The Perceived Impacts of Upstream Dam Building in the Mekong River on Downstream Communities in Thailand: The Case of Chiang Rai Province
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This paper investigates the perceived impacts of upstream river activities upon the livelihoods and community of riverbank villagers in downstream waters. The case study focuses on communities in three districts of Chiang Rai Province, Northern Thailand. The Province borders Laos and Myanmar and is the most upstream Thai province along the Mekong River. While many studies have focused on the socio-ecological and socio-economic effects, we also emphasize socio-cultural aspects, based on a reading of mostly Thai language sources. These aspects are often intangible, yet no less important for the overall well-being of river bank communities with rich and long standing traditions. However, the perceived threats to such intangible, yet vital, elements to the community’s ecology have reinvigorated activism of local civil society, and hence, could be seen as a positive to social cohesion. Combining the insights from the perceived livelihoods and community impacts generates an interesting paradox: The changing Mekong ecology leads to an erosion of local cohesion in the economic sphere, but to a strengthening and empowerment in resistance against government decisions and policies. These results reflect problems in policy-making processes with respect to (1) failures to engage with the local population; (2) a strong focus on economic gains at the macro-level; and (3) weak communication with local communities regarding forthcoming ecological changes. The paper concludes by providing suggestions for further research.
Abstract
This paper investigates the perceived impacts of upstream river activities upon the livelihoods and community of riverbank villagers in downstream waters. The case study focuses on communities in three districts of Chiang Rai Province, Northern Thailand. The Province borders Laos and Myanmar and is the most upstream Thai province along the Mekong River. While many studies have focused on the socio-ecological and socio-economic effects, we also emphasize socio-cultural aspects, based on a reading of mostly Thai language sources. These aspects are often intangible, yet no less important for the overall well-being of river bank communities with rich and long standing traditions. However, the perceived threats to such intangible, yet vital, elements to the community’s ecology have reinvigorated activism of local civil society, and hence, could be seen as a positive to social cohesion. Combining the insights from the perceived livelihoods and community impacts generates an interesting paradox: The changing Mekong ecology leads to an erosion of local cohesion in the economic sphere, but to a strengthening and empowerment in resistance against government decisions and policies. These results reflect problems in policy-making processes with respect to (1) failures to engage with the local population; (2) a strong focus on economic gains at the macro-level; and (3) weak communication with local communities regarding forthcoming ecological changes. The paper concludes by providing suggestions for further research.
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