Thailand and China’s Integrated Water Resources Management under the Lancang-Mekong Cooperation

Abstract

The purposes of this research are: 1) to study Thai-Sino cooperation on water resources management under the Lancang-Mekong Cooperation (LMC) framework and 2) to analyze problems and obstacles in water resources management cooperation between Thailand and China under the LMC framework. The researcher used the qualitative research methodology including analyzing data from relevant documents and interviewing key informants. The triangulation method was used for data validation. To analyze data, the researcher conducted content analysis, interpretations, and inductive conclusions. The concept of integrated water resources management (IWRM) was used as a framework for analysis.
The finding revealed that the LMC water resources cooperation has established institutionalization. However, the IWRM under the LMC framework was not fully implemented between Thailand and China. The problems and obstacles include the interpretation and implementation of the IWRM principle, the government-to-government cooperation, and the lack of local participation. To solve those problems in Thailand, the LMC water resources cooperation should allow local people to participate in water resources management in the Mekong River. Government agencies, scholars, and local people should work together to create knowledge of the Mekong River.