Coastal erosion through integrated management: A case of Southern Thailand

This study presents how Thailand applied an integrated approach to tackle erosion problems by using a case study in Nakorn Si Thammarat province. Communities along 36 km of coastline suffered from continual erosion. Community members believed the erosion was a natural phenomenon that was intensified by human actions. Historical erosion rate estimated by overlaying aerial photographs was about 5 m per year, while LITPROF simulations suggested that approximately 5 m of beach dune would be eroded by storm waves. Stakeholders were identified based on power and legitimacy criteria. Their past attempts to mitigate the erosion were analyzed. Conflicts arose from how they selected erosion protection methods. Lessons learnt from previous management failures taught that addressing needs of the stakeholders and consulting them throughout the design process were of importance. Finally, a combination of detached nearshore breakwaters and beach nourishment was the selected protection measure and was welcome by the communities.