ASIAN DISASTER REDUCTION CENTER
Visiting Researcher Program(FY2022)

Final Report

Developing Disaster Risk Reduction Planin Thailand

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.

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Contents
Chapter 1: Introduction ................................................................................................ 3
1.1 Background and Significance ................................................................................ 3
1.2 Specific Aims ...................................................................................................... 3
1.3 Expected Results ................................................................................................ 3
1.4 Scope of study.................................................................................................... 3
Chapter 2: Disaster Management System in Thailand ...................................................... 4
2.1 General Overview of the Country ......................................................................... 4
2.1.1 Geographical Data ........................................................................................ 4
2.1.2 Climate Information...................................................................................... 5
2.1.3 Demographic Data ....................................................................................... 5
2.1.4 Administrative Divisions ................................................................................ 6
2.2 Disaster in Thailand ............................................................................................ 7
2.3 Disaster Risk Management System in Thailand ....................................................... 8
2.3.1 Disaster Risk Management Principles ............................................................. 8
2.3.2 Disaster Risk Management Mechanisms ......................................................... 9
2.3.3 Role and Function for Collaborative DRM ...................................................... 13
2.3.4 Laws and Regulations.................................................................................. 14
Chapter 3: Disaster Risk Management Plan in Japan and Thailand ................................... 15
3.1 Disaster Risk Management Plan in Japan ............................................................. 15
3.2 Disaster Risk Management Plan in Thailand ......................................................... 20
Chapter 4: Key findings and Recommendations ............................................................ 24
Chapter 5: Conclusion ................................................................................................ 29
References ............................................................................................................... 31

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Chapter 1: Introduction
1.1 Background and SignificanceThailand drive disaster management system by implement the Disaster Prevention and
Mitigation Act B.E. 2550 (A.D. 2007) and the National Disaster Risk Management Plan
(2021 – 2027) which consolidated disaster risk management and also combined the newthinking and concepts of international and country framework including the Sustainable
Development Goals (SDGs), Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction 2015-2030,
Paris Agreement, the National Strategy, and the National Economic and Social Development
Plan. That for achieve the vision which is “Thai society has the potential to reduce the existingdisaster risk and prevent the new disaster risk efficiently to achieve sustainable safety,
stability, and state of disaster resilience of nation.”.
1.2 Specific Aims
The aim of the proposed research is to study the disaster risk management and disasterrisk reduction plan of Japan which is the important to building the sustainable safety anddisaster resilience.
1.3 Expected Results
The expected results are the concept of development the Local Disaster Risk Reduction
Plan to prepare people for survive from disaster.
1.4 Scope of study
The research focus on the development the Local Disaster Risk Reduction Plan in Thailand
to more practical, efficient, and effective by adapt knowledge and experience from Japan.

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Chapter 2: Disaster Management System in Thailand
2.1 General Overview of the Country
2.1.1 Geographical Data

Thailand, officially theKingdom of Thailand where lies in
the heart of Southeast Asia, has aland area of 513,120 sq.km. It isbordered by Myanmar (West &North),

Laos(North&East),

Cambodia (Southeast), and Malaysia(South). The Thai coastline stretchesfor 3,219 km along both the Gulf ofThailand on the Pacific side, and theAndaman Sea on the Indian Oceanside. The highest point in Thailand is
Doi Inthanon, at 2,565 meters(8,415 feet). The lowest point is theGulf of Thailand, at sea level.
Thailand is divided into four regions;
the North, the Central or the Chao

Figure 1 : Thailand Map

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 which is dubbed as the "Rice Bowl" of the country often encounters the repeatedriverine flood and urban inundation during the rainy season. The southern region terrain ishilly on the west coast and the coastal plain on the east. This part of Thailand has occasionallyfrequented flashflood, mudslide, tropical storm and forest fire.

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2.1.2 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) in someareas in winter. Southern Thailand is characterized by mild weather year-round with lessdiurnal 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.
2.1.3 Demographic Data

Population Total 66,090,475(in 2022), about 32.2 million males
and 33.8 females. (Department ofProvincial Administration, 2023).
The growth rate -0.14(in 2022), Birth rate 7.6 births/1,000
population, Death rate 9 deaths/
1,000 population, Life expectancy
77.66 years (male 74.65 years andfemale 80.83 years), Fertility rate
1.09 children. Thailand become anaged society by 2025. The Fiscal

Figure 2 : Thailand’s Population between males
and females
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Policy Office projects that the number of Thais aged 60-plus will increase from 14% in 2016 to
17.5% 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 Lao
PDR, 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, primarily
by 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
2.1.4 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, wasappointed 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,Pathom,NakhonNakhon

Nayok,

NakhonPhanom,NakhonRatchasima, Nakhon Sawan, Nakhon Si

Figure 3 : Provinces of Thailand

Thammarat, Nan, Narathiwat, Nong Bua
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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, Samut Songkhram, Sara Buri, Satun, Sing Buri, Sisaket,
Songkhla, Sukhothai, Suphan Buri, Surat Thani, 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.
2.2 Disaster in Thailand
Thailand has been affected by a variety of natural disasters whole the year including floods,
landslides, drought, earthquakes, tsunamis, heat waves, forest fires, and epidemics, as well as
man-made disaster such as industrial accidents and chemical accidents as in the figure 4
which showed Disaster Seasoning in Thailand. However, flooding is the natural hazard withthe most significant impact on human life, livelihoods, and the economy for the country. The
occurrence of droughts has increased in recent years due to the effects of the El NiñoSouthern Oscillation (ENSO) cycle, which brings drier-than-average rainfall conditions.
Drought has adversely impacted the country’s agriculture sector, which employs around one
third of the country’s workforce.

Figure 4 : Disaster Seasoning Calendar in Thailand

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To mitigate the impacts of disasters, Thailand’s Government has implemented various
measures, such as building flood control systems, improving early warning systems, andraising public awareness about disaster preparedness. Nevertheless, the country remains
vulnerable to future disasters, and ongoing efforts are needed to reduce the risks andimpacts of such event.
2.3 Disaster Risk Management System in Thailand
2.3.1 Disaster Risk Management Principles
Disaster Risk Management Cycle is a theory of disaster risk management for
dealing with disaster that is difficult to predict the results. It is a unique and non-linear
therefore must be carried out in a circular manner continuously and cannot separate
particular parts in each process. As a result, Disaster Risk Management is a Holistic Approachfor sustainable safety from prevention and mitigation, preparedness, respond, relief, andrecovery. The operation in each period of time, the disaster may have overlapping during
the operation depend on the level of disaster.

Figure 5 : Disaster Risk Management Cycle

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2.3.2 Disaster Risk Management Mechanisms
At Policy Level
1) National Disaster Prevention and Mitigation Committee
This committee has been tasked with the following functions, among others, toformulate national disaster management policy; integrate public – private partnerships forthe development of efficient and affective disaster management system, etc.; as stipulated
under the provisions of Article 6 and 7 of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation Act B.E. 2550
(2007).
2) National Safety Council
The main functions of this council are, among others, to propose the nationalsafety policy; propose practice guidelines and has a responsibility to undertake inter –agency coordination. The composition and functions of this council have been set out in thePrime Minister’s Office Regulation on National Safety B.E. 2538 (1995), and addendum.
3) National Disaster Warning System Management Committee
The main functions of this committee are, stipulate measure, policy, and planfor national disaster warning system management. That propose to be a framework forrelevant agencies. The composition and functions of this committee have been set out in thePrime Minister’s Office Regulation on National Disaster Warning System Management B.E.
2552 (2009) and addendum B.E. 2562 (2019).
At Operational Level
The government setup the Emergency Operation Center (EOC) which is the centerof administration and coordination of relevant agencies in disaster risk management during
normal condition and expected to occur disaster. EOC is responsible for the supervision andcoordination between various sectors as well as determine the structure, duties and assign
various missions to the operational officers. In additional, to create a guideline or operation
manual in accordance with the Level of Activation and provide a place and facilities for
operations. The organization is in each level, as follows and the figure 6

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9Figure 6 : Disaster Risk Management Mechanisms
1) National Disaster Command Headquarter
As a national command and control facilities this headquarters has
responsibilities to direct, oversee, and coordinate the emergency management practices of
all lower disaster management centers. The Minister of Ministry of Interior has been
designated as the National Incident Commander, and the Permanent Secretary for the
Ministry of Interior to be the Deputy National Incident Commander.
In case of large – scale incident management (level 3), the Minister of ministryof Interior will assume the role and responsibility of National Incident Commander, whilst incase of catastrophic incident management, the Prime Minister or the Deputy Prime Minister
whom assigned by the Prime Minister will assume the National Incident Commander’s roleand responsibility.
2) Central Disaster Management Center
Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation is required to set up theCentral Disaster Management Centre, and the Director – General of this Department has
been designated as the Central Incident Commander. Its functions and authority are set forth
as follows:

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response information, resources, and plans of all relevant government agencies in order toensure the overall state of readiness for handling any type of potential disaster.
2.2) Likelihood of disaster: undertakes full scale preparation for potential
response operations, keeps a close watch on the disaster situation, conducts data analysis
and rapid situation assessment, disseminates early warning message as well as reporting andproviding recommendations to the National Incident Commander as the Prime Minister as
the case may be for the purpose of making decisions related to disaster relief and emergency
response operations to be jointly conducted by all participating agencies in a coordinatedand seamless manner.
2.3) During a disaster: directs, integrates, and coordinates the joint response
operations for small – (level 1) and medium scale (level 2) disasters. In this context, theCentral Disaster Management Centre is required to take responsibilities for directing,conducting disaster situation assessment and providing technical support and assistance to
the National Incident command Headquarters; keeping a close watch on the disastersituation and disseminating early warning massage; and providing information andrecommendations to the National Incident Commander for the purpose making any decisionon raising the level of the disaster incident to level 3 (large – scale incident), and to the Prime
Minister or to the Deputy Prime Minister whom assigned by the Prime Minister in case of
the upgrade to level 4.
Nevertheless, the Central Disaster Management Center is required to continue
acting as the constituent part of in the Emergency Response Coordination Centre under the
National Disaster Command Headquarters in case of the upgrade to level 3 and level 4.
3) Provincial Disaster Management Center
The center has been tasked to direct, control, provide support for andcoordinate disaster risk management efforts within the respective provincial jurisdiction. In
this connection, the provincial governor has been designated as the Provincial Incident
Commander, the vice – provincial governor whom assigned by the provincial governor andchairman of the provincial administrative organization have been designated as Deputy
Provincial Incident Commanders.

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4) District Disaster Management Center
As a district command and control center, it has been tasked to direct, provide
support for and coordinate disaster management efforts of local administrative
organizations located in its jurisdiction, as well as performing any function as assigned by theprovincial governor or by the Provincial Disaster Management Centre. The chief district
officer has been designated as the District Incident Commander.
5) Municipal Disaster Management Center
As a municipal command and control center, it has been tasked to direct,
provide support for, and coordinate disaster management efforts of the respective
municipality as well as functioning as emergency response unit during an actual disaster,along with developing theMunicipal Disaster Risk Management Action Plan in line with the Provincial
Disaster Risk Management Plan and the District Disaster Management Plan. In addition, thiscenter has been tasked to provide support and assistance to the Provincial Incident
Commander and the District Incident commander as being assigned, including provision ofassistance and support to the neighboring or adjacent local administrative organizations
related to the implementation of disaster risk management activities upon their requests.
The municipal mayor has been designated as a Local government Incident Commander.
6) Sub District Administrative Organization Disaster Management Center
As a sub district administrative organization command and control center, it
has been tasked to direct, provide support for, and coordinate disaster risk management
efforts of the respective sub – district as well as functioning as emergency response unit
during an actual disaster, along with developing the Subdistrict Disaster Risk Management
Action Plan in line with the Provincial Disaster Risk Management Plan and the District
Disaster Management Plan. In addition, this Centre has been tasked to provide support andassistance to the neighboring or adjacent local administrative organizations related to theimplementation of disaster management activities upon their requests. The chairman ofsubdistrict administrative organization has been designated as the Local government
Incident Commander.

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7) Bangkok Metropolitan Disaster Management Center
This center has been tasked to direct, control, and coordinate disaster risk
management efforts within its jurisdiction; to develop action plan based on its vulnerability
and exposure to specific hazards in line with the Bangkok Metropolitan Disaster Risk
Management Plan; as well as providing technical assistance support for implementation ofdisaster risk management activities and functioning as emergency response unit when actual
disasters occur within its jurisdiction. The governor of Bangkok Metropolitan Administration,
as the Bangkok Metropolitan Incident Commander has been tasked to perform duties andresponsibilities as stipulated in item (3) of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation Act B.E. 2550
(2007). All this, the administrative component as well as duties and responsibilities of thiscenter will be subject to the governor of Bangkok Metropolitan Administration approval.
8) Pattaya City Disaster Management Center
As Pattaya City command and control center, it has been tasked to direct,
provide support for, and coordinate disaster management efforts of Pattaya City as well asfunctioning as emergency response unit during an actual disaster, along with developing
Pattaya City Disaster Management Action Plan in line with the Provincial Disaster Risk
Management Plan and the District Disaster Risk Management Plan. In addition, this Centre
has been tasked to provide support and assistance to the Provincial Incident Commander
and the District Incident Commander as being assigned, including provision of assistance andsupport to the neighboring or adjacent local administrative organizations related to theimplementation of disaster management activities upon their requests. The mayor of
Pattaya City has been designated as the Local Government Incident Commander.
2.3.3 Role and Function for Collaborative DRM
The agencies of the ministries and the relevant primary agencies have been
assigned specific roles and responsibilities relating to disaster risk management to perform
in an integrated and coordinated manner including 28 ministries and organizations.

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Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation (DDPM) is the lead agency at thecentral level designed to deal with whole spectrum of disaster risk management activities as
stipulated under Article 11 of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation Act B.E. 2550 (2007).
Its primary duties and responsibilities encompass the following:1) To develop and submit the National Disaster Risk Management Plan to the
National Disaster Prevention and Mitigation Committee to seek further Cabinet approval.
2) To encourage and arrange for the conduct of research and development to
identify the measures for enhancing efficiency of disaster risk management practices.
3) To implement disaster management activities, coordinate operational efforts
with, and provide support and assistance to relevant state agencies, local administrative
organizations as well as private sector partners in relation to disaster risk management.
4) To provide immediate disaster relief assistance to people have been harmed oraffected by disasters.
5) To provide advices and consultation as well as training on disaster risk management
to state agencies, local administrative organizations, and private sector partners.
6) To monitor, inspect, and evaluate the implementation of the National Disaster
Risk Management Plan.
2.3.4 Laws and Regulations
The Disaster Prevention and Mitigation Act B.E. 2550 (2007) has served as theprincipal legal mechanism for disaster risk management practices in Thailand. The Act
stipulate the National Risk Disaster Management Plan which is on the basic of global andnational framework such as Sustainable Development Goals, Sendai Framework for Disaster
Risk Reduction 2015 – 2030, Paris Agreement, National Strategy 2018 – 2037, and The
National Economic and Social Development Plan. In addition, there are other relevant
law/regulation/notification/directive from other ministries to combine for disaster risk
management.

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Chapter 3: Disaster Risk Management Plan in Japan and Thailand
3.1 Disaster Risk Management Plan in Japan
Disaster Countermeasures Laws and Acts in Japan which is The Basic Act on Disaster
Management. The Basic Act outlines the government's responsibilities and procedures forresponding to and managing natural disasters and addresses all of the disaster phases of
prevention, mitigation and preparedness, emergency response as well as recovery andreconstruction with roles and responsibilities among the national and local governments
clearly defined. It also requires the establishment of a Disaster Management Council, whichis responsible for coordinating disaster response efforts.

Figure 7 : Outline of the Basic Act on Disaster Management

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Disaster Management Planning System in Japan consists with plan 5 levels as the figure 8
including
1. Basic Disaster Management Plan: This plan is the highest-level plan and constitutes
the basis for disaster management activities prepared by the National Disaster Management
Council based on the Disaster Countermeasures Basic Act.
2. Disaster Management Operation Plan: This is a plan made by each designatedgovernment organization and designated public corporation based on the Basic Disaster
Management Plan.
3. Prefectural Disaster Management Plan: This is a plan made by each Prefectural,subject to local circumstances and based on the Basic Disaster Management Plan.
4. Municipal Disaster Management Plan: This is plan made by Municipal Disaster
Management Council, subject to local circumstances and based on the Basic Disaster
Management Plan.
5. Community Disaster Management Plan: This is disaster management activities plan at
the community level which is established by residents and businesses jointly on a voluntarybasis.

Figure 8 : Outline of the Disaster Management System
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The Basic Disaster Management Plan is the master plan and basis Disaster Risk
Management activities in Japan and forming a foundation for the Disaster Management
Operations Plan and Local Disaster Management Plan. The Basic Management Plan isprepared by the National Disaster Management Council in accordance with Article 34,
Paragraph 1 of the Basic Act on Disaster Management, and "must be reviewed each year in
the light of the findings of scientific research pertaining to disasters and disastermanagement, conditions of disasters that have occurred, and the effect of emergency
disaster control measures taken against the disasters, and… when found necessary," theCouncil is to revise it. Since its establishment in 1963, this plan has been reviewed every year
based on the Basic Act on Disaster Management and revised when deemed necessary.
Therefore, the plan was revised entirely in 1995 based on the experiences of the Great
Hanshin-Awaji Earthquake. It defines responsibilities of each entity such as the national andlocal governments, public corporations and other entities. It consists of various plans foreach type of disaster, where specific countermeasures to be taken by each entity aredescribed according to the disaster management phases of prevention and preparedness,
emergency response, as well as recovery and reconstruction. Further, based on the lessons
learned from the Great East Japan Earthquake, a new chapter was created in December 2011,
for Tsunami Disaster Countermeasures. In recent years, lessons from disaster responses anddevelopments in measures as well as responses to the COVID-19 have been taken into
account for the revisions.
As the Figure 9, the Basic Disaster Management Plan was revised in May 2021 based on
the amendment of the Basic Act on Disaster Management. There are 4 major revisions, First,
a review of the Major Disaster Management Headquarters such as the rule to designate thePrime Minister as its Chief. Second, creation of individual evacuation plans for smooth andprompt evacuation of municipalities. Third, integration of evacuation recommendation andevacuation instruction into a single evacuation instruction. Last, matters related to widearea evacuation such as conclude support agreement with other municipalities in case oflarge-scale and wide-area disaster. Moreover, there are other revisions based on recent
Policy Developments such as promote digitalization of disaster response operations, ensuresmooth evacuation of person requiring special care by utilizing welfare shelters, andpromote disaster prevention efforts in advance and response to complex disaster.
ADRC Visiting Researcher Report (FY2022)17Figure 9 : Outline of the Revised Basic Disaster Management Plan (May 2021)

Prefecture Plan on Disaster Risk Reduction is a comprehensive disaster risk reduction
plan that is developed by each of Japan's 47 prefectures, with the aim of reducing the risk
and impact of natural disasters in their respective regions. The plan includes measures toenhance disaster prevention and mitigation, improve disaster response and recovery, andpromote community-based disaster risk reduction.
The Prefecture Plan typically includes the following elements:- Risk Assessment: A detailed analysis of the potential risks in the prefecture, including
the probability and potential impact of various types of natural disasters.
- Disaster Prevention and Mitigation: This involves measures to reduce the risk of natural
disasters occurring, such as reinforcing infrastructure, building seawalls, and promoting landuse policies that are less prone to disaster.

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- Disaster Response and Recovery: This includes measures to ensure that emergency
responders are prepared to respond to disasters quickly and effectively, such as training
exercises, developing evacuation plans, and stockpiling emergency supplies.
- Community-Based Disaster Risk Reduction: This involves working with local
communities to raise awareness about the risks of natural disasters and promoting measuresthat can be taken at the community level to reduce the impact of disasters.
The Prefecture Plan is updated regularly, or when disaster happen to ensure that itremains up to date with the latest risks and developments in disaster risk reduction
technology and strategies. It is an essential tool in Japan's efforts to reduce the impact ofnatural disasters and to build a more resilient society.
For example, the Hyogo Prefecture Regional Disaster Management Plan has the purpose
to promote comprehensive and systematic disaster management and to protect the live,
bodies and property of the citizens from disaster. This plan developed based on the fourconcepts as following:
1) Promoting disaster mitigation measures.
2) Promoting DRR through the combined efforts of self-help, mutual aid and public
assistance.
3) Establishing a new disaster culture which is passing on the experiences of damage
and recovery and reconstruction from past disaster, such as the Great Hanshin-Awaji
Earthquake, take lesson learned from them, and conduce to methods of DRR in local
communities.
4) Promoting DRR by the collaboration across stakeholder.
The Hyogo Prefecture Regional Disaster Management Plan also emphasis on theimportant issues such as strengthening disaster readiness, rapid supply of goods anddispatch of personal to affected areas, smooth and safe evacuation, victim support system,
cooperation with private sector in normal time, and smooth and rapid recovery.
The structure of the Hyogo Prefecture Regional Disaster Management Plan including:General Provision, Disaster Prevention Plan, Disaster Emergency Response Plan, and Disaster
Recovery Plan.
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Community Disaster Management Plan: In order to encourage and promote proactive
disaster management activities among residents (including both individual and corporate
residents) in a given area based on the spirit of self-help and mutual help, and to enhancethe disaster management capabilities of the area in a bottoms-up manner, it is stipulated
that a community disaster management plan, featuring the community level disastermanagement activities, may be prescribed in the municipal disaster management plan. In
developing a community disaster management plan, more active and proactive participationof the area residents is necessary at an early stage of such development. As such, it isstipulated that the area residents may jointly make a proposal (proposed plan) to themunicipal disaster management council that a community disaster management plan be
stipulated in the municipal disaster management plan. Thus far, the plans reflected in thecommunity disaster management plans are that of 37 prefectures, 140 municipalities and2,030 communities, and the actions for developing the Community Disaster Management
Plans have been taken in 5,181 communities from 310 municipalities, in 47 prefectures. (asof April 1, 2021).
3.2 Disaster Risk Management Plan in Thailand
As the Disaster Prevention and Mitigation Act B.E. 2550 [A.D. 2007] Section 44 “In caseof any changes of disaster prevention and mitigation facts as specified in disaster prevention
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 thatplan rapidly.”. The National Disaster Risk Management Plan 2015 has been used complete
it’s period, so the National Disaster Prevention and Mitigation Committee work on to 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 be a conceptof 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 which is “Thai society has the
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potential to reduce the existing disaster risk and prevent the new disaster risk efficiently toachieve sustainable safety, stability, and state of disaster resilience of nation.”. The planconsists of two parts; effective disaster risk reduction and standardized disastermanagement with an important goal to drive the management of country meet the standard
and ready for emergency situations.

National Disaster Risk Management Plan

National Disaster Risk Management Plan

2015

2021 – 2027

Figure 10 : Thailand’s National Disaster Risk Management PlanFirst part of the National Plan consists with 3 strategies including emphasize on disasterrisk reduction, enhancing efficiency of disaster risk management system and implement oftechnology and innovative approaches in disaster risk management, and promotinginternational partnership in disaster risk management.
Another part of the National Plan consists with 2 strategies including integrated
emergency management and improving the efficiency for sustainable recovery.
The Plan will serve as a tool for reducing the impact of disaster, realizing disaster risk
management 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/
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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.
There are Provincial Disaster Risk Management Plans in 76 Provinces and Bangkok
Metropolitan Disaster Risk Management Plan. These plans aim to reduce the risk of disasters
and their impact on communities by identifying and assessing potential hazards, outlining
prevention and mitigation strategies, and establishing response and recovery protocols.
The Provincial Plan are developed and implemented by the Provincial Disaster
Prevention and Mitigation Offices in collaboration with other relevant agencies andstakeholders, including local government units, civil society organizations, and the private
sector.
Each Provincial Plan typically includes the following components:- Hazard and Risk Assessment: This involves identifying the types of hazards that may
occur in the province and assessing their likelihood and potential impact.
- Prevention and Mitigation measures: This section outlines the strategies and measuresthat will be put in place to reduce the risk of disasters, including measures to strengthen
infrastructure, land use planning, and early warning systems.
- Emergency Response and Preparedness: This section outlines the protocols andprocedures for responding to disasters, including the roles and responsibilities of different
agencies and stakeholders, evacuation plans, and search and rescue operations.
- Recovery and Rehabilitation: This section outlines the measures that will be taken to
restore essential services, infrastructure, and livelihoods in the aftermath of a disaster.
- Budget and Resource allocation: This section outlines the funding and resources
required to implement the Provincial Plan, including the allocation of resources to different
agencies and stakeholders.
The Provincial Plan are updated and reviewed every year to ensure their information is
up-to-date and promptly use in each province.
For example, the draft of Provincial Disaster Risk Management Plan for the latest revisedof National Disaster Risk Management Plan consist with seven chapters as the following:
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Chapter 1 - General principle including summary of the National Disaster Risk
Management Plan and Disaster Risk Management Principle.
Chapter 2 – Disaster Situation and Trend in the province including the general
information, disaster statistic and disaster seasoning calenda of the province.
Chapter 3 – Disaster Risk Reduction measure including risk assessment and DRR
measure.
Chapter 4 – Preparedness including preparing equipment and human resources,
preparing evacuation, disaster warning, preparing evacuation center, emergency response
exercise, and collaborate all stakeholder.
Chapter 5 – Emergency Management including emergency response and relief.
Chapter 6 – Disaster Recovery including rehabilitation and doing the lesson learn.
Chapter 7 – Implementation including monitoring and evaluation.

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Chapter 4: Key findings and Recommendations
There are some challenges for developing Local DRR Plan in Thailand. The example as
the following:- Some planning staffs in local office are not really understanding about DRR and how
to do the Local DRR Plan.
- Do not have the lecture or guideline on how to do the Local DRR Plan for Local staffs.
- Do not know the different of National DRR Plan and Local DRR Plan.
- Local Staffs get the draft document which explains Local DRR Plan, what topic should
include in each chapter and also a very short brief on it.
- Stakeholders’ knowledge is difference that might rely on their main responsibility
task.
According to the lecture on 8 steps Practical Method for Developing Local DRR
Strategies/Plans toward the achievement on the Global Target of the Sendai Framework for
DRR that mentions about the practical Local DRR Plan should as the following:- The National Governments should monitor the process on formulation of Local DRR
Plans carefully to avoid simple replications of a template plan. Local contexts are different
such as urban and rural, socio-economic situations, types and distribution of hazards, landuse, governance, finance, etc.
- The Local DRR Plan should provide experiences and lessons learned to establish a
tailor-made method for disseminate useful knowledge to other areas effectively.
- A process that uses for make a trail development of a Local DRR Plan is “8 steps”
which is the practical and feasible method to develop a local disaster risk reduction (DRR)
strategy/ plan with concrete measures for investment.
- The 8 steps enable leaders and planners of local governments especially in high-riskareas, to formulate or improve their local DRR plans to promote investment and the steady
implementation of measures to reduce residual risks.
The most recommendation for the solution to make the Local DRR Plan is morepractical is apply “the 8 steps” that will help the relevant staffs and agencies to under theplanning process for DRR Local Plan step by step.
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The 8 steps for Local DRR Plan explain as the following;
Step 1: Collecting local hazard information- The first step is to identify the potential hazards that could impact thecommunity, including natural hazards and human-made hazards such. That because whenhazard and exposure marge, it is considered as a “risk” which is the purpose of Local DRR
Plan.
- Refer to hazard information prepared by national or higher authorities.
- In case of insufficient hazard information, utilize historical disaster records
instead, for efficiency in term of time and budget.
Step 2: Understanding local disaster risks- Find out the critical condition areas such as people, public buildings, criticalinfrastructure, and health and welfare facilities. It should identify and prioritize risks which
has large scale impact.
- Using Land use map to check where people live and where criticalinfrastructures are located.
- Using City development plan and its progress report to see possible future risks.
Step 3: Confirming DRR plans by national and other authorities- Confirming on other existing plans or future plans to reduce the identified risk
areas.
- Refer to urban plans and DRR plans developed by national governments andconfirm the main structural measures in each disaster types.
Step 4: Identifying residual risks considering time-scale- Identify remaining risk after/during planned measures are implemented.
- Identify the change in remain risks corresponding to time-series.
- Understanding the remain risks and optimizing future planning and identifying
priority actions.
Step 5: Listing all necessary DRR measures by local government- List up possible measures for mitigation and preparedness which including
short-term, midterm and long-term measures and both structural and non-structural
measures.
- Refer to other related plans by local governments to compile into a Local DRR
Plans.

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Step 6: Prioritizing DRR measures- Carefully thinking about measure which is the most holistically effective by
develop a shortlist to reduce remain risks in consideration of feasibility, cost-effectiveness,financial resources, etc.
- Seek the best balance of structural and non-structural measures.
- Obtain consensus with stakeholders and government endorsement of thedeveloped plans.
- Which are the next critical measures to reduce risks?
- How can these measures be actually implemented?
Step 7: Arranging budget allocation in necessary level- Find a strategy for prioritized measures to be implemented.
- Identify responsible organization to bear the expenses of implementation. In
case of lack of budget, actions are necessary to seek for internal or external funds.
Step 8: Implementing DRR measures and reviewing periodically- Local government need to understand the implementation approach, such asprocesses and systems for implementing developed plans, progress monitoring, revision
methods of plans, consider the system for implementation, monitoring, and plan revision.
- In many countries established a council to coordinate disaster risk reduction
between stakeholders in the implementation system. It is necessary to clarify the authority,
members, and management system of the council.
- It is necessary to share the process for implementation with all organizations
involved in the plan, and implement the plan in a cooperative and coordinated manner.
- Monitoring is a mechanism for checking the progress of the plan, identifying
the causes of any delays in progress, and improving implementation approach.
- Review is an approach to determine whether the current plan is appropriate.
For that, examine the assumptions established at the beginning of the plan development andvarious changes in circumstances surrounding the plan. Since the circumstances surrounding
the plan usually change over time, it is necessary to conduct periodic reviews at appropriate
intervals. In addition, when a major disaster occurs or when new issues are identified, makerevisions and amendments flexibly and promptly.

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In addition, to learn from experiences of Japan on disaster risk reduction will assist
local to know what they should to plan for DRR. The one of good examples is Ohkouzu
watershed and diversion channel. The Ohkouzu watershed is an artificial river created toprotect the Echigo Plain in 1922. The Ohkouzu watershed is created as a derivative of the
Shinano River. The Shinano River is a river that flows across Niigata Prefecture and Nagano
Prefecture, with a total length of 367 km and an annual volume of 15.3 billion. The Echigo
Plain was surrounded by the mountains and the sand dunes on the Sea of Japan side, andonce the Shinano River overflows, the flood water lost its destination and drifts across the
Echigo Plain. Due to repeated floods of the Shinano River had caused devastating damage tothe Echigo Plain, not only robbing people’s homes and forced them to take shelter on thewater, but also caused dysentery and other diseases that claimed a lot of precious lives. The
Ohkouzu watershed was created to eliminate this damage. With the repeated petition
activities for the measures and budget allocation, as well as overcoming many difficulties inconstruction work for cutting mountains, the Ohkouzu Diversion Channel was finally opened.
It has the role of protecting the Echigo Plain from flood damage by letting some of the
Shinano River flow into the Sea of Japan before it enters the Echigo Plain. In addition, in orderto adjust the amount of water flowing into each river, a movable weir was built in the
Ohkouzu diversion channel, and a wash weir was built in the main Shinano river.
The Ohkouzu watershed irrigates the Echigo Plain and continues to protect it from flood
damage.

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Figure 11 : Whole View of Ohkouzu Diversion Channel

The Echigo Plain receives various benefits from the Ohkouzu diversion channel. In particular,
rice cultivation, transportation, and land use have developed. Due to the passage of water
through the Ohkouzu Diversion Channel, the water level in the lower reaches of the ShinanoRiver has decreased and drainage has improved. In addition, flood control safety in the lower
Shinano River basin has improved dramatically. Along with this, the arable land along the
Shinano River was reborn as one of the most beautiful fields in Japan, highways and bullet
trains were built, and residential land was developed. The Ohkouzu watershed was thecornerstone of the development of the Echigo Plain and continues to support people's lives
today.
Due to aging, the wash weir was rebuilt in 2002 and the movable weir was rebuilt in2014. Since 2019, the Ohkouzu Diversion Channel Repair Project began, and improvement
works are still ongoing to respond to the increased flood risks due to the climate change.

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Chapter 5: Conclusion
Thailand is rated as the medium risk country and ranked 75th out of 191 countries
from Country Report 2023 based on risk assessment of Index for Risk Management (INFORM)
Platform. There are National Policy Framework to deal with risk disaster as the Disaster
Prevention and Mitigation Act B.E. 2550 (2007) provide legal framework for DRR which is
National Disaster Risk Management Plan (2021 – 2027). The National Plan describes a
concept of operation to guide DRM operationalization across level and sectors andemphasize on enhancing DRM capacity, effective and integrated crisis management system,
adaptation of innovation and technology in DRM, efficiency of recovery system andpromoting with multi agency and multi sectoral approached as well as strengthening
international cooperation. The National Plan is a master plan for provinces and districts todevelop the Provincial/ District Disaster Risk Management Plans which aim to reduce the riskof disasters and their impact on communities by identifying and assessing potential hazards,
outlining prevention and mitigation strategies, and establishing response and recovery
protocols.
There are some challenges of developing Local DRR Plans in Thailand such as DRR
understanding and knowledge, Local DRR Plan guideline, and difference understanding on
DRR of stakeholders. Therefore, to develop the local DRR plan need to understand the Basicdisaster risk reduction principle to all level of planning staffs and also all the relevant
agencies who is a member of planning committee and person in charge of disaster risk
reduction. Then, it should adapt 8 steps to develop local DRR plans step by step including
1) Conducting a risk assessment to identify hazards and vulnerabilities, 2) Identifying andprioritizing local disaster risk, 3) identifying stakeholders who will be involved in the plan,4) Identifying residual risk considering time-series, 5) Listing all necessary DRR measures by
local governments, 6) Prioritizing DRR measures, 7) Establishing a budget for the DRR plan,and 8) Implementing DRR measures and reviewing periodically. The 8 steps help to create acomprehensive plan to reduce the impact of disasters, enhance the resilience of thecommunity, and improve response capacity.

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In addition, learning from experience of Japan is also a good way that local assist in
develop local DRR plan, for example, Okozu watershed and diversion channel which reducerisk from Flood damage. The process and lesson learn will strengthen local DRR plan is morepractical, efficient, and effective with knowledge and experience.

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References
Cabinet Office, Government of Japan. (2021). Disaster Management in Japan. Tokyo, Japan:
Director General for Disaster Management of Japan.
Cabinet Office, Government of Japan. (2022). White Paper Disaster Management in Japan.
Japan: Cabinet Office, Government of Japan.
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. (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
INFORM RISK (2023). Country Report 2023 - Scores. Available from:https://web.jrc.ec.europa.eu/ dashboard/INFORMRISKCOUNTRYPROFILE2023/?noheader=1&v-vISO3=THA&no-scroll=1
Hyogo Prefecture Disaster Prevention Council (2022). Hyogo Prefecture Regional Disaster
Management Plan (Wind and flood damage countermeasures plan). Japan.
Japan International Cooperation Agency. 8 STEPS Practical Method for Developing Local DRR
Strategies/Plans. Disaster Risk Reduction Group, Global Environment Department,
Japan International Cooperation Agency.
Kamito City Disaster Prevention Council (2022). Kobe City Regional Disaster Prevention Plan
Common Edition. Kobe Japan.
ShinanoRiver Ohkouzu Meseum (2023). Available from: https://www.hrr.mlit.go.jp/
shinano/ohkouzu/museum.html

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