Living with Risk Understanding how Flood Exposure and Vulnerability Shape Community Adaptation in Chiang Mai, Thailand

Student Spotlight | Climate Change and Displacement

As part of the Climate Change and Displacement course at the School of Public Policy, Chiang Mai University, Master's students Kyaw Min, Naw Gee Dar, and Thet Oo conducted field-based research to examine how communities adapt to recurring flood risks in urban Thailand. Their policy brief, "Living with Risk: Understanding How Flood Exposure and Vulnerability Shape Community Adaptation in Chiang Mai, Thailand: A Case Study of Mae Kha Community," explores the lived experiences of residents along the Mae Kha Canal, highlighting how flood exposure, insecure land tenure, gender roles, and limited institutional support shape community resilience. Drawing on community interviews, field observations, and policy analysis, the students demonstrate that while residents have developed innovative local coping strategies, long-term resilience requires stronger governance, improved early warning systems, and more inclusive urban planning. Their work is an excellent example of how student-led, field-based learning can generate meaningful policy insights and contribute to ongoing discussions on climate adaptation, disaster risk reduction, and climate mobility in Thailand. Congratulations to Kyaw Min, Naw Gee Dar, and Thet Oo for their outstanding work.