Conflict Management on the State Development Project: A Case Study of the Coastal Protection Dam, Muang Ngam Subdistrict, Singhanakhon District, Songkhla Province

Abstract

The objectives of the research were: 1) to study conflict situations, conflict development, and conflicts arising from the construction of the Coastal Protection Dam, Muang Ngam Subdistrict, and 2) to analyze the causes of conflicts arising from the construction of the Coastal Protection Dam, Muang Ngam Subdistrict, 3) to propose management guidelines for conflicts of those involved in the Coastal Protection Dam, Muang Ngam Subdistrict according to the researcher's data and recommendations from the informants. The qualitative research method was applied in this research by semi-structured interviews with government agencies and the villagers involved in the conflict and involved in resolving conflicts. There were 17 key informants in total comprising 2 people from regional agencies, 6 from local agencies, 2 from supporting the project, and 7 from opposing the project. Including the study of various documents and the data to be compiled, analyzed, and finalized for the conclusions and recommendations. The results of the research indicated the conflict under the State Development Project found that the conflict situations and development can be divided into 3 phases; Latent conflict, Emerging Conflict, and Manifest Conflict. The controversy over the situation is that the government wants dams to protect the coastal banks to protect government offices, the roads along the beaches, and people's houses from the erosion of the ocean waves. However, people in the project area were concerned about the impact that leads to changes in the environment, way of life, society, and culture of the community. There were four causes of conflicts: Data Conflicts, Interest Conflicts, Structural Conflicts, and Value Conflicts. In furtherance, six approaches to conflict management of government and people's sectors: (1) Mediation negotiations, (2) Negotiations, (3) Integration of the people's sector, (4) Peacefully and constructively objection to the project (5) Filed with the Administrative Court, and (6) Submitting a letter to the Land Committee, Natural Resources and Environment, and the House of Representatives. Furthermore, the proposal of conflict management guidelines consists of four approaches as follows: 1) Establishment of a working group, 2) Amendment of relevant laws and regulations, and problem-solving optimization, 3) Public hearing and participation in the area, and 4) Empowering local communities to manage their local resources.