Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Domestic Water Policy Implications on International Transboundary Water Development: A Case Study of Thailand

  • Chapter
  • First Online:
Politics and Development in a Transboundary Watershed

Abstract

The purpose of this chapter is to understand the impact of domestic water policies on international transboundary water development and management. Transboundary water allocation and river development are part of a political process in which different interests of basin states are reflected. The chapter posits that the national hydrocracy can execute control over the promotion or demotion of water allocation rules and policies, and water development plans in transboundary river basins. The chapter analyzes Thailand’s political economy of water and how the domestic water development progress has manifested in the formation and operation of the regional water management institutions: the Mekong Committee, the Interim Mekong Committee, and the Mekong River Commission. The chapter uses the concepts of hydraulic mission and reflexive modernity to analyze water management paradigms. By showing the progress of water development and the supporting water policies, the chapter examines the concerns of the Thai hydrocracy vis-à-vis regional water management. Specifically, it will be shown how the Thai hydrocracy politicized and securitized issues of water allocation and utilization based on their water development plans and concerns of institutional rules. Some policy implications regarding the way domestic policies can impact transboundary water management, especially transboundary IWRM, are discussed.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this chapter

Log in via an institution
eBook
USD 16.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as EPUB and PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
Softcover Book
USD 109.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Compact, lightweight edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info
Hardcover Book
USD 109.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Durable hardcover edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Purchases are for personal use only

Institutional subscriptions

Notes

  1. 1.

     Wicked problems were first described by Horst Rittel in his coauthored paper (Rittel and Webber 1973). The paper described a wicked problem as an evasive and unique problem to which many conceivable solutions must be proposed for continual solution (Rittel and Webber 1973).

References

  • Affeltranger B (2009) Sustainability of environmental regimes: the Mekong river commission. In: Brauch HG, Spring ÚO, Grin J, Mesjasz C, Kameri-Mbote P, Behera NC, Chourou B, Krummenacher H (eds) Facing global environmental change: environmental, human, energy, food, health and water security concepts. Springer, Berlin/Heidelberg, pp 593–601

    Google Scholar 

  • Allan JA (2003) IWRM/IWRAM: a new sanctioned discourse? SOAS/KCL water issues group occasional paper 50. SOAS/King’s College London, London

    Google Scholar 

  • Bandaragoda DJ (2006) Status of institutional reforms for integrated water resources management in Asia: indications from policy reviews in five countries. Working paper 108. International Water Management Institute (IWMI), Colombo, Sri Lanka

    Google Scholar 

  • Behrman JR (1968) Significance of intracountry variations for Asian agricultural prospects: central and northeastern Thailand. Asian Surv 8(3):157–173

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Browder G (1998) Negotiating an international regime for water allocation in the Mekong river basin. PhD thesis, Stanford University

    Google Scholar 

  • Browder G, Ortolano L (2000) The evolution of an international water resources management regime in the Mekong river basin. Nat Resour J 40(3):499–531

    Google Scholar 

  • Budhaka B, Srikajorn M, Boonkird, V (2002) Thailand country report on investment in water. In: Investment in land and water. Proceedings of the regional consultation, Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, Bangkok, pp 325–337

    Google Scholar 

  • Buzan B, Wæver O, de Wilde J (1998) Security: a new framework for analysis. Lynne Rienner Pub, Boulder

    Google Scholar 

  • Chomchai P (1994) The United States, the Mekong committee and Thailand: a study of American multilateral and bilateral assistance to north-east Thailand since the 1950s. Institute of Asian Studies, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok

    Google Scholar 

  • Christensen SR, Boon-Long A (1994) Institutional problems in Thai water management working paper for natural resource and environment program, Thailand Development Research Institute Foundation, Bangkok

    Google Scholar 

  • Declaration concerning the interim committee for coordination of investigations of the lower Mekong basin, signed by the representatives of the governments of Laos, Thailand and Vietnam to the committee for coordination of investigations of the lower Mekong basin at Vientiane, 5 Jan 1978

    Google Scholar 

  • Dixon CJ (1999) The Thai economy: uneven development and internationalisation. Routledge, London/New York

    Google Scholar 

  • Donner W (1978) The five faces of Thailand: an economic geography. C. Hurst/Institute of Asian Affairs, Hamburg, London

    Google Scholar 

  • Feeny D (1982) The political economy of productivity: Thai agricultural development, 1880–1975. University of British Columbia Press, Vancouver

    Google Scholar 

  • Floch P, Molle F, Loiskandl W (2007) Marshalling water resources: a chronology of irrigation development in the Chi-Mun river basin, northeast Thailand no. M-POWER working paper MP-2007-02. Chiag Mai University, Unit of Social and Environmental Research

    Google Scholar 

  • Foran T (2006) Rivers of contention: Pak Mun dam, electricity planning, and state–society relations in Thailand, 1932–2004. PhD thesis, University of Sydney

    Google Scholar 

  • Government of Thailand (1986) Sixth national economic and social development plan: 1987–1997. Government of Thailand, Bangkok

    Google Scholar 

  • Government of Thailand (1991) Seventh national economic and social development plan: 1992–1996. Government of Thailand, Bangkok

    Google Scholar 

  • Government of Thailand (1996) Eighth national economic and social development plan: 1997–2001. Government of Thailand, Bangkok

    Google Scholar 

  • Government of Thailand (2001) Ninth national economic and social development plan: 2002–2006. Government of Thailand, Bangkok

    Google Scholar 

  • GWP (Global Water Partnership) (2000) Integrated water resources management no. TAC background papers no 4. Global Water Partnership, Stockholm, Sweden

    Google Scholar 

  • Hensengerth O (2008) Transboundary river cooperation and the regional public good: the case of the Mekong river. Paper presented at the 13th IWRA world water congress, International Water Resources Association, Montpellier, 1–4 Sept 2008

    Google Scholar 

  • Hirsch P, Jensen KM, Boer B, Carrard N, FitzGerald S, Lyster R (2006) National interests and transboundary water governance in the Mekong. Australian Mekong Resource Centre/In collaboration with Danish International Development Assistance and the University of Sydney, Sydney

    Google Scholar 

  • Hooper BP (2003) Integrated water resources management and river basin governance. Water Resour Update 126:12–20

    Google Scholar 

  • Hori H (1996) Mekong-gawa: Kaihatsu to kankyou. Kokon-Shoin, Tokyo

    Google Scholar 

  • IMC (Interim Committee for the Coordination of Investigations of the Lower Mekong Basin) (1983a) Mainstream development: supplementary Pa Mong studies. Note by the executive agent. IMC, Bangkok

    Google Scholar 

  • IMC (Interim Committee for the Coordination of Investigations of the Lower Mekong Basin) (1983b) Mainstream development and related issues: note by the executive agent. IMC, Bangkok

    Google Scholar 

  • IMC (Interim Committee for the Coordination of Investigations of the Lower Mekong Basin) (1985) Thailand and the Mekong project: note by the executive gent. IMC, Bangkok

    Google Scholar 

  • Jacobs JW (1995) Mekong committee history and lessons for river basin development. Geogr J 161(2):135–148

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Joint declaration of principles for utilization of the waters of the lower Mekong basin, signed by the representatives of the government of Cambodia, Laos, Thailand and Vietnam to the committee for coordination of investigations of the lower Mekong basin at Vientiane, 31 Jan 1975

    Google Scholar 

  • Kaida Y (1978) Irrigation and drainage: present and future. In: Ishi Y (ed) Thailand: a rice growing society (Revised translation of Tai-koku, published in 1975 ed), University Press of Hawaii, Honolulu, pp 205–245

    Google Scholar 

  • Keskinen M, Mehtonen K, Varis O (2008) Transboundary cooperation vs. internal ambitions: the role of China and Cambodia in the Mekong region. In: Pachova NI, Nakayama M, Jansky L (eds) International water security: domestic threats and opportunities. UNU Press, Tokyo

    Google Scholar 

  • Makim A (2002) Resources for security and stability? the politics of regional cooperation on the Mekong, 1957–2001. J Environ Dev 11(5):5–52

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • MC (Committee for Co-ordination of Investigations of Lower Mekong Basin) (1962) Seventeenth Session (Special) 7–26 Mar 1962 Tokyo, Japan. MC, Bangkok

    Google Scholar 

  • MC (Committee for Co-ordination of Investigations of Lower Mekong Basin) (1977) Thailand and the Mekong project: information note by the secretariat. MC, Bangkok

    Google Scholar 

  • Mekong Agreement (1995) Agreement on the cooperation for the sustainable development of the Mekong River Basin at Chiang Rai, Thailand, 5 Apr 1995

    Google Scholar 

  • Molle F (2005) Irrigation and water policies in the Mekong region: current discourses and practices research report no 95, IWMI, Colombo

    Google Scholar 

  • Molle F, Floch P (2008) Megaprojects and social and environmental changes: the case of the Thai “water grid”. Ambio 37(3):199–204

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Molle F, Floch P, Promphakping B, Blake DJH (2009) The ‘Greening of Isaan’: politics, ideology and irrigation development in the northeast of Thailand. In: Molle F, Foran T, Käkönen M (eds) Contested waterscapes in the Mekong region: hydropower, livelihoods and governance. Earthscan, London/Sterling V.A, pp 253–282

    Google Scholar 

  • Mollinga PP (2008) Water, politics and development: framing a political sociology of water resource management. Water Altern 1(1):7–23

    Google Scholar 

  • MRC (Mekong River Commission) (2004) Minutes of the eleventh meeting of the council, Mekong River Commission, Vientiane, Lao PDR, 8–9 Dec 2004

    Google Scholar 

  • MRC (Mekong River Commission) (2005) Minutes of the twelfth meeting of the council. 30 Nov–1 Dec 2005, Chiang Rai, Thailand. Mekong River Commission, Vientiane

    Google Scholar 

  • MRC (Mekong River Commission) (2006) Basin development plan completion report for phase 1 2001–2006. Mekong River Commission, Vientiane

    Google Scholar 

  • Nakayama M (1999) Aspects behind differences in two agreements adopted by Riparian countries of the lower Mekong river basin. J Comp Policy Anal Res Pract 1(3):293–308

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Öjendal J (2000) Sharing the good: modes of managing water resources in the lower Mekong river basin. Department of Peace and Development Research, Göteborg University, Gothenburg

    Google Scholar 

  • Radosevich G (1995) Agreement on the cooperation for the sustainable development of the Mekong river basin: commentary and history. UNDP, Bangkok

    Google Scholar 

  • Rigg J (1991) Thailand’s Nam choan dam project: a case study in the ‘Greening’ of south- east Asia. Glob Ecol Biogeogr Lett 1(2):42–54

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Rittel HWJ, Webber MM (1973) Dilemmas in a general theory of planning. Policy Sci 4(2):155–169

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Roe P (2006) Reconstructing identities or managing minorities? desecuritizing minority rights: a response to jutila. Secur Dialogue 37(3):425–438

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Statute of the committee for co-ordination of investigations of lower Mekong basin established by the governments of Cambodia, Laos, Thailand and the other republics of Viet-Nam in response to the decision taken by the united nations economic commission for Asia and the Far East, Phnom-Penh (Cambodia), 31 Oct 1957

    Google Scholar 

  • Sneddon C (2003) Reconfiguring scale and power: the Khong-Chi-Mun project in northeast Thailand. Environ Plann A 35(12):2229–2250

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Swatuk LA (2008) A political economy of water in southern Africa. Water Altern 1(1):24–47

    Google Scholar 

  • Tingsanchali T, Singh PR (1996) Optimum water resources allocation for Mekong-Chi-Mun transbasin irrigation project, northeast Thailand. Water Int 21(1):20

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Warner J (2000) Global environmental security: an emerging ‘concept of control’. In: Stott P, Sullivan S (eds) Political ecology: science, myth and power. Arnold, London, pp 247–265

    Google Scholar 

  • Weatherbee DE (1997) Cooperation and conflict in the Mekong river basin. Stud Confl Terror 20(2):167–184

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Wester P (2008) Shedding the waters: institutional change and water control in the Lerma-Chapala basin, Mexico. PhD thesis, Wageningen University

    Google Scholar 

  • United Nations Survey Mission (1958) Program of studies and investigations for comprehensive development lower Mekong river basin. United Nations, Bangkok

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Geography, King’s College London, Strand, London, WC2R 2LS, UK

    Naho Mirumachi

Authors
  1. Naho Mirumachi
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Naho Mirumachi .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. , Peace and Development Research, School o, University of Gothenburg, Konstepidemins väg 2A-E, Gothenburg, 413 14, Sweden

    Joakim Öjendal

  2. , Peace and Development Research, School o, University of Gothenburg, Konstepidemins väg 2A-E, Gothenburg, 413 14, Sweden

    Stina Hansson

  3. , Peace and Development Research, School o, University of Gothenburg, Konstepidemins väg 2A-E, Gothenburg, 413 14, Sweden

    Sofie Hellberg

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

Copyright information

© 2011 Springer Science+Business Media B.V.

About this chapter

Cite this chapter

Mirumachi, N. (2011). Domestic Water Policy Implications on International Transboundary Water Development: A Case Study of Thailand. In: Öjendal, J., Hansson, S., Hellberg, S. (eds) Politics and Development in a Transboundary Watershed. Springer, Dordrecht. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-007-0476-3_5

Download citation

Publish with us

Policies and ethics

Search

Navigation