SUMERNET outreach to local communities about climate change adaptation in Samut Sakon province proves beneficial

During the current monsoon season and heavy rainfall, the SUMERNET research partners undertook field-level outreach activities on climate change and adaptation techniques in Samut Sakon province in Thailand.

During the current monsoon season and heavy rainfall, the SUMERNET research project titled “Communicating water-related climate change risks to improve local adaptation in the deltas of the Mekong Region” undertook field-level outreach activities in Samut Sakon province in Thailand.

The project team from Kasetsart University, led by Dr. Sakaradhorn Boontaweyuwat, shared and discussed their research findings with local governments and community-based organizations during 9 to 15 September 2013. The outreach activities have become further relevant with the threat of more floods in the rainy season in Thailand.

Strategy for outreach

The primary strategy of the research team for disseminating the SUMERNET research findings focused on informal lectures and discussions between the speakers and the local people in Tha Chin and Kalong subdistricts in Samut Sakhon province.

The two groups invited to attend this seminar were the leaders from the Tha Chin and Kalong Subdistricts Administrative Organization (SAO) and volunteer groups in both subdistricts. These groups have a significant influence among local people in changing local behaviour for adapting to climate risks.

(cc) 2013 Photo by Kasetsart University - Research team interactions with the boundary partners at Tha Chin Health Promotion Hospital, Tha Chin subdistrict, Samut Sakhon province

The volunteers gathered at the Health Promotion Hospital for a meeting where they received the guidance and directions on how to take care of the local people or households in their nearest villages. One volunteer will take care of fifteen households. The volunteers receive 600 Baht/ month (about US$ 20) from the government for fuel costs to attend the meetings. The relationship between the volunteers and their own local people is very intimate.

A number of meetings have been organized at the Tha Chin and Kalong Health Promotion Hospitals:

1. 9-11 and 15 September 2013: Presentation of research findings and discussions with the leaders of the Tha Chin Subdistrict Administrative Organization, the volunteers group, farmers, aquaculture practitioners, and fishers at Tha Chin Health Promotion Hospital, Tha-Chin subdistrict, Muang district, Samut Sakhon province.
2. 12-15 September 2013: Presentation of research findings and discussions with leaders of the Kalong Subdistrict Administrative Organization, the volunteers group, farmers, salt farmers, aquaculture practitioners, and fishers at Kalong Health Promotion Hospital, Kalong subdistrict, Muang district, Samut Sakhon province.

(cc) 2013 Photo by Kasetsart University - Research team and the boundary partners at Kalong Health Promotion Hospital, Kalong subdistrict, Samut Sakhon province

The research team also provided the president of the volunteer groups with project documents and a short film presentation showing the techniques for adaptation to climate change risks. The team also expressed its commitment and willingness to help and cooperate with other activities in the local areas regarding climate change adaptation in the future.

More information is available from the Sustainable Mekong Research Network (SUMERNET) at www.sumernet.org.