From climate perception to climate action: case study of transforming sustainable rice cultivation in DoemBang Subdistrict, Suphan Buri Province, Thailand

Title: From climate perception to climate action: case study of transforming sustainable rice cultivation in DoemBang Subdistrict, Suphan Buri Province, Thailand

Author: Miss Chotika Thamsuwan

Year: 2024

Keywords: Climate perception, Climate change, Mitigation action, Sustainable, rice cultivation, Theory of Planned Behavior

Theme: Environmental Politics and Policy

Advisor(s): Jakkrit Sangkhamanee

The full thesis available here.

Abstract: The thesis explores the critical link between climate perception and sustainable rice cultivation practices. The study highlights the vulnerability of the agricultural sector, particularly rice farming, to climate impacts and emphasizes the necessity of transitioning to sustainable practices as part of Thailand’s broader goal of reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 40% by 2030. Employing the Theory of Planned Behavior (TPB) as the analytical framework, this qualitative research explores how smallholder farmers in the Doem Bang subdistrict conceptualize climate change and sustainable rice cultivation. The study investigates the socio-psychological determinants—behavioral attitudes, subjective norms, and perceived behavioral control—that shape farmers’ intentions and actions regarding the adoption of climate mitigation techniques such as laser land leveling, alternate wetting and drying, site-specific nutrient management, and straw and stubble management. Furthermore, the study also explores how climate knowledge is generated and applied locally, involving collaboration between farmers, policymakers, and experts.Data collection involved in-depth interviews with 24 informants, including smallholder farmers, agricultural officers, and a community leader, complemented by policy reviews and field observations. Findings reveal that farmers' perceptions are influenced by a combination of personal experiences with climate variability, social pressures within the community, and policy-driven incentives. The interplay of these factors determines the extent to which climate awareness is translated into proactive mitigation actions. The research concludes that fostering sustainable practices requires a nuanced understanding of local contexts, robust community engagement, and integrated policy support. The study's insights contribute to shaping targeted strategies and policies that enhance the adoption of climate-smart agriculture, serving as a model for other regions confronting similar challenges. This work underscores the importance of aligning climate perception with actionable, sustainable practices to advance climate resilience in Thailand's rice production

Political economy of the landbridge project with a focus on Ranong development

Title: Political economy of the landbridge project with a focus on Ranong development

Author: Miss Wipawadee Panyangnoi

Year: 2024

Keywords: Landbridge Project, Ranong Province, Spatial Justice, Environmental Politics, Public, Participation, Southern Economic Corridor (SEC)

Theme: Environmental Politics and Policy

Advisor(s): Narumon Arunotai, advisor

The full thesis available here.

Abstract: This thesis examines the policy process of the Ao Ang–Laem Rio Landbridge project, with a focus on Ranong Province, to explore the institutional and power dynamics underpinning the formulation of infrastructure development policy in Thailand. The study draws upon the frameworks of institutional and power-centered political economy, environmental justice, and place-based development to analyze the relationships among the state, capital interests, political actors, and local communities. The findings reveal that the promotion of the Landbridge project operates within a centralized policy structure that prioritizes macroeconomic and corporate interests over local capacities and community needs. Although the state has framed the project through the discourse of regional development, the actual process of site designation—such as the selection of Ranong—reflects structural inequalities, the erosion of community rights in determining their own futures, and the systematic neglect of socio-ecological dimensions. The Environmental and Health Impact Assessment (EHIA) process for the proposed deep-sea port at Ao Ang further demonstrates institutional limitations that hinder meaningful public participation. At the same time, an analysis of everyday politics uncovers the sociopolitical dynamics within Ranong that make it increasingly difficult for citizens to exercise their rights to question or scrutinize state-led development initiatives. This study argues that the analysis of large-scale development policy must systematically link national structures to local dynamics in order to illuminate the overlapping actors and power relations across scales. Such an approach is essential for understanding the barriers to spatial justice and for advancing the right to meaningful public participation in development processes

The implications of legal pluralism to understanding mining conflicts : A socio-legal study of Thailand’s Chatree gold mine

Title: The implications of legal pluralism to understanding mining conflicts : A socio-legal study of Thailand’s Chatree gold mine

Author: Mrs.Sara Kimberly Phillips

Year: 2024

Keywords: Legal pluralism; mining conflict; socio-legal research; resource governance;, investor-state dispute settlement; environmental justice

Theme: Environmental Politics and Policy

Advisor(s): Carl Nigel Middleton

The full thesis available here.

Abstract: This thesis explores the conflict surrounding Thailand’s Chatree gold mine through a socio-legal analysis grounded in the conceptual framework of legal pluralism. As mineral extraction becomes increasingly central to global sustainability agendas, including the clean energy transition and the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, this research critically examines how competing normative orderings shape actor relations, conflict dynamics, and perceptions of justice in contested mining contexts. Drawing on qualitative fieldwork, including interviews and focus groups, the study investigates how various actor groups engage with, navigate, and seek to reshape largely interconnected normative systems. These systems include formal legal mechanisms, customary and cultural norms, and economic rationalities, and further relate to environmental justice discourses. By analyzing the lifecycle of the Chatree gold mine and the evolution of mining conflict over time, the thesis reveals how actors strategically mobilize these normative orderings to assert claims, influence decision-making, and seek redress.Through this empirical case study, the thesis demonstrates the analytical utility of legal pluralism in understanding mining conflicts and contributes to broader debates on natural resource governance, law and development, business and human rights, and socio-environmental justice. The findings underscore the limitations of dominant governance frameworks, such as corporate social responsibility and social license to operate, arguing instead for a more nuanced and contextually informed approach to justice and sustainability in mining that addresses structural deficits in development decision-making. Such an approach works to reveal how struggles over norms and legitimacy are deeply embedded in localized experiences of harm and competing visions of development. It also demonstrates how actors creatively draw on diverse normative systems to contest mining projects and reimagine what just and sustainable development could look like. In undertaking this work, the thesis advances both methodological and theoretical insights into the role of law and normative contestation in shaping development outcomes

Public authority and legitimacy in land and forest resources governance in the salween peace park

Title: Public authority and legitimacy in land and forest resources governance in the salween peace park

Author: Mr.Saw Zaw Win Htoo

Year: 2024

Keywords: Governance, public authority, legitimacy, customary, state-like institution,, land, forest

Theme: Environmental Politics and Policy

Advisor(s): Carl Nigel Middleton

The full thesis available here.

Abstract: This thesis examines the governance of land and forest resources in the Salween Peace Park (SPP), located in Kawthoolei (Karen State), Burma. The thesis specifically focuses on a village, referred to as P’ Saw Lu village, by conceptualizing “public authority.” It explores the production of public authority and legitimacy from the two coexisting governing systems within the SPP: the Karen National Union (KNU) as a state-like actor and the customary Kaw. The data analysis of this thesis is based on data collected in P’ Saw Lu village through four in-depth interviews with key informants, six individual interviews with villagers, two focus group discussions, four key informants, participatory observation, and community mapping, as well as secondary sources. The findings reveal that land and forest governance in P’ Saw Lu village of the SPP is shaped by both the KNU and customary Kaw institutions. While the KNU exercises formal structures through bureaucratic departments like the KFD and KAD, the customary system exercises public authority through traditional structures, the Kaw governance. Public authority is produced through daily practices of various actors, including the KNU’s officials, such as the KFD and KAD authorities, village head and area administrator, and customary leaders, such as Kaw Hko, elders, and skilled diviners. Public authority is dynamic, continuously emerging through negotiation and cooperation among the practices of these different actors in the governance of land and forest. Beyond land and forest governance, public authority is also produced through contestation between the KNU and customary institutions, particularly in the provision of public services. The legitimacy of the KNU is rooted in the “legal-rational” and “charismatic” legitimate authority, while customary Kaw’s legitimacy is based on traditional authority. Additionally, Christianization has gradually shifted the basis of customary Kaw governance legitimacy from spiritual to environmental or communal motivations. This thesis argues that public authority over land and forest governance in the SPP, particularly P’ Saw Lu village, is co-produced through negotiation, cooperation, and contestation between the KNU and customary Kaw institutions, reflecting a plural and evolving landscape of legitimacy. It suggests that KNU’s legitimacy is reinforced when its rules align with indigenous norms

Affects of air : A more-than-human study of atmospheres and sustainable development in bang kachao

Title: Affects of air : A more-than-human study of atmospheres and sustainable development in bang kachao

Author: Miss Leonie Hueppe

Year: 2024

Keywords: urbanism, affective atmosphere, assemblage, sustainable development

Theme: Environmental Politics and Policy

Advisor(s): Jakkrit Sangkhamanee

The full thesis available here.

Abstract: This paper investigates urban air as an agentic force shaping the relationship between Bangkok and Bang Kachao, its designated "green lung." Traditional sustainable development frameworks often overlook air's dynamic role, treating it as a passive environmental component rather than an active participant in urban ecologies. Drawing on ethnographic research in Bang Kachao, this study argues that an affective, more-than-human analysis of urban air provides crucial insights for rethinking sustainable urban development beyond anthropocentric paradigms. Employing an urban assemblage approach and the concept of affective atmospheres, the paper explores how the materializations of urban air — specifically heat, wind, and pollution — are co-constituted through human and non-human interactions. Findings highlight how residents' sensory attunements to the air’s materialization influence their daily routines and sense of belonging, while visitors' perceptions of Bang Kachao as an "atmospheric escape" underscore the contrasts in air quality and its socio-spatial implications. The paper critically assesses how prevailing policies and sustainable development projects in Bang Kachao often reflect anthropocentric and quantitative understandings of air and the environment, failing to acknowledge their relational agency. It proposes that sustainable urban development must integrate the qualitative, affective dimensions of the atmosphere, fostering a multispecies culture of care and responsiveness. Such an approach offers a more equitable and ecologically attuned pathway for urban planning, emphasizing the inherent interconnectedness between air, inhabitants, and governance

The ontological politics of waters in northern Thailand: a hydrosocial analysis of the Ing river basin

Title: The ontological politics of waters in northern Thailand: a hydrosocial analysis of the Ing river basin

Author: Mr.Thianchai Surimas

Year: 2023

Keywords: N.A

Theme: Environmental Politics and Policy

Advisor(s): Carl Nigel Middelton

The full thesis available here.

Abstract: Through a hydrosocial perspective, this research illustrates how political contestation between different networks of actors in the Ing River Basin produces different versions of water, which reflect divergent interests, different meanings and water ontologies that underpin the tensions and conflicts. This research employs ethnography to study networks of actors involved in water controversies and tensions over the hydraulic infrastructure project in the Ing River Basin. The network of project proponents, including a state-led hydraulic institution, experts, farmers, and other actors, see water as a source of economic activities due to its close association with modern irrigation schemes for rice-intensive and agricultural livelihoods. The project planners see water as a natural resource and reduce water to its materiality and physical dimensions. Water is tied with the idea of development that values large-scale infrastructure, and top-down bureaucratic management embodied scientific knowledge in controlling water, mainly for economic purposes. Meanwhile, project opponents, including civil society organizations, environmental NGOs, academic activists, and some community members, understand water as a living river and environmental water. Living river and environmental water are produced through the coproduction of knowledge research, ecological and environmental campaigns, ceremonial and traditional practices, sacred rivers, and alternative livelihoods, all of which position water outside of modernist ontology. Living river and environmental water are socially, environmentally, spiritually, religious and culturally embedded with water. So, water is more complex than and more than a resource for exploitation. The project proponent and project opponent networks need to enrol and maintain their relationship with the village, which bolsters the community's position in negotiation in the conflicts and contestations. Therefore, villagers' livelihoods and needs were a middle ground for both networks in contestation. However, local villagers' livelihoods need irrigation water and environmental water, so this middle-ground area needs to stabilize modern and nonmodern water. This paper argues that water-related conflicts and tension in the Ing River Basin are rooted in such ontological differences. The approaches can be used to understand and frame a better water policy

Power dynamics in environmental policy: a case of the Pasig river rehabilitation commission's dissolution

Title: Power dynamics in environmental policy: a case of the Pasig river rehabilitation commission's dissolution

Author: Miss Maria Michaela Jazmines

Year: 2023

Keywords: Power Politics, Pasig River, Environmental Policy, Philippines

Theme: Environmental Politics and Policy

Advisor(s): Balazs Szanto

The full thesis available here.

Abstract: The Pasig River is located at the heart of Metro Manila and has been vital for trade, transportation, and livelihood. However, it became one of the most polluting rivers in the world due to rapid industrialization. The Pasig River Rehabilitation Commission (PRRC) was established in 1999 to address this issue. The creation of the PRRC emphasized the state’s mandate to protect the right of the people to have a balanced ecology. However, the PRRC was dissolved in 2019 by former President Rodrigo Duterte stating that the river is “uncleanable.” Interestingly, the Pasig River Expressway was approved shortly after, suggesting an agenda shift from environmental conservation to infrastructure development.This thesis is rooted in an inquiry on how political leaders remain in power despite crafting policies that do not benefit the majority. The research looks into the dissolution of the PRRC as a case study to explore the influence of power politics on environmental policy in the Philippines. It uses de Mesquita and Smith’s three coalition theory which suggests that policy-making is influenced by the distribution of a country’s three coalitions. An imbalance in the composition may influence a government’s ability to provide good governance. A theory-testing methodology is used wherein data is collected through document analysis and interviews with key stakeholders. The thesis reveals that the PRRC’s dissolution was influenced by the need to secure support from influential groups that benefited from infrastructure projects like PAREX. The findings highlight how the power dynamics in the Philippines enabled political leaders to prioritize agendas that benefit a small powerful coalition even if it does not benefit the majority of the population. The case study demonstrates the principle of how good governance is not essential to a democratic government as leaders are able to satisfy a minor section of the population yet still remain in power. The research then provides possible strategies to tackle these cases such as political clamor and public protests. Ultimately, the study aims to provide insights into the mechanisms of policy-making in the Philippines. It offers a framework that can be applied to other development issues as well. The research contributes to the existing literature on power politics and environmental policy, particularly in the context of developing countries

Assessing the contribution of Thailand’s poultry agribusiness towards mitigating climate change

Title: Assessing the contribution of Thailand’s poultry agribusiness towards mitigating climate change

Author: Miss Tita Phairaksa

Year: 2022

Keywords: N.A

Theme: Environmental Politics and Policy

Advisor(s): Carl Nigel Middleton

The full thesis available here.

Abstract: This research provides an overview of the Thailand agreement on greenhouse gas emissions, specifically focusing on the meat industry, and examines the roles of the government, private companies, and civil society in Thailand. Research indicates that the meat industry has significant environmental impacts, including greenhouse gas emissions, deforestation, and biodiversity loss.Livestock for meat consumption has been a major contributor to environmental issues such as climate change, water pollution, and deforestation. Livestock alone contributes a substantial percentage to global climate change. This issue has become a critical transboundary concern affecting not only one specific country or region.In response to the environmental impacts and the global challenge of climate change, the Thai government signed and committed to the Paris Agreement in 2015, aiming to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Thailand has set a target to decrease greenhouse gas emissions by 20% by 2030, and the Climate Change Master Plan (2015-2050) envisions achieving sustainable low-carbon growth and climate resilience by 2050. However, the country's environmental policy still lacks clarity and a specific focus on greenhouse gas emissions from the meat industry.Currently, Thai meat industries do not include information about greenhouse gas emissions in their environmental reports, and they tend to overlook environmental issues related to their operations. Moreover, these industries possess significant influence over the media, controlling information about the environmental impact of the meat industry. As a result, civil society has taken a leading role in raising awareness about this issue, rather than relying on the government or industry itself.In conclusion, my research findings suggest that the Thai government's lack of a robust environmental policy and management approach has contributed to weak regulation of greenhouse gas emissions in the meat industry. There is a need for more comprehensive and concerted efforts from all stakeholders to address this pressing environmental concern effectively

The Community Forestry case study in KIO-controlled areas, Momauk Township in Kachin State Myanmar

Title: The Community Forestry case study in KIO-controlled areas, Momauk Township in Kachin State Myanmar

Author: Miss Ma Khaw Lwe

Year: 2022

Keywords: N.A

Theme: Environmental Politics and Policy

Advisor(s): Carl Nigel Middleton

The full thesis available here.

Abstract: In Kachin State, Myanmar, forests are crucial for sustaining livelihoods and cultural significance for the Kachin people. However, recent decades have seen rapid changes driven by state-led development, economic growth, and prolonged conflict with Kachin Independence Army (KIO) and the Myanmar Tatmadaw. This has resulted in overexploitation, deforestation, and the conversion of forest lands to contract farming, particularly near the border with eastern Kachin State and China. To address these challenges, CF programs were introduced in KIOcontrolled areas with active involvement from local NGOs. Consequently, nine villages in Momauk and Mansi townships first obtained CF certificates from the KIO government, proactively establishing community forests to support sustainable livelihoods and systematic forest management. The primary objective of this research is to explore how Community Forest (CF) programs in Kachin-controlled areas can be strengthened through inclusive governance practices to enhance sustainable forest use and improve livelihoods. Adopting qualitative research methods, this study specifically focuses on two communities in Momauk Township that have been actively practicing CF for the past decade. Through in-depth interviews and group discussions, the research aims to identify inclusive governance practices that positively contribute to sustainability, while also highlighting weaknesses or failures that require improvement. The findings reveal that community forestry governance arrangements in Kachincontrolled areas have evolved to become more inclusive, actively involving all community members in decision-making processes. Traditional local practices and indigenous knowledge have significantly contributed to promoting sustainable forest use, supported by external stakeholders through education, training, and incentives. However, challenges persist, requiring a legal framework to address resource exploitation by local authorities, which poses risks to the long-term sustainability of CF initiatives. In conclusion, this thesis provides valuable insights into strengthening Community Forestry programs in Kachin-controlled areas. By analyzing inclusive governance practices and identifying areas for improvement, this research contributes to the promotion of sustainable forest management and improved livelihoods for ethnic communities in the region.

Environmental displacement in Thailand’s disaster policy and practice : A case study of Samut Chin

Title: Environmental displacement in Thailand’s disaster policy and practice : A case study of Samut Chin

Author: Mrs.Cynthia Nitsch

Year: 2020

Keywords: N/A

Theme: Environmental Politics and Policy

Advisor(s): Carl Middleton

The full thesis available here.

Abstract: As the world is experiencing more frequent disasters, sudden and slow-onset, the number of communities facing displacement is rapidly increasing. Some international frameworks suggest definitions and promote human rights-based approaches to dealing with mobility caused by environmental concerns, however, there is no legal term nor general consensus on how to label this group of people. With a lack of agreement on how to categorize those displaced on the international stage, nations are left to create and implement their own definitions and policies to assist. Displaced groups experience specific vulnerabilities and are at risk of human rights violations. The responsibility to protect rights and alleviate vulnerabilities falls on states. Looking at a small village in the Samut Prakan province of central Thailand, Samut Chin, sea-level rise is inundating much of the village each year. Families are moving their homes farther from the coastline or relocating altogether. Interviews were conducted in the village to understand and assess the severity of specific vulnerabilities. An analysis was made of disaster laws and policies to determine the categorization given for environmentally displaced persons and what resources were allocated to them. After examining the appropriate policies established by both national and provincial disaster agencies and comparing them to the experiences of those facing displacement in Samut Chin, it is evident that they do not adequately consider and address all vulnerabilities. While many of Thailand’s disaster policies have plans and resources readily available to support during the immediate disaster response, there is insufficient recognition given to those affected by gradual environmental degradation or those facing long-term displacement. This gap in disaster policy will surely lead to a gap in the protection of human rights and the reduction of vulnerabilities. By identifying deficits in categorization and allocations in policy this information can be used to change existing policies. It can also benefit civil society, humanitarian organizations, and advocacy groups by highlighting specific areas that environmentally displaced people desperately need assistance.

Policy engagements for a just decarbonisation : China’s 2060 carbon neutrality pledge’s ramifications on the coal industry workforce in Shanxi

Title: Policy engagements for a just decarbonisation : China’s 2060 carbon neutrality pledge’s ramifications on the coal industry workforce in Shanxi

Author: Miss Lucile Charriaut

Year: 2020

Keywords: Just decarbonisation, Environmental justice, Coal workers, Carbon, neutrality, Policy support

Theme: Environmental Politics and Policy

Advisor(s): Carl Middleton

The full thesis available here.

Abstract: To achieve its ambitious carbon neutrality pledge by 2060, China, whose energy mix is still largely dominated by coal, must progressively phase out coal-fired power plants. Being highly polluting, coal is no longer perceived as suitable to promote a sustainable, clean, and long-standing economy. Shanxi, a landlocked northern province, is considered one of China’s most coal-dependent provinces and accounts for a colossal coal workforce depending on the industry. Such a transition will, therefore, considerably alter the economic prospects and labour relations of this province. Considering the inevitability to lay off coal workers, the objective of this thesis is to determine how just China’s policies are in the context of Shanxi’s decarbonisation and the impacts of the transition on coal workers. Specifically, it examines if Shanxi will lead a ‘just decarbonisation’, emphasising a just transition in industries to be decarbonised with respect to the right to decent work.To answer the main research question, this thesis conducted a qualitative content analysis of available policy documents that support coal workers in Shanxi, as well as semi-structured interviews with experts of China’s environmental policies. The analysis closely examined the formulation of support policies to determine whether they are mentioning keywords in alignment with the just decarbonisation concept. Through a human rights-based approach, the concept of environmental justice, and the political concept of fragmented authoritarianism, this paper found that numerous policies are available to support coal workers throughout unemployment and re-employment. These results suggest that different needs and employment difficulties are identified and highly recognised in the formulation of policy documents. Nevertheless, aspects of procedural justice, involving the use of participatory approaches, were the least retrieved in the policy analysis in consideration of China’s top-down bureaucratic structure. The thesis concludes that within various relevant policies, numerous measures are available to ensure a just decarbonisation, although the challenge of their successful implementation is not yet assured.

Can offshore wind electricity in Taiwan be sustainable?: the case of Taiwan's first offshore wind project, Formosa 1 in Miaoli

Title: Can offshore wind electricity in Taiwan be sustainable?: the case of Taiwan's first offshore wind project, Formosa 1 in Miaoli

Author: Miss Yu Ju Lin

Year: 2019

Keywords: Sustainability, Renewable Energy, Offshore wind, Taiwan, Formosa 1

Theme: Environmental Politics and Policy

Advisor(s): Carl Nigel Middleton

The full thesis available here.

Abstract: While sustainability is implementing all over the world to strive to balance the development and environment, Taiwan is also committed to the transition towards renewable energy, and offshore wind electricity is one of the emerging industries with potential, therefore taking its newly operated project as a case study. The purpose of the research is to determine whether offshore wind electricity is a viable solution to achieve inclusive sustainability in Taiwan and the concept of procedural justice is involving to examine the planning and construction stages of the development while environmental justice is applied to evaluate the overall outcome from the perspective of the affected community. As a qualitative research, the thesis conducted two-month fieldwork in Miaoli County, where the coastal fishing area is the site of the country’s first and only wind farm, Formosa 1 which started commercial operations in December 2019, with interviewees including fishers, members of fishery association, government officials, and scholars. The result shows the polarized reaction of the main affected group, the fisher, to the construction owning to the difference in the degree of influence on the two main fishing methods in the area, “gillnetting” and “pole and line”. A small group of the fisher felt unjust while the other recognized the value of the offshore wind project. On the other hand, despite varying degrees, when procedural justice was sought to reduce the losses during the process and the consensus on the outcome was discussed to maximize the long-term gains, environmental justice was actively balanced in the project. Being one of the pioneer academic research to review the case after its completion, this paper concludes that, as Taiwan’s first offshore wind project, Formosa 1 did not fully convince everyone with its sustainability, but with the experiences, it did pave a relatively smooth way for the future development towards sustainability