The Role of Local Government Organizations in Managing Recurrent Flooding in Bana Subdistrict, Pattani Province: The New Normal of Communities and Migrant Workers

Abstract

Recurrent flooding has become a structural and persistent problem in Pattani Province, particularly in low-lying areas of Mueang Pattani District, affecting both local communities and migrant workers. This study aims to: 1) examine the characteristics and dynamics of recurrent flooding, 2) analyze the role of local government organizations in disaster management, and 3) explore the vulnerabilities of migrant workers in accessing state assistance.A qualitative research approach was employed, utilizing document reviews and in-depth interviews with local government officials, community leaders, and migrant workers from Myanmar, Laos, and Cambodia in Bana Subdistrict. The findings reveal that: 1) recurrent flooding has become a "new normal," operating as a seasonal cycle driven by physical factors and urban expansion; 2) local government organizations play a crucial frontline role in flood management across all phases under existing legal frameworks, but face limitations in terms of budget, data systems, and coordination during crises; and 3) migrant workers are highly vulnerable due to structural limitations such as language barriers and legal status. This renders them "invisible" in local disaster management plans, heavily relying on informal channels rather than state mechanisms.Local government organizations should officially include migrant workers in local disaster management plans, develop migrant volunteers to assist with multilingual communication, and create inclusive spatial databases covering all demographic groups to reduce inequality in accessing state assistance