2022

Author(s): Duangkaew S, Bhula-Or R, Anantsuksomsri S, Nakasu T, Positlimpakul K, Prathumchai K

Thailand has faced many flooding crises, especially in 2011, which caused widespread damage to indus-trial parks and community zones. However, the nega-tive consequences of flooding on the local people and workers in industrial zones have been little studied. This study focuses on the impacts of flooding after 2011 on the well-being of residents in industrial zones in terms of their work and livelihoods. Community -based research was used to explore the effects of floods on 647 respondents who worked in Rojana Indus-trial Park (N = 247) and those who lived around the park (N = 400). A questionnaire survey was con-ducted in February 2020. The results showed adverse impacts on the economy, accommodation, and well-being of both the local inhabitants and workers, whose monthly incomes and overtime jobs decreased signif-icantly compared to before the disaster. However, lo-cal people suffered more from low incomes than work-ers of the company, as the employees' work status was maintained during the crisis. Japanese company cul-ture is investigated as a factor in the higher resilience and recovery levels of company employees than the Rojana community. In addition, the workers were evacuated to other accommodations until the com-pany recovered, while locals remained in their flooded homes. In addition, most respondents reported that mental health impacts were more likely to affect their mental health. For effective recovery and flood risk management, the government should follow up on em-ployment, accommodation, and livelihood after a sud-den flood, especially for the local people. A greater understanding of community risk, community engage-ment, and awareness-raising activities can enhance readiness, response, recovery, and resilience in disas-ter management by government, businesses, and local communities.

DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.20965/jdr.2022.p0889