Project to develop a system for surveying and managing flood and landslide risk areas based on advanced information technology and management

Project Owner: Faculty of Engineering, Chiang Mai University

🔹1. Case Overview

Area of ​​operation

15 districts of Chiang Mai province

Processing time

January 2021 - December 2022 (2 years)

Problems / Opportunities

The need to manage disasters (floods and landslides) that cause damage to people's property, without a detailed and accurate water barrier database and hazard maps for problem-solving planning.

Impact Verifier Status

The report was prepared by the Thai Social Value Assessment Association and presented to Chiang Mai University.

🔹 2. Stakeholder Mapping (Stakeholder Identification)

Stakeholder groups	role	Benefits received (or affected)	Participation level
Community / Main Target Group	Water User Organization (WUO) 9 sub-districts, 5 pilots and 4 expansions	Key beneficiaries, co-creators, bottom-up drivers	Social aspect:Reduce conflicts in water use (complaints decreased by almost 100%), create social capital and pride, have negotiation power, access transparent information through Line OA. Economic:Reduce concerns and create stability in agricultural land (entering the Treasury Department's rental system for 5,000+ households), reduce impacts and damages to occupations (agriculture/fishing/tourism), reduce costs (water costs, fertilizer costs from alternating wet and dry fields), increase income (e.g. tourism) Environmental:Benefit from improved water quality (from category 4 → 3) and a recovered ecosystem from water level maintenance.	Very high Co-driver and decision maker
	People in the area, more than 5,684 households around the lake Farmer groups Fishermen and tourism entrepreneurs	Key beneficiaries, co-creators, bottom-up drivers
Government agencies	Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation	Caretaker of Bueng Boraphet Wildlife Sanctuary	Management:Reduce conflict management costs and complaints, making it easier to integrate 13 departments (from previously working in separate units) Data side:Obtain current database (GIS/water usage) for planning, reduce communication costs/create understanding with the community. Operational aspects:(Treasury Department) has successfully allocated 100% of land in the prototype area, (National Park Department) has received proposals from the community to include in the "Conservation Plan", (ONWR) has received "Bueng Boraphet Model" as a Best Practice for expansion.	high (Paradigm shifters and policy makers)
	Treasury Department	Crown land owners
	Department of Fisheries	Traditional land users for aquatic animal breeding
	Royal Irrigation Department	Main Gate Manager
	Department of Water Resources	Water pumping supervisor for Boraphet Lake
	Office of National Water Resources	Policy agencies that oversee the overall picture
	Nakhon Sawan Province	Bueng Boraphet Management Committee (Main Board)
Business sector / Supporting organizations	Mahidol University	Project sponsors	Create real world impact and enhance the institution's image (SDGs)	Very high (initiator, process creator, connector)
	Mahidol University (Nakhon Sawan Campus)	The initiator, main project operator, creator of the participatory process and acts as a coordinating "middleman".	Personnel (Mahidol University) are recognized and appointed as national committee members.
Educational institutions/researchers	Nakhon Sawan Rajabhat University	Network of academic partners who collaborate on research	Reduce the cost of accessing data and networks in the area for research. Obtain a database to further research, write proposals, and develop teaching innovations (e.g., board games, integration into courses).
Civil society / networks

🌐 Key points of emphasis:Highlighting the “ecosystem of collaboration”— Who really makes the results happen?

🔹 3. Intervention / Innovation (Strategy – Method – Tools used)

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Innovation or working methods	Process Innovation: This project changes the way the area works from the traditional "Silo" and "State Directive" model to"Data-driven Co-management"Using the 3-Build Strategy
	Build Understanding:Using scientific data (GIS, water levels) and ground-based facts, we stage a data review to create a “shared understanding” that is key to reducing conflict. Build Access:Empowering the public sector by establishing"Water Users Organization (WUO)"To be a legitimate community voice representative to access negotiation mechanisms. Build Co-development:Create a Community Opportunity (COP) for all sectors (government, community, and academic) to make joint decisions based on "shared benefits (Shared Incentives)".
Strengths	Data-Driven:Reduce the use of emotions and conflict, and turn to using facts in negotiations. Bottom-up:Strengthening water user organizations to create shared ownership and sustainability There is a "neutral facilitator":Mahidol University acts as a trusted facilitator for all parties. Create accessible tools:Develop the Line Official Account system "Smart Bueng Boraphet" to enable everyone to have equal access to water situation information.

• Draw a miniature model (Impact Model Diagram) : OPTIONAL** 

Problem(conflict, lack of information, fragmented state) →Intervention(3 Creation: Creation of understanding, Creation of access, Creation of joint development) →Change(User organizations are formed, working groups are formed, joint rules are formed, land rights are obtained) →Value(SROI 28.89, 100% conflict reduction, improved economy, society, and environment)

💡 Key points of emphasis:It shows that this project “changes the way of thinking or doing”, causing changes from the original.

🔹 4. Impact Pathway / Theory of Change (Path of Change)

Use a linkage modelInput → Activity → Output → Outcome → Impact

number	list	Example description
Input	Resources, Team, Information	Main project budget (Mahidol University):995,000 baht Stakeholder Contributions (Y0-Y2):20.07 million baht (including community time, integrated government budget, and academic resources)
Activity	Main activities	Data collection, verification and improvement (GIS, water network) Water demand data analysis (5 activities) Establishment of a joint water management system (establishment of 5 WUO organizations) Linking water resources information to the online system (Line OA "Smart Bueng Boraphet")
Output	The resulting product	Current Bueng Boraphet database Water use model accepted by all parties (5 activities + 6 urgent projects) 5 water user organizations (pilot) (later expanded to 9 organizations in Y1) Line OA system "Smart Bueng Boraphet"
Outcome	Qualitative change	society:Conflicts over water resources have decreased (complaints have decreased by almost 100%), and there has been a stronger relationship and integration (state-community). economy:Reduce the impact and damage to agriculture and fisheries. 5,000+ households have legally entered the land leasing system.  environment:The water quality in the lake has improved (from type 4 → 3) and regulations have been put in place to maintain the water level (not less than +23.00 m. R.T.G.).
Impact	Systemic/Sustainable Change	policy:The "Bueng Boraphet Water Management Working Group (Flood and Drought)" was established in Nakhon Sawan Province.  law:The project proposals are included in the "Conservation and Protection Plan for Bueng Boraphet Wildlife Sanctuary Area (2022-2025)".  Expansion:The Office of the National Water Resources and Environmental Policy and Planning Region 2 accepts the "Bueng Boraphet Model" as a "Best Practice".

🌱 Key points of emphasis:Helps to see the actual “Impact Pathway” that the project is creating.

🔹 5. Evidence & Indicators (Evidence and outcome indicators)

Specify quantitative and qualitative results, such as:

Quantitative	Impact Breakdown:  Economic dimension: 351.06 million baht (60.54%) Reduce the impact of damage to occupations (agriculture/fisheries/tourism) People enter the legal rental system (create stability) (Value 35.00 million baht)  Environmental dimension: 183.23 million baht (31.60%) Ecosystem restoration value from water level maintenance (value 202.32 million baht) Value from the change to "wet and dry rice fields" (value 46.00 million baht) Social dimension: 45.62 million baht (7.87%) Reduce the cost of managing government conflicts (value 5.78 million baht) There is an elevation of relationships and integration (value 2.95 million baht)
Qualitative	Reduce conflict:"Complaints were reduced by almost 100%" (Speech by the President of the Water Users' Organization) Government acceptance:The Treasury Department stated that "Bueng Boraphet is the first prototype area where land allocation has been successfully implemented 100%."  Integration:There is a collaboration between 13 government agencies that were once separated.
SROI / Economic Valuation	Rate of Return (SROI Ratio): 28.89(Invest 1 baht, create a social return of 28.89 baht) Total Impact Value (2021-2028): 579.92 million baht  Total Investment Value (Total Input) (2021-2028): 20.07 million baht

📊 Key points of emphasis:To show that results are “tangible” and reflect value, not just output.

🔹 6. SV Key Lessons Learned (Key Lessons / Success Factors)

Factors contributing to project success	1. Data (Building Shared Understanding):Creating a “Shared Understanding” is the most important key to reducing conflict. 2. Process (Power from the Roots):Success is driven by bottom-up drive and the creation of strong "Water User Organizations (WUOs)". 3. Leadership (mediator role):Mahidol University (Academic Sector) acts as a neutral "facilitator" helping to connect the government and the community. 4. Partnership (mutual benefits):Designing a process that makes all parties aware of "Shared Incentives" creates true integration.
Obstacles and lessons learned from operations	Overcoming Distrust:Initially, the community felt "traumatized" by the past research projects that were "just do it and go". The project needed time to build ongoing relationships. The complexity of the law:With 13 agencies and three overlapping primary laws, integration has failed in the past, and the project has relied on a "judicial ruling" (which states that all laws must be applied together) as the starting point for negotiations. External factors:The COVID-19 outbreak and flooding situation in 2021-2022 caused the field visit to be delayed from the plan.
role	Leader (Mahidol University):Be an initiator, facilitator, knowledge and technology creator (Line OA) Network (Water User Organization):Be a problem owner, a co-creator of the rules, and a driving force in the area. Supporters (13 government agencies):Be a law-maker, a changer of attitudes, and a guarantor of new mechanisms to be put into practice.

🔹 7. Impact Scalability 

In summary, how can this process be “extended/expanded” to other areas?

This model is scalable using a 3-step strategy: Build understanding with data Creating access by empowering water user organizations Creating development together with a dialogue platform Policy Scaling:Office of National Water Resources (ONWR) Region 2 accepts "Bueng Boraphet Model" asBest Practiceand there is a plan to present it to expand to more than water user organizations3,000 organizations nationwide

Project wants to expand cooperation. What to develop? Invite Impact Partnership.

1. Climate Resilience:Expanding the "Alternating Wet and Dry (AWD) Model" to agricultural areas around the lake, inviting the private sector to join in creating market mechanisms and eco-friendly rice brands. 2. Technology:Develop the "SMART Bueng Boraphet" system to link APIs with databases of various agencies (e.g., the Royal Irrigation Department, the Department of Water Resources) 3. Sustainability (sustainability):Inviting local and educational sectors to join in promoting "New Generation Leaders" to participate in water user organizations to ensure continuity of the mechanism.

 🧩 Key points of emphasis:Let's see the "opportunity to further apply this model" and join hands.— Help the association select cases with high potential for public dissemination.

🔹 8. SV Inspiration (Reflection of social values)

“What value did this project create for people and society?”

This project has transformed the "battlefield" of resource competition into a "forum of cooperation" by building "trust" and "common rules" based on information and mutual understanding. The greatest value lies in restoring "rights" and "voices" to communities, enabling them to manage their own resources, while restoring ecosystems and ensuring land security. It proves that complex and long-standing problems can be resolved when all parties share a "mutual interest."

• Reflected from the perspective of beneficiaries (stakeholder voice)

• Short quotes (Quotes) from stakeholders such as villagers, researchers, local administrators

Short quotes (Quotes) from those involved

Researcher (Beginner):"The key is to create systems and mechanisms that lead to changing community attitudes. When communities participate, the system can function effectively before we can push for change at the policy and legislative level." -Dr. Napol Anutrangkul (Project Leader)   Policy Sector (Expander):"The strength of the Bueng Boraphet model comes from its bottom-up drive. When all parties recognize shared incentives, it leads to true integration, not external organization." -Mr. Sarawut Sakon (Director of the NBTC Region 2)   Government (Law Enforcer):  Mr. Jiradej Boonmak (Head of Bueng Boraphet Wildlife Sanctuary - Government Sector):"We aim to make this a model for management that balances sustainability across economic, social, and environmental dimensions, enabling communities to coexist with natural resources in a mutually beneficial way, without encroaching on government land." Mr. Ekkachat Aimtal (Director of Nakhon Sawan Irrigation Project - Government Sector):"Resource management has clearly changed for the better... The conflicts that once existed in the area have disappeared." Dr. Wachira Kwangkwang (Nakhon Sawan Provincial Fisheries Office - Government Sector):"Creating shared understanding is the key to reducing conflict. When all parties have the same information, it leads to an effective, collaborative decision-making process." Ms. Nattaweerwan Luengsuwalai (Treasury Department, Nakhon Sawan Area - Government Sector):“Bueng Boraphet is the first prototype area where 100% land allocation has been successfully implemented. This success was achieved through the strong integration of all sectors.”  Community (beneficiaries):  Mr. Somchai Impo (Representative of the Water User Organization of Phanom Set Subdistrict - Pilot Community):"We adhere to the principle of participatory water resource management by establishing clear rules for water allocation among sub-districts. We employ a systematic, rotating sharing method to ensure fair and comprehensive benefits for all water users in all areas." Mr. Sai Ruang Ngaoli (Chairman of the Wang Yai Subdistrict Water Users Organization - Extension Community):"In the past, water conflicts between the upper and lower zones have been high. However, by forming a group of extended water user organizations, we have the power to negotiate directly with all sectors, foster mutual understanding, and reduce complaints by almost 100%."