Politics of Local Politicians in Nonthaburi and Pathum Thani Provinces and Flood Management

Abstract

This research aims to (1) investigate the political role of local politicians in flood management, (2) investigate the relationship between local politicians' values and flood management, and (3) investigate the cooperation and conflicts that occur during management. The qualitative research approach was employed using the techniques of documentary analysis and in-depth interviews. Data were collected from a survey form for the confirmation of data triangulation. The political roles of local politicians in flood management were directly related to an awareness of responsibility as representatives of the people from the election. The results find that local politicians’ roles consisted of assisting in urgent situations and coordinating with local administrative organizations in the areas and at a provincial level to request budget, equipment, staffing, and vehicles to prevent flooding in the areas and drain water. The political values correlated with the roles were economic value, faith value, and knowledge value, respectively. The conflicts consisted of conflicts in the areas, conflicts between areas of local administrative organizations in the provinces, and conflicts in the areas of connecting provinces. Local politicians were leaders in the talks and negotiations to foster understanding and coordinate with the local administrative organizations, the governing section of districts, provinces, and related agencies.