The Water and Environmental Resource Management in the Suay River Basin Area by the Integration of Local Knowledge to Support Sustainable Agriculture in Nong Khai Province, Thailand

Abstract

The purpose of this research was to study the water resource management and environment of the Suay river basin area by integrating local wisdom and analysis of water resources and environment management in the Suay river basin by integrating local knowledge. Qualitative research was used for the design. In-depth interviews of 20  key informants and 20  experts of focus group discussion were conducted. Research tools were semi-structured interview questions and guidelines for focus group discussion. Data were analyzed using content analysis and Triangular techniques. Research results found that in the past, villagers had managed water resources and the environment with local knowledge, in general they were simple, relying on existing things inherited from their ancestors, such as concepts, methods, materials, and tools which was not suitable for the current situation, unable to solve the problem, and did not directly to the point. Suggestions for the community needs were as follows: (1) river dredging, (2) projects due to the royal initiative, (3)  local knowledge, (4)  irrigation structure system. Therefore, appropriate management model including  (1) the irrigation structure development, (2)  the participatory management, (3)  the legal fishery management,  (4) the agricultural land allocation, (5)  establishing suitable systems and mechanisms, (6) the area base management, and  (7) the sustainable agriculture development.