ASIAN DISASTER REDUCTION CENTER
Visiting Researcher Program(FY2022)

Thailand Country Report 2022

ADRC Visiting Researcher
SOPHITA THANYALAKMETHA
Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation (DDPM)
Ministry of Interior, Thailand

Disclaimer
This report was compiled by an ADRC visiting researcher (VR) from ADRC member
countries. The views expressed in the report do not necessarily reflect the views of the ADRC.
The boundaries and names shown and the designations used on the maps in the report also
do not imply official endorsement or acceptance by the ADRC.

Thailand country report 2022 | VR ADRC1Contents1.

General Information ........................................................................................... 3
1.1 Geographical Data........................................................................................... 3
1.2 Climate Information ......................................................................................... 3
1.3

Demographic Data ...................................................................................... 4

1.4 Administrative Divisions ................................................................................... 4
2. Disaster in Thailand .............................................................................................. 6
Disaster Statistical Data ........................................................................................ 6(1) Storms ............................................................................................................. 6(2) Flood ................................................................................................................ 7(3) Drought ............................................................................................................ 7(4) Fires ................................................................................................................. 8(5) Forest Fires and Haze ...................................................................................... 8(6) Contagious Disease ......................................................................................... 9
3. Recent Major Disasters ....................................................................................... 10
4. Recent Projects on Disaster Risk Reduction ....................................................... 11
National Disaster Risk Management Plan 2021 - 2027 ........................................ 11
5. Counterpart of ADRC .......................................................................................... 13
6. References ......................................................................................................... 14Thailand country report 2022 | VR ADRC2

1. General Information
1.1 Geographical Data
Thailand, officially the Kingdom of Thailand
where lies in the heart of Southeast Asia, has a land area of513,120 sq.km. It is bordered by Myanmar (West & North),
Laos (North & East), Cambodia (Southeast), and Malaysia(South). The Thai coastline stretches for 3,219 km along boththe Gulf of Thailand on the Pacific side, and the Andaman Sea
on the Indian Ocean side. The highest point in Thailand is
Doi Inthanon, at 2,565 meters (8,415 feet). The lowest pointis the Gulf of Thailand, at sea level. Thailand is divided into
four regions; the North, the Central or the Chao Phraya River
Basin, the Northeast or the Korat Plateau and the south or
the Southern Peninsula. The northern region terrain is
mountainous which render this region to be prone to waterrelated disasters such as flashflood, landslide and debris
flow. The northeastern region is an arid area on Korat
Plateau and frequently suffers flashflood and inundation during rainy season, severe drought
and cold spell during summer and cool season. The central region, the vast fertile land whichis dubbed as the "Rice Bowl" of the country often encounters the repeated riverine flood andurban inundation during the rainy season. The southern region terrain is hilly on the west
coast and the coastal plain on the east. This part of Thailand has occasionally frequented
flashflood, mudslide, tropical storm and forest fire.

1.2 Climate Information
Thailand's climate is influenced by monsoon winds that have a seasonal character(the southwest and northeast monsoon). The majority of the south as well as the eastern tipof the east have a tropical monsoon climate. Parts of the south also have a tropical rainforest
climate.
A year in Thailand is divided into three seasons. The first is the rainy occurs frommid–May to mid–October, which is caused by southwestern wind from the Indian Ocean.
Second is winter occurs from mid–October until mid–February. Most of Thailand experiences
dry weather with mild temperatures. The last is summer runs from mid–February until
mid–May. Due to their inland position and latitude, the north, northeast, central and easternparts of Thailand experience a long period of warm weather, where temperatures can reachup to 40 °C (104 °F) during March to May, in contrast to close to or below 0 °C (32 °F) insome areas in winter. Southern Thailand is characterised by mild weather year-round withThailand country report 2022 | VR ADRC

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less diurnal and seasonal variations in temperatures due to maritime influences. It receives
abundant rainfall, particularly during October to November.
Thailand is among the world's ten countries that are most exposed to climatechange. In particular, it is highly vulnerable to rising sea levels and extreme weather events.

1.3 Demographic Data
Population Total 66,090,475 (in 2022), about 32.2 million males and 33.8 females.
(Department of Provincial Administration, 2023)
The growth rate -0.14 (in 2022), Birthrate 7.6 births/1,000 population, Death rate 9
deaths/1,000 population, Life expectancy 77.66
years (male 74.65 years and female 80.83
years), Fertility rate 1.09 children. Thailand
become an aged society by 2025. The Fiscal
Policy Office projects that the number of Thais
aged 60-plus will increase from 14% in 2016 to17.5% in 2020, 21.2% in 2025, and 25.2% in 2030
(Bangkok Post 2016).

The national language is Thai. Lao is spoken along the borders with the LaoPDR, Karen languages are spoken along the border with Myanmar, Khmer is spoken
near Cambodia and Malay is spoken in the south near Malaysia. Sixty-two 'domestic'languages are officially recognized, and international languages spoken in Thailand, primarilyby international workers, expatriates and business people, include Burmese, Karen, English,
Chinese, Japanese, and Vietnamese, among others.
The official of religion is Buddhism 93.5%, 5.4% Islam, 1.13% Christianity, 0.02%
Hinduism and 0.003% No religion

1.4 Administrative Divisions
A hereditary monarch serves as Thailand's head of state. The current King ofThailand is Vajiralongkorn (or Rama X), who has reigned since October 2016.
Thailand's current Prime Minister is Gen. PRAYUT Chan-ocha, was appointed
prime minister in August 2014.
The country comprises 76 provinces (changwat, singular and plural) and Bangkok(special administrative area); Amnat Charoen, Ang Thong, Bueng Kan, Buriram,

Chachoengsao, Chai Nat, Chaiyaphum, Chanthaburi, Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai, Chon Buri,
Chumphon, Kalasin, Kamphaeng Phet, Kanchanaburi, Khon Kaen, Krabi, Lampang,Lamphun, Loei, Lop Buri, Mae Hong Son, Maha Sarakham, Mukdahan, Nakhon Nayok,Nakhon Pathom, Nakhon Phanom, Nakhon Ratchasima, Nakhon Sawan, Nakhon Si
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Thammarat, Nan, Narathiwat, Nong Bua Lamphu, Nong Khai, Nonthaburi, Pathum Thani,Pattani, Phangnga, Phatthalung, Phayao, Phetchabun, Phetchaburi, Phichit, Phitsanulok,Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya, Phrae, Phuket, Prachin Buri, Prachuap Khiri Khan, Ranong,Ratchaburi, Rayong, Roi Et, Sa Kaeo, Sakon Nakhon, Samut Prakan, Samut Sakhon, SamutSongkhram, Sara Buri, Satun, Sing Buri, Sisaket, Songkhla, Sukhothai, Suphan Buri, SuratThani, Surin, Tak, Trang, Trat, Ubon Ratchathani, Udon Thani, Uthai Thani, Uttaradit, Yala,Yasothon.
The provinces are divided into 878 districts (amphoe), 7,255 rural administrative
subdistricts (tambon), 75,086 villages (mooban).
Types of government administrations are the central, provincial and local.

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2. Disaster in Thailand
Due to its geographical location, Thailand has been highly exposed and vulnerable tonatural disaster caused by hydrometeorological hazards such as floods, landslides, storms,droughts, etc. The major disaster that had occurred and claimed hundreds of lives as well as
causing significant material loss in Thailand during the ten years period are delineated asfollow.

Disaster Statistical Data
(1) Storms
Impacts of Storms

Chart 1 : Storms Statistics during 2011 – 2020

Thailand country report 2022 | VR ADRC6(2) Flood
Impacts of Flooding

Chart 2 : Flooding Statistics during 2011 – 2020

(3) Drought
Impacts of Drought

Chart 3 : Drought Damages Statistics during 2011 - 2020

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(4) Fires
Impacts of Fire

Chart 4 : Fire Statistics during 2011 - 2020

(5) Forest Fires and Haze
Impacts of Bushfire

Chart 5 : Bushfire Statistics during 2013 - 2020

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(6) Contagious Disease

Source : World Health Organization (2023).
Available from : https://covid19.who.int/region/searo/country/th (2023, February 1)
Chart 6 : COVID-19 statistics situation in Thailand

Thailand country report 2022 | VR ADRC

93. Recent Major Disasters
Typhoon Noru (September 2022)
Typhoon Noru was an intense tropical cyclone that affected Vietnam, Thailand andPhilippines. The heavy rain caused severe flooding and landslides across parts of Thailand.
Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation (DDPM) reported that 37 districts in 18
provinces in North Northeast and Central region have been hit by flooding between 22 – 26
September 2022. Around 4.000 people were evacuated, 4.348 households were affected and3 people were deaths.
The heavy rain has continued since then, causing further flooding and rivers to rise.
The authorities issued warnings for communities close to the Chao Phraya river and Pa Sak
river on 2nd October. Until 5th October the rivers were above critical level in 38 locations,mostly in Northern and central provinces. DDPM reported floods and flash floods occurred in
25 provinces with approximately 156,240 households affected 4 deaths and 2 injuries.

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4. Recent Projects on Disaster Risk Reduction
National Disaster Risk Management Plan 2021 - 2027
As the Disaster Prevention and Mitigation Act B.E. 2550 [A.D. 2007] Section 44“In case of any changes of disaster prevention and mitigation facts as specified in disasterprevention and mitigation plans under this act, or if those plans have been used for five years.
Those responsible persons who oversee the formulating of plan shall have to revise or review
that plan rapidly.”. The National Disaster Risk Management Plan 2015 has been usedcomplete it’s period, so the National Disaster Prevention and Mitigation Committee work onto revise the new plan. The plan has been completely revised and the cabinet has approved
the National Disaster Risk Management Plan 2021 – 2027 on 5 July 2022.
National Disaster Risk Management Plan 2021 – 2027 has the purpose to bea concept of operation in handing national disaster management actions for all relevant
agencies. The Plan consolidated the National Strategy, the National Economic and Social
Development Plan, Disaster Risk Management Framework as SMART DRM for 3s : SEP –SDGs – SFDRR which is Sufficiency Economy Philosophy, Sustainable Development Goals
and Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction 2015 – 2030 that for achieve the vision
wh i c h i s “Thai society has the potential to reduce the existing disaster risk and prevent thenew disaster risk efficiently to achieve sustainable safety, stability, and state of disaster
resilience of nation.”. The plan consists of two parts; effective disaster risk reduction andstandardized disaster management with an important goal to drive the management ofcountry meet the standard and ready for emergency situations.

National Disaster Risk Management Plan

National Disaster Risk Management Plan

2015

2021 – 2027

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The Plan will serve as a tool for reducing the impact of disaster, realizing disaster riskmanagement standards in every community as well as for further integrating disaster risk
reduction thinking and methods into the national sustainable development process.
In addition, the Plan is a master plan for provinces and districts to develop the Provincial/District Disaster Risk Management Plans, as well as Provincial/District Multi-Hazard Specific
Action Plans on Disaster Risk Management for the purpose of directing, coordinating, andproviding support for disaster management efforts of the local administrative organization.

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125. Counterpart of ADRC
Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation, Ministry of Interior
Address: 3/12 U-Thong Nok Road, Dusit, Bangkok 10300 THAILAND.
Tel: +66 2243 5279
Fax: +66 2243 5279
E-mail: foreign.dpm.th@gmail.com
Website: www.disaster.go.th.

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6. References
DDPM. (2011). The Disaster Prevention and Mitigation Act B.E. 2550 (2007) and relevant
supportive legislations. Bangkok: Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation.
DDPM. (2015). National Disaster Risk Management Plan. Bangkok: Department of Disaster
Prevention and Mitigation.
DDPM. (2019). DDPM Report 2019. Bangkok: Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation.
DDPM. (2022). National Disaster Risk Management Plan 2021 - 2027. Bangkok: Department
of Disaster Prevention and mitigation.
Department of Provincial Administration (2023). Administrative Information. Available from :https://www.dopa.go.th/main/web_index
Paweewun, Oranan; Sirimai, Pawee (11 November 2016). "Resetting the economy". Bangkok

Post. Retrieved 12 November 2016.
World Health Organization (2023). Thailand situation (COVID - 19). Available from :https://covid19.who.int/region/searo/country/th (2023, February 1).

PANOOTTIKORN, L. (2018). Thailand’s country profile 2018. Kobe,Japan: ADRC.

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