Thai Social Science Journal

The context of natural disasters in Thailand: Flood management in Songkhla and lessons learned from state-community preparedness systems.

Santi Phiamueang — 2026-06-30

This article aims to analyze flood management in Songkhla Province from a state–community perspective and to draw policy lessons for other flood-prone areas in Thailand. The study employs the frameworks of disaster risk reduction (DRR), multi-level governance, and community social capital. Qualitative data were collected from government reports, academic literature, and case studies within the local context.Findings indicate that flood management in Songkhla exhibits a hybrid approach combining central government interventions and community participation. While the state emphasizes infrastructure and early-warning systems, integration with local knowledge remains limited. Strong communities effectively manage floods at the local level by leveraging social capital, volunteer networks, and collective knowledge, yet they face constraints regarding resources and internal inequalities. Key lessons suggest that co-governance mechanisms between state and community, accessible communication channels, and support for social capital can enhance the sustainability and resilience of flood management systems. The article provides policy recommendations for strengthening adaptive capacity and reducing structural vulnerability in future disaster management.

Energy Crisis and Energy Conservation Measures of the Thai Government: A Policy Analysis to Strengthen National Energy Security

Nattachai Bunpum — 2026-06-30

This article aims to analyze the global energy crisis and its impact on Thailand, examine the Thai government's energy-saving measures, and propose policy recommendations to strengthen national energy security. The study employs document analysis and policy analysis based on reports from government agencies, international organizations, and recent developments in the global energy market. The findings indicate that the global energy crisis in 2026 has been driven by multiple factors, including geopolitical tensions in the Middle East—particularly conflicts involving Iran—volatility in global energy markets, and imbalances between energy supply and demand. These factors have led to significant increases in global oil and natural gas prices, placing considerable pressure on countries that rely heavily on imported energy resources. Thailand’s energy structure remains largely dependent on fossil fuels and imported energy, particularly crude oil and liquefied natural gas (LNG). This dependence makes the country vulnerable to fluctuations in global energy markets. In response, the Thai government has implemented several energy-saving measures, including reducing energy consumption in government agencies, promoting work-from-home arrangements, improving energy management in public buildings, diversifying energy import sources, and promoting alternative energy such as biofuels and renewable energy. However, addressing the energy crisis in the long term requires structural adjustments in national energy policy. This study proposes key policy recommendations, including diversifying energy sources to reduce dependence on imports, increasing the share of renewable energy in the national energy mix, and improving energy efficiency across all sectors. These strategies are expected to enhance Thailand’s energy security and reduce vulnerability to global energy market volatility in the future.

Selective Moralism and Multipolar Legitimacy: A Behavioural Political Economy of Trust, Sovereignty, and Security Beyond the Western-Led Liberal Order

Federico Verri — 2026-06-30

This article theorizes contestation over international order in behavioural political economy terms of trust, sovereignty, security, and moral legitimacy in a multipolar age. Unlike Western Realists or Offshore Balancers who interpret challenges to international order as outright rejection of international norms by non-Western states, this article posits that non-Western states are contesting perceived Western hypocrisy in the selective enforcement of purportedly universal moral norms by liberal powers. The article advances conceptual synthesis and literature critique of research on legitimacy and trust, international norms and culture, liberal international order, Global International Relations scholarship and multipolarity. Conceptually, the article approaches legitimacy as a behavioural and relational asset predicated on perceptions of consistency, procedural fairness, restraint and reciprocity in scrutiny. Findings: The article conceptualizes the Behavioural Legitimacy Contestation Model. The model dynamically connects perceived moral inconsistency with trust erosion, legitimacy contestation, sovereignty alternative claiming and multipolar security narratives. The model also suggests why sovereignty, non-intervention, civilizational independence and security appeals can still garner constituencies even when the states championing those causes may themselves be morally contestable. This article argues that the crisis of Western-led liberal order is not only a crisis of power transition or institutional sclerosis; it is also crisis of moral credibility. For Asian middle powers and societies, the behavioural implication is that the solution is not to replace one monopoly of moral claim with another, but to hold all claims of power to the same criteria of consistency, restraint, accountability and social consequence. The argument has practical relevance for regional social science and policy analysis.

Political Uncertainty and Its Impact on Economic Confidence in Thailand: An Analysis of the Political Situation, 2025–2026

Lada Malaikul — 2026-06-30

This article aims to analyze the relationship between political uncertainty and economic confidence in Thailand, focusing on the political dynamics during 2025–2026. During this period, Thailand experienced significant political fluctuations arising from political competition, conflicts among political parties, and the influential role of independent institutions and the Constitutional Court in supervising and balancing state power. The findings indicate that political uncertainty affects the economy through several channels, including declining investor confidence, delays in private investment, volatility in financial markets, and uncertainty regarding economic policy directions. Moreover, conflicts within coalition governments and political disputes can lead to delays or inconsistencies in economic policy implementation, thereby undermining the government's capacity to promote long-term economic development. Comparative analysis with other Asian economies such as South Korea, Indonesia, and Taiwan demonstrates that although these countries experience intense political competition, strong political institutions and consistent economic policies help maintain economic confidence and stability. The article argues that strengthening Thailand’s economic stability requires parallel efforts to improve political institutions and ensure policy stability. Key policy recommendations include establishing long-term economic policy frameworks, reducing institutional conflicts within the political system, and enhancing transparency in government policymaking. These measures can help reduce policy uncertainty and strengthen investor confidence, which are essential factors for sustaining economic development in the long run.