WATER MANAGEMENT CONFLICT IN PERI-URBAN AREA: A CASE STUDY OF LANTAKFA, NAKHON CHAISI, NAKHON PATHOM

Abstract

Water is an important resource, although it is a renewable resource. Water is essential not only in our daily life, but also in production activities. Changing pattern of water using led to conflicts among different groups of water users in many areas. Lantakfa’s water using was changing the pattern along the transformation of the area. The purposes of this research are to explain causes of conflict in water management in Lantakfa sub-district and to identify the roles of water management institution in the resolution of water conflict. The study will adopt the concept of peri-urbanization and modern conflict theory to analyze the water management conflict in Lantakfa, Nakhon Chaisri, Nakhon Pathom. To identify how stakeholders respond through water management in Lantakfa, Nakhon Chaisi, Nakhon Pathom the research was based on documentation, participation and observation. Additionally data for the analysis come from interview with various groups of people including rice farmers, lotus farmers, prawn farmers, area experts, and governmental authorities from Tambon Administration Organization to Royal Irrigation Department in Nakhon Chaisi, Nakon Pathom. The study found out that under extension of urban area, water resources have increasingly been used in non-agricultural activities. Since it was previously served for agriculture activities that resulted in water management conflict and environmental threats to the former residents of Latakfa community. In conclusion, changing pattern of water using in Latakfa is associated with the context of urban extension. Although the problem in water management have become more complicated, the government authorities hardly modify the pattern of management along the changing context.