Public Participation in Water Resources Management Case Study of Lam Dome Yai River Basin

Abstract

              This research had objectives to 1) study the socio-economic conditions in the Lam Dome Yai River area, 2) study the participation and needs of people in water resource management, and 3) study solutions for solving problems in water resource management. Study areas were in 6 districts with an area adjacent to the large dome. The data was collected by using a questionnaire. The study population were people who use water, folk philosopher, persons respected by the community, the village headman and members of the local government organizations total 91,048 people. The sample group used in the study of 400 people. The statistics used to analyze the data were mean and standard deviation. By bringing the information obtained by the questionnaire leading into a participatory meeting with a target group of 30 people/stage. The target group consisted of local community leaders, folk masters, religious leaders and community representatives in total 10 stages.

            The results of the study showed that economic conditions of most population do rice farming as their main occupation, do crop-farming as a secondary occupation, income were less than 5,000 baht per month and had a burden and debt. Social conditions, most people lived in the area for more than
25 years and did not intend to relocate to other areas. The sample group had 73.30% of their own holding land, with most of them having their own title deeds in terms of participation in water management.
It found that the sample group participated at a moderate level. They took part in activities from time
to time and took part in water resource management four to seven times a year. And they needed to participate in overall at a moderate level.  As for problems and obstacles to the participation of people, the most common problem was people's lack of knowledge and ability to solve problems arising with water resources at 49.00 %. Followed by the problem of water resource management that people could not do it by yourself, they needed to join other organizations for success at 46.00%. And lack of knowledgeable leaders to solve water resource problems at 44.50% respectively. The results of a participatory meeting stage to achieve sustainability, there must be a working group at the sub-district, district and provincial levels,
in order to coordinate the request for assistance. People must be an integral part of planning and reporting the need for an organization in charge of water resources. So that the organization in charge would take action to meet the needs of people who use water and to find guidelines and budget for water resources management