This document summarizes a case study on integrated water resource management (IWRM) in the Chi River basin of Northeast Thailand. The study examines centralized practices by government officials and weak cooperation between agencies and villagers. It analyzes livelihood approaches and water needs in three villages impacted by flooding and drought. Key findings include power issues between agencies, rare applications of IWRM, and dynamic water challenges. Recommendations call for revolutionizing cooperation between ministries, empowering local authorities, and deterritorializing administrative areas for flexible water management.

1. Cooperations through IWRM for better
water governance, a case study of Chi
River basin of the Northeast Thailand
Pechladda Pechpakdee
Faculty of Architecture, Urban Design,
and Creative Arts
Mahasarakham University, Thailand

2. IWRM (The Integrated Water
Resource Management)
The Global Water Partnership (GWP);
IWRM is “a process which promotes the coordinated
development and management of water, land and
related resources, in order to maximize the resultant
economic and social welfare in an equitable manner
without compromising the sustainability of vital
ecosystems”.
GWP is a group of experience professionals that has been taking the lead in promotion
and implementation of IWRM through a worldwide network that pulls together
financial, technical, policy, and human resources to address the critical issues of
sustainable water management .(http://www.gwp.org)

3. Argument on IWRM
Biswas (2008) argues that
This definition,on a first reading, appears broad, allencompassing and, perhaps even impressive, at least
linguistically. How ever, such lofty phrases, when
scrutinized carefully and objectively, have little
practical resonance on the present,or on future water
management practices (Biswas 2008, p.8).

4. Map of the Mun and Chi Rivers in Thailand, tributary to the Mekong.
Background and river course data from
http://www2.demis.nl/mapserver/mapper.asp

5. Study setting
This study seeks to illuminate centralized
practice from the government officials
and the weakness of cooperation from
various key agencies and the villagers.
State
Regional Level
Local Level

6. Rural livelihoods approach;
A livelihood comprises the capabilities, assets (stores,
resources, claims and access) and activities required for a
means of living; a livelihood is sustainable which can cope
with and recover from stress and shocks, maintain or
enhance its capabilities and assets, and provide
sustainable livelihood opportunities for the next
generation; and which contributes net benefits to other
livelihoods at the local and global levels and in the short
and long-term (Chambers and Conway 1992, p 7).
In the livelihoods framework, assets are typically divided into five
capitals including natural capital, physical capital, human capital,
financial capital, social capital (DFID 1999).

7. Merry et al.(2005) argues that
To link lWRM and livelihood approach is important
since both governments and NGOs tend to focus
communities with a single-dimension for water
supply for domestic purposes; or an irrigation
scheme.
However, communities have multiple needs:
water for personal uses, agriculture, livestock,
fishing, laundry, small businesses like brick making
(Merry et al. 2005, p.200.

8. Research methodology
Area Based Research
Method
Interviews
Mapping
Observation
Participatory Action Research (PAR)
and Focused group

9. Three case studies, as follows:
The first case study is Ban Makock, Kantharavichai
district, Mahasarakham province, is the most severe case
for flood stagnant in 2011. In dry season, this village has
also encountered with drought problem.
The second village is Ban Don Nhong, is situated near
Ban Makock and also faced the same problem of both flood
and drought.
The last case study is Ban Don Man,is located far away
from Chi River and those two case studies, however, this
village is in the same sub –district, Tambon Khamrieng.
One major problem is drought problem.
Chi River

10. Findings: Problems and conditions
Power issue and role of agencies
IWRM with rare case studies
The dynamic of water issue
MOI
Provincial
Authority
Organisation
Tambon
Authority
Organisation
MOAC
Governor
in
provincial
Halll
Local admin
&
construction
MONRE
Royal
Irrigation
Department
Department
of Water
Resource
Irrigation
Local People &
Areas
Water issue
planning
Water resource
R
B
O

11. Policy Recommendations
Macro Level
1. The revolution of cooperation between bureaucratic structure :
Ministry of Interior, Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives,
and Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment
2. Cooperation between macro level and micro level through
Provincial Authority Organization
3. To raise the awareness of water is the dynamic issue which
needs holistic approach and flexible plans to cope with shock
Micro level
1. To empower local authority, Provincial Authority Organisation
and Tambon Authority Organisation , for the cooperation of
water issue.
2. The deterritorialisation of administrative area for water
resource management