Asian Program for Regional Capacity Enhancement for Landslide Impact Mitigation (RECLAIM)

Landslide Mitigation Demonstration Project in Thailand

Introduction

Landslide is considered to be a high-risk hazard in Thailand since limited risk management has been done. This study efforts to provide better understanding of the causative factors and mechanics of the landslide and select vulnerable location for implementation of a Landslide Mitigation Demonstration Project in Thailand. Landslide mitigation works are conducted in order to stop or reduce the landslide movement so that the resulting damages can be minimized. 

In Thailand, the landslide hazard happens almost every year and causes economic damages and deaths. Records of landslide since 1970 show that landslides occur increasingly every year. This can be explained by two reasons: natural phenomenon and mismanaged land use. In August 2006, a large landslide happened in Trait province of Thailand. That single event alone caused 83 lives and cost and damages of about 308 million baht. Appropriate land management could have saved many lives. 

Identification of the Landslide Problem on Phuket island    

Department of Mineral Resources in collaboration with Geotechnical Engineering Research and Development Center (GERD), Kasetsart University is developing a landslide hazard map in 6 provinces affected by Tsunami. This landslide hazard zonation is undertaken to manage the land properly after the 2004 tsunami incident.  The study was done in 6 provinces including Ranong, Phang-nga, Krabi, Trang, Stun and Phuket.  Landslide risk prioritization has been done and the results show that Phuket city is the most risky area among the study area, because Phuket island is formed by granitic and mudstone rocks that have a high potential of sliding.  The existing landslide areas were investigated in order to collect the data for various (Fig 1, 2 and Fig 3). 

Description of the selected study area (Patong)

Patong city is situated on the west coast of Phuket Island. The city stays in an embayment surrounded by high altitude mountainous range.  Population in the city consists of tourists and local Muslims people.  The city has a limited plain area for development.  After the tsunami incident, land developers attempt to build the buildings in the upper level of the mountain, and thus disturbing the stable slope.  Landslide is then easily triggered by the changing of landforms and destroying the land cover.  Proper action needs to be done in order to prevent a potential large landslide in the city. 

Objectives

1. To demonstrate implementation of a landslide mitigation project.

2. To determine the landslide acceptable risk of Patong area.

3. To develop guideline for monitoring/warning system.To campaign with information material about landslide hazard warning concept, awareness for the city.

Partners

	Department of Mineral Resources of the Royal Thai Government (DMR) Ministry of Natural Resource and Environment Rama 6 Road, Rajthewee Bangkok 10400, Thailand    Tel: +66-2 202 3916, +66-2 202 3726 Fax: 662 202 3927 www.dmr.go.th
	Geotechnical Engineering Research and Development Center (GERD) Department of Civil Engineering, Faculty of Engineering Kasetsart University Phahonyothin Road,  Lardyaw Chatuchak, Bangkok Thailand  10900 Telefax : +66-2-579-2265 www.gerd.eng.ku.ac.th

Our Partner
RECLAIM is funded by the Royal Norwegian Ministry for Foreign Affairs.

Topics in this section:

• RECLAIM Phase I (completed): 
• RECLAIM Phase II (on-going): 
• Participating Institutions:
• Demonstration Project:
  • Thailand
  • Philippines
• National Training Courses on Landslide Risk Management
  
  Philippines 17 - 19 Oct 2007
  • Course Brochure (completed)
  • Abstracts of Presentations

  Sri Lanka December 2007

  • Training Report

  India 3 - 19 January 2008

  • Training Report

  Nepal 17 - 22 June 2008

  • Training Report

  Bhutan to be announced

>>RECLAIM Home