Community-Based Water Management in Thailand Toward Wildland Fire and Smoke Haze Issue in the Upper Asean

Abstract

Community-based Water Management (CBWM) in Thailand is fundamentally grounded in the Sufficiency Economy Philosophy (SEP), a concept introduced by King Rama IX in 1974. This approach highlights the importance of self-reliance, active community participation, and the development of locally adapted solutions to foster disaster resilience and promote environmental sustainability. Community-based Fire and Water Management (CBFWM) represents an integrated strategy designed to address environmental challenges, particularly wildland fires and smoke haze, which are prevalent in the Upper ASEAN region, specifically within the Lower Mekong River Basin. By combining water and fire management, this holistic approach not only strengthens community resilience to climate change but also enhances local livelihoods in a sustainable manner. Given that social issues often serve as the primary drivers of wildland fires, this approach provides strategies focused on building community capacity to independently maintain ecosystem sustainability while addressing economic and environmental challenges.

Keywords: Community-based, Sufficiency Economy Philosophy (SEP), holistic approach, Upper ASEAN.