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Synergizing Livelihoodand Environment: The Construction of a Building for theSavings Group of Baan Thonglarng

THAILAND

GENERAL INFORMATION

� Country: Thailand

� Location: Phang Nga Province, Takuatoong District, Lor YoongSub-district, Thonglarng village

� Community: Baan Thonglarng

� Number of Beneficiaries: 2,000

� Workshop Section: InfrastructureMarket and Finance

� Implementing Institution: Food Security Project for PhangNga Bay Coastal Communities

� Head: Mr. Pichet Pandam

� Details of Institution: Address: S39 Moo 3, Tambon Pa Klog, Amphur Thalang, Phuket83110, Thailand

Tel.: (+66) 89-873-1051

E-mail: [email protected]

� Implementation Period: 1 September 2005-31 August 2006

� Budget: $19,283.43

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104 VOLUME 14: EXAMPLES OF COMMUNITY-BASED APPROACHES TO RECOVERY FROM NATURAL DISASTERS: POST-TSUNAMI EXPERIENCES

SUMMARY

Under this project, a multi-purposebuilding for a coastal community wasconstructed to support the community’sself-initiated efforts in addressing eco-nomic and environmental issues that hadpersisted for many years. The tsunamiopened new opportunities for the peopleto reiterate these problems and obtaindue support for their initiatives.

The project helped the people to pur-sue their efforts by providing necessaryinfrastructure and facilities as well asenhancing the capacity of the communi-ty to manage self-sustained development.It was implemented through community-based organizations (CBOs) to ensurethe community’s ownership and partici-pation in the project. Its innovativeapproach to linking an infrastructureproject with the community’s goal of sus-tainable livelihood and long-term envi-ronmental protection has been recog-nized and supported by high-level gov-ernment authorities, the media, the pri-vate sector and its neighbouring commu-nities. At the end of the project, a memo-randum of understanding was jointlysigned by all concerned parties toacknowledge and support the communi-ty’s initiatives in this regard.

BACKGROUNDAND JU S T I F I C AT I ON

Baan (village) Thonglarng, a small villagewith 140 households and a population of

around 2,000, is located in Lor YoongSub-district, Phang Nga Province. As inmany other coastal communities insouthern Thailand, the villagers have tra-ditionally earned their living from small-scale fishing and Pará rubber plantations.

During the past ten years, however,the community’s livelihoods and environ-ment have been adversely affected by theeconomic policies that have promotedlarge-scale fisheries and export-orientedprawn farming in mangrove areas.Destructive fishing tools used by com-mercial fishing boats caused severe dam-age to the community’s coastal resourcessuch as sea grass fields and coral reefs thatare home to many aqua species. Thecommunity’s mangrove forest was alsoencroached on by private prawn farmswhose waste water is drained into thecommunity mangrove area and its con-nected waterway. The decline in foodstock and natural resources has drivenmany young people to leave their villageto find jobs in the city. Most of them arehired in service and industrial sectors andsend remittances to their families.

On 26 December 2004, the villagewas badly hit by the tsunami. Althoughno one was killed because the mangroveforest had protected the whole villagefrom the huge waves, fishing boats andtools of many households were com-pletely destroyed. Many young peoplelost their jobs in hotels, golf courses andtour companies. Several months after thecrisis, it was still difficult for the villagersto resume their normal way of living asthe amount of catch was still low. The

Synergizing Livelihood and Environment: Thailand 105

fuel price, in conjunction with the lowselling price of aqua species over a longperiod, made things worse.

In such a time of crisis, the villageSavings Group has proved to be a reliablesource of assistance. The group wasestablished in 2001 by a group of womenand was the community’s first self-initiat-ed development scheme. Before thetsunami, the group had been active inreducing financial burdens on the com-munity members through its low-interestloans and welfare schemes. Shortly afterthe tsunami, it gave loans to the affectedhouseholds, found jobs within the com-munity and nearby villages for those whobecame unemployed, and took a proac-tive approach to protecting the commu-nity’s mangrove and coastal resources tosecure long-term recovery of their pro-duction base. It supported the establish-ment of another CBO, ThonglarngMangrove Protection Group, to workside by side with the Savings Group torehabilitate the mangrove forest aroundthe village (fig. 1). This would conse-quently increase aqua-species stock in thecommunity’s coastal areas.

The project, “The Construction of aBuilding for the Savings Group of BaanThonglarng”, was another effort toenhance the community’s self-reliantdevelopment capacity. It was implement-ed during the period from September2005 to August 2006 by the villageSavings Group, with full support from theMangrove Protection Group. It wasexpected that the project would createshort-term employment opportunities inthe village through construction workand long-term economic benefitsthrough a community business to beimplemented once the building had beencompleted.

OBJECT IVES

The objectives of the project were to:

• construct a multi-purpose buildingto be used as an operation centrefor community savings, income-generation, and environmentalactivities and as a communitytraining and meeting venue;

• promote women’s participation inthe community development workthrough a construction project;

• strengthen ties between livelihoodactivities and sustainable naturalresource management through anintegrated development approach;and

• strengthen the community’s capacity for self-help development.

Figure 1 A youth group on a mangrovesurvey tour.


OUTCOMES

The project was also expected to yield tan-gible and intangible outcomes. The tangi-ble outcomes would be the following:

• a two-storey 5 m by 12 m building, with locally appropriatedesign, energy-saving light bulbsand a natural air-circulation system;

• meeting and exhibition facilitiesincluding tables, chairs, white-boards and picture boards; and

• an empty, properly cleared spacebehind the new building for futureconstruction of a workshop for themaking of organic compost.

The intangible outcomes sought wereas follows:

• increased capacity of women’sgroups in grant planning and management;

• increased skills in building designand construction among thoseconcerned;

• more diversified livelihood activities and opportunitiesthrough the creation of new community businesses;

• an increase in collective efforts indealing with community problemsand in sustaining the impact of itsdevelopment initiatives; and

• a continuous exchange and learning process among communi-ties along Phang Nga Bay coastthrough an inter-village network.

ACT IV I T I ES , ACH IEVEMENTS

AND IMPACT

ACT IV I T I ES AND ACH IEVEMENTS

The project activities were implementedby a group of members of the SavingsGroup committee, all of whom werewomen. Key activities included the following.

Site Selection

A piece of land on the main road of thevillage was selected and bought with theSavings Group’s budget with the consen-sus of its members. The location is suit-able for many reasons: it is in the middleof the community and accessible fromseveral directions; it is near the mainroad, hence good for selling communityproducts; and the price was within theGroup’s capacity to buy.

Building Design

Experience from previous infrastructureprojects indicated that a design that didnot take into account geological condi-tions and the cultural needs of the localcommunities could result in useless products despite the high constructioncosts. For example, houses for tsunami-affected communities built according tourban-style blueprints could not accom-modate the lifestyle of the local peopleand many were left empty. Therefore,the community paid special attention tothe design of the building to ensure thatit would be usable and environmentallyfriendly. A local contractor (also a community member) was engaged to


draw the blueprint under the instructionof the Savings Group. At times, theGroup leaders also went to visit othervillages to study their designs, makecomparisons and identify areas forimprovement in their own design. TheFood Security Project for Phang Nga BayCoastal Communities, the implementingNGO, facilitated this process.

Engagement of Local Builders and Labourers

To create more work in the community,the Savings Group decided to hire com-munity members to construct the build-ing. Some of these people had workedwith construction companies during theboom in the tourism business. Othershad lost their jobs in hotel and tourism-related services after the tsunami.

Procurement of ConstructionMaterials

A procurement committee was set up bythe Savings Group. It was mandated to:consult with the builders to identify typesand specifications of the materials needed; conduct surveys on the prices ofmaterials and prepare price lists for fur-ther comparison and discussion with theSavings Group committee; procure mate-rials according to the mutual agreement;and solve problems relating to their role.

Construction of the Building and Monitoring

The construction was carried out accord-ing to the blueprint. The Savings Groupappointed another committee to monitorthe construction process and minor adjust-ments were made along the way. With the

timely provision of construction materialsand the efficiency of the constructionteam, the building was finished well aheadof the planned schedule.

Peer-to-peer Assistance

Throughout the project, the Phang NgaBay Community Savings Group Networkplayed a supportive role. It often visitedthe construction site, exchanged ideaswith the Thonglarng committee mem-bers and gave advice on technical aspectsof the construction, building more confi-dence among these local women in theirability to carry on this “non-traditional”community work.

Ceremony to Bless the Building

After the building was finished, thewhole community organized a religiousceremony to give it a blessing. The cer-emony was held in the evening; almostevery household assembled in the build-ing and the households prayed together.The official opening ceremony was heldon a different date. It was presided overby the provincial governor, who alsosigned the Thonglarng Declaration forCommunity Mangrove Protection toacknowledge the community’s initiativesin mangrove protection.

The Thonglarng Declaration Signing Ceremony

In conjunction with the official opening ceremony of the building, thecommunity, led by the MangroveProtection and Savings Groups, had pre-pared a declaration to announce to thepublic and other parties its voluntary


commitment to protect and manage theThonglarng community mangrove area

on behalf of all parties (boxes 1 and 2 and fig. 2).

Baan Thonglarng Community Volunteering to Host MangroveRestoration in the Locality

Four o’clock of Tuesday, 29 August 2006, at a stretch of mangrove area in Baan Thonglarng in

Takuathung District, the governor of Phang Nga province, Mr. Winai Buapradit, presided over the

event, “Planting Trees for Rehabilitation of Mangrove of Baan Thonglarng”, hosted by the Baan

Thonglarng community and three of its neighbouring villages. Those participating in the event

included Mr. Supachai Phochanukul, Takauthung District Chief; members of Ao Phang Nga Small-

scale Fishing Network; network members of Saving Groups for Social Development of Ao (Gulf)

Phang Nga; staff members of Phang Nga Provincial Administrative Organisation; staff members of

Lor Yoong Tambon Administrative Organisation; staff members of concerned government agencies

as well as the private sector, approximately 1,000 in number. It was estimated that 6,000 trees were

planted in the event, after which all participants made a collective commitment to protect the

mangrove by endorsing the Baan Thonglarng Declaration.

“It is good to see an increase in the community conservation awareness and their actionto play a key role in managing their immediate natural resources. On behalf of the administration of Phang Nga Province, I would like to express my appreciation to thecommunities and regard this as a good model for other communities to replicate. Theprovince is glad to provide full cooperation and support to the initiatives”, said the governor.

Earlier, community members organised meetings leading to a resolution to launch a reforestation

activity to restore the mangrove in Baan Thonglarng.

A representative of the Baan Thonglarng community, Ms. Phanni Jantarajit, stated the objectives of

the event as follows:

1. To reverse mangrove degradation and increase mangrove area and biological diversity;

2. To raise awareness in communities both near and far away, so that they realize the true value of

the mangrove and participate in the protection;

3. And to support the spirit of the Constitution that encourages community participation in the

management of natural resources and the immediate policy of the governor to protect local

natural resources and environment.

Box 1 Excerpt from a local newspaper on the community’s commitment to protect and manage the community mangrove area.


STRENGTHS AND WEAKNESSES

The project demonstrated the followingstrengths:

• strong leadership, especially theSavings Group committee mem-bers, who have demonstrated theability to work collectively andsystematically;

• the community’s ability to link an infrastructure project withlivelihood, environment and socialdevelopment activities through anintegrated approach; and

• peer-to-peer support and knowledge-sharing through theinter-village network.

The following weakness was identified:

• budget deficiency due to risingprices of construction materials andthe fluctuation of exchange rates.

Figure 2 The villagers proudly present thefully signed Declaration for CommunityMangrove Protection.

This piece of mangrove forest extends to cover 3,203 rai in four communities of Baan Bangchan,

Baan Bakan, Baan Laem-hin, and Baan Thonglarng. It is indispensable for the livelihood of the

Thonglarng village and it neighbours. It is the source of our food and income and just as importantly,

a home to many flora and aqua species of the Phang Nga Bay. It also protects us from natural

disaster such as the tsunami.

Today, the people of Baan Thonglarng who live so near to this important resource volunteer

themselves to host our joint efforts in protecting, rehabilitating, and managing this forest in a

sustainable manner.

The reforestation activity today is the first time ever that all key parties, including the communities

around the Phang Nga Bay, local administrative organisations, local leaders, religious and spiritual

leaders, youth groups, the elderly in the communities as well as government agencies and the

private sector have jointly operationalised our common goal. Together we plant trees and commit

ourselves through the signing of this declaration to protect this mangrove and improve its

bio-diversity, not only for ourselves but for our children and every one on this same planet.

Tuesday, 29 August 2006

At the Mangrove of Baan Thonglarng

Box 2 Baan Thonglarng Declaration.


PRO J E C T P L ANN I NGAND DE S I GN

THE PROCESS

The project adopted a highly participatoryplanning process, led by the SavingsGroup. A series of meeting were con-ducted with household leaders, clusterby cluster, so that everyone could fullyparticipate. The villagers were informedabout the objective of the grant; this wasfollowed by discussions to seek theiropinions on the potential contribution ofthe grant money. It was eventuallyagreed that:

• the grant would be used to con-struct a permanent building thatcould be a centre for the commu-nity’s joint activities in the future.In the past, the community mem-bers had usually gathered in aschool building or a mosque, both of which have restrictedopen hours;

• the project should create morejobs in the community;

• everyone would have access to the building once it had beencompleted but the Savings Groupand the Mangrove ProtectionGroup would be charged with itsdaily management and mainte-nance; and

• the Savings Group would beresponsible for the project becauseit had had previous experience inmanaging community financialmatters. Some of its members also

had experience working in busi-ness and public sectors.

According to the project design, theSavings Group would be responsible forprocuring construction materials whilethe actual construction would be carriedout by local community members withconstruction expertise. Constructionlabourers were also recruited from house-holds in the village as a way to providethem with supplementary income. TheSavings Group was also responsible formonitoring the construction and overallmanagement of the grant money.

REPRESENTAT IVENESS

The project was implemented by theSavings Group, which is a CBO, withactive support from the MangroveProtection Group, another CBO.Representatives of every household werefully consulted during the planning stageand were regularly informed of theprogress of the project. Therefore, theissue of representativeness was adequatelyaddressed.

PLANS FOR SUSTA INAB I L I T Y

It was envisaged that the building wouldbe maintained by the two key CBOs, i.e.,the Thonglarng Savings Group and theThonglarng Mangrove Protection Group,with necessary financial support from theTambon Administrative Organization,which have the mandate for local infra-structure development and environmentalprotection. The implementing NGOwould continue to provide coordinatingsupport to the two groups while special-


ized government agencies and local aca-demic institutes could give technical train-ing to enhance the community’s capacityto carry out its development activities.

EVALUAT ION

The Savings Group was responsible formonitoring the construction. For formalevaluation, the group had to share projectprogress and problems at the meeting ofthe Phang Nga Bay Savings GroupsNetwork, which was held every month.External monitoring was carried out bythe National Steering Committee (fig. 3)and the National Coordinator of theSouth-South Grants Facility in Thailandat least once during the project.

PARTN E R SH I P S

IMPLEMENT ING INST I TUT IONS

The project was implemented by theFood Security Project for Phang Nga BayCoastal Communities, a local NGO thathas been working with communitiesaround the Phang Nga Bay for several

years. It concentrates on three key areas:sustainable environmental management,empowerment of women, and capacity-building in community-based economicinfrastructure (savings).

ROLE OF GOVERNMENT

The Lor Yoong Tambon AdministrativeOrganization, a local government unit,also played an active role in supportingthe community in this project. It provid-ed advice on the building design andapproved its construction. The ChiefDistrict Officer also signed theThonglarng Declaration for CommunityMangrove Protection to endorse thecommunity’s voluntary spirit and actionon mangrove protection. The provincialgovernor presided over the opening cer-emony of the building and jointly signedthe Declaration.

NGO PARTNERSH IPS

Apart from the implementing NGO, afew local NGOs within its network par-ticipated occasionally in the community’sspecial events such as the opening cere-mony, the reforestation activity and thesigning of the declaration on mangroveprotection.

CHA L L ENG E SAND CONS T R A I N T S

Owing to its careful planning processbased on comprehensive discussions withall households and key partners outsidethe community, the project was able to

Figure 3 The National Steering Committeeat the project site.


address multidimensional developmentchallenges faced by the village of BaanThonglarng as follows.

INFRASTRUCTURE AND F INANC ING

Although the Savings Group had beenoperating for several years and hadproved to be effective in helping its mem-bers in many ways, it had never had itsown office for operations. Activities inthe past had been held in the privatehomes of committee members. Being apoor community, the Group could notafford to build its office nor obtain accessto the limited Tambon AdministrativeOrganization budget. The grant project,with an additional top-up from theGroup’s budget, could fill this gap andcreate the community’s sense of owner-ship of the project and the building.

HUMAN CAP ITAL

The project worked more specificallywith the women’s group that was manag-ing the community’s savings. Despitethese women’s proven skill in financialmanagement, which is regarded as a tra-ditional skill of women, their skill in deal-ing with non-traditional work such asbuilding construction was quite limited.Through this project, more womenbecame better at negotiating prices ofconstruction materials and constructioncosts, close monitoring of constructionprogress, and leading the discussion onhow the building could be used to bestserve the needs of various stakeholdergroups in the community. Eventually, thewomen’s leading role in the community

became more visible and their potentialwas fully used to contribute to the devel-opment of the community.

MARKETS AND PRODUCT IVECAPAC IT Y

The Savings Group has a plan to set up acommunity business that will be ownedand managed by the community, usinglocal resources, raw materials and expert-ise. The first business will make organiccompost in a space behind the buildingand a small space has been allocatedthere for the setting up of an organiccompost shop. A corner within the build-ing itself will be opened as a small shop tosell the compost and other communityproducts, such as handicrafts andprocessed seafood (fig. 4).

Figure 4 Shrimp paste and fresh vegetablesfrom the community mangrove area displayedby the Thonglarng Savings Group at a nationalfood fair in Bangkok, August 2007.

ÒI’m so proud of this building. I neverimagined that non-technical womenlike us could do it this well.”

– Sunee, Chairperson,

Baan Thonglarng Savings Group


L E S SON S L EA RN ED

The following key lessons learned haveemerged from the implementation of theproject:

• The key to the success of South-South cooperation is thecommunity empowerment processwhereby the community takes thelead in its own development whileexternal agencies play a facilita-tion role. Such a process enablesthe community to realize its ownpotential, gain more self-confi-dence and draw upon internalexpertise and resources to imple-ment self-sustained developmentactivities;

• The small-grant approach couldcontribute to long-term recoveryfrom the disaster as it puts in placebasic infrastructure and manage-ment skills needed for the communities to address their common problems collectively and effectively;

• The process of the project devel-ops strong ties among communitymembers. The construction of thebuilding served as a springboardfor other collective communityinitiatives; and

• Livelihood and environmental protection must go hand in handand the community’s role in environmental protection is imperative.

REP L I C A B I L I T Y

In addition to the village of Thonglarng,the South-South Grants Facility (SSGF)assisted another eight villages aroundPhang Nga Bay to build multi-purposecommunity buildings, with the sameimplementation arrangements as in BaanThonglarng. There has not yet been aconcrete effort to replicate the projectmodel beyond Phang Nga Bay. However,through local media and the communitynetwork, the idea has been spread amongother communities outside the network.Some communities try to mobilize funds from Tambon AdministrativeOrganizations to replicate the model intheir respective community, but successhas still been limited owing to the short-age of a local budget. Replication of otheractivities and ideas beyond the construc-tion of the building is more feasible.

In all cases, it is important that repli-cation be carried out on a voluntary basisto ensure the genuine commitment of thepeople involved.

FUTUR E P L AN S

Through the Phang Nga Bay CommunitySavings Group Network for SocialDevelopment, the community plans toimplement a joint community businessthrough the development of supplychains and market outlets. The TambonAdministrative Organization also included the community’s proposals in itsannual budget plan, which would help to


sustain the impact initiated under thegrant support.

Future environmental plans includemangrove reforestation, beekeeping inmangrove areas and increasing theamount of wild orchids in mangroveforests (figs. 5 and 6).

P U B L I C AT I O N SA N D R E F E R E N C E S

Unofficial Documents for InternalProject UseMemorandum of Understandingbetween UNOPS and the Food SecurityProject for Phang Nga Bay CoastalCommunities (2005).

Progress Report on the Implementationof SSGF Projects – Phase 1 in Thailand(2006).

Thonglarng Declaration onCommunity’s Mangrove Protection(2006).

The Construction of a Building for theSavings Group of Baan Thonglarng:Project Completion Report (2006).

Field Interviews: Key IntervieweesMs. Ratanaporn Jaengjaidee, ProjectCoordinator, Food Security Project forPhang Nga Bay Coastal Communities.

Ms. Phanni Jantarajit, committee mem-ber, Baan Thonglarng Savings Group.

Ms. Sunee Khomkham, Chairperson,Baan Thonglarng Savings Group.

Mr. Pichet Pandam, Head, FoodSecurity Project for Phang Nga BayCoastal Communities.

Mr. Poonsin Sreesangkom, NationalCoordinator, South-South GrantsFacility, Thailand.

Leaders and members of ThonglarngMangrove Protection Group.

Figure 5 The new building is used as avenue for the training in community forestmanagement.

Figure 6 An enthusiastic villager carefullyties a wild orchid plant on a tree branch inthe community’s mangrove forest.


Contacts:

Case Study Documented by:Ms. Walaitat Worakul E-mail: [email protected]; [email protected]

Project Contact: Ms. Sunee Khomkham, BaanThonglarng Savings Group, Tambon Lor Yoong, Amphur Takuatung,Phang Nga, Thailand