other government and private agencies concerned.
In this context, DDPM has highlighted the development and adoption of ICT system which includes network system, database system and telecommunication system
which can be delineated as follows;
1.1

Network system
Intranet and Internet systems have been installed to link our regional and provincial offices with the headquarters, and to link with other government and private
agencies concerned throughout Ministry of Interior Net.
Establishment of Website (www.disaster.go.th) to disseminate and report disaster related information, to early warn the public of prospected disasteroccurrences.
Establishment and utilization of call taker system (1784 emergency line) to facilitate the process of prevention, response and mitigation activities.

1.2

Database System
Owing to this system, we have categorized the database into 9 categories; flood database, storm database, cold spell database, drought database, forest fire
database, land fire database, road accident database, work-place database, and chemical and hazardous material database. Categorization as such, aims at
developing and adjusting databases of other government agencies concerned to be in accordance with database sever of our Department. As the consequence,
our Web-Base Allocation System will enable us to link our Department database with other government agencies concerned. This accessibility to disaster related
information will be fruitful to our Department in terms of formulating our implementation plan, the report of project implementation results and project
evaluation.

This current fiscal year, our Department had adopted Geographic Information System (GIS) to develop our disaster related information technology system. This
adoption will enable us to avail more accurate information of risk areas throughout the country. As the consequence, disaster prevention, mitigation andrehabilitation activities can be launched more effectively and timely. Since the last fiscal year, the following three disaster related information databases havebeen formulated.
1. Chemical risk area database.
2. Network of agencies concerned and experts database.
3. Flood and mud slide database.
Besides, the GIS applied programs of flood prone areas has been set up which enhance our capability in
Comparative analyzing inundation situation in each Tambon, District and Province in term of its frequency.
Searching inundation information such as the water level in specific areas etc.
Identifying the flood prone areas.
Identifying inundation coverage areas and evaluating inundation situations.
Illustrating precipitation situation and the development of inundation in specific areas.
Assessing the flood related damages.
Analyzing the flood prevention activities in the flood prone areas.
1.3

Telecommunication System
1.3.1
1.3.2

Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation has introduced telecommunication system to support the implementation of disaster prevention,
mitigation and rehabilitation activities. In this regard, more telephone lines will be installed in our provincial offices and regional centers.
Twelve million Baht of annual budget has been allotted to procure telecommunication radio equipment and to establish radio network center in our
Department. This center will act as coordinating mechanism between public and private or amateur radio network.

Installation of Simple Raingage and Hand-Spin Warning Siren Project. This project will provide the necessary equipment for observing and notification of local flood
conditions, forecasts and warning. So as to be well prepared in flood and mudslide disaster preventing and warning, DDPM has mobilized 2003. A.D. fiscal year budget
to erect 2,000 raingages in flood risk areas throughout the country. Besides, more budget of 2004 A.D. fiscal year will be mobilized and allocated to procure more
2.

raingages and hand-spin siren for warning for erecting in the flood and mudslide vulnerable areas. The cost of raingage is considerably low and very simple to use. The
villagers can be instructed to measure, record and read the daily amount of rainfall. Whenever the amount of rainfall exceeds the set normal level, the villager who is incharge of observing will signal out the warning by using the manual siren device or notify the village headman to disseminate the warning through the village news
broadcasting tower.

3.5

Disaster Management Training

In order to strengthen disaster preparedness and prevention capacity of people at local level and encourage local level participation as well as to generate the public awareness, DDPM
has implemented the following disaster management activities;
1. DDPM staff training: CBDM training course was organized for DDPM staff between 30 April ・4 June 2003, at DDPM Training Institute. About 40 of DDPM staff fromour 12 regional operation centers and from headquarters were screened to be sure that those who passed could be trained to be the trainers. After being trained
these trainers were well equipped with knowledge better understanding and skill in natural disaster management with the emphasis on risk management andcasualty mitigation. These trainers were expected to perform echo training so as to transfer their knowledge to their colleagues and the community.
2. Workshop on Establishment of Community Base Disaster Prevention and Mitigation Human Network. : This workshop attempts toi. Equip the participants with knowledge and understanding of steps and methods of operation of disaster management. And upon their return to theircommunities, these returnees can become the trainers to carry out the echo training in their own communities.
ii. Create the awareness among the public to uplift the safety standard of the community.
iii. Generate the shepherd and community human network to carry out the basic disaster management.
iv. Enhance the capacity and strengthen the community cooperation with government agency and other private organization networks.
The pilot project of this workshop was carried out in 2 provinces. The first batch was carried out during 17 - 18 August 2003, in Lampang, the northern province. The second batch wasorganized during 19 - 20 August 2003 in Nakhon Sawan, the lower northern province. The participants were recruited from the core leaders of the village or community such as Village
Headman, Sub-District Chief, school teacher, the monk, Civil Defense Volunteer, Public Health Volunteer etc.
This pilot project will be follow-up very closely with expectation to extend the project to cover at least 225 villages or 5 villages in every 75 provinces of the country.

3.6

Details of a Person in Charge of the ADRC's Activities

Mrs. Chutamart Prateepavanich
Deputy Director-General
Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation
Ministry of Interior
3/12 U- Thong Nok Road, Dusit , Bangkok 10300 Thailand
Office phone number (66-2) 2432231
Office fax number(66-2) 2432211

4. List of Disaster Related Website in Thailand
Names of Website

Names of Organizationwww.disaster.go.th

Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation (DPM)

www.moi.go.th

Ministry of Interior

www.adpc.net

Asian Disaster Preparedness Center

www.mot.go.th

The Ministry of Transportwww.thaigov.go.th

Royal Thai Government

www.tmd.go.th

The Meteorological Department

www.rid.go.th

Royal Irrigation Department

www.pcd.go.th

Pollution Control Department (PCD)

www.doa.go.th

Department of Agriculturewww.diw.go.th

Department of Industrial Works

www.police.go.th

Royal Thai Police

www.forest.go.th

Forest Fire Control Divisionwww.fire.police.go.th

Police Fire Brigade

www.highway.police.go.th

Highway Police

www.bpp.police.go.th

Border Patrol Police Bureau

www.ilo.org/public/english/region/asro/bangkok/
asiaosh/country/thailand/fda/j.htm#safe

The Bureau of the National Safety Council of Thailand

www.js100.com

Pacific News Center

www.trauma.or.th

Narenthorn Center

www.bma.go.th

Bangkok Metropolitan Administration

www.trafficbakk.com

Police Radio Casting FM 91.0

www.ruamkatanyu.or.th

Ruamkatanyu foundationwww.yothin8.cjb.net

Volunteer of Ruamkatanyu foundationwww.khonkaen.com/default.asp

Rescue Khonkaenwww.ems.fire2rescue.com

Emerge Emergency Medical Services

pdrv.fire2rescue.com/index.html

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