Housing Renovation After the 2011 Thailand Flood in Ayutthaya

Abstract

This study investigates characteristics of the damage to housing caused by the 2011 Thai flood and explores recovery processes. There are three research objectives. The first objective is to compile financial losses and support for residents affected by the 2011 flood. The second objective is to classify the types of reconstruction that residents chose to renovate their own homes. The third objective is to estimate residents’ capability for coping with future floods. Huntra, a sub district in Ayutthaya province, was chosen as the site for this study. The research results indicate that the disaster recovery budget provided by national government was too small, and was not enough for all of the reconstruction that the affected residents needed. Renovation that offers better protection against floods is classified into two groups. Type A is called elevated houses, in which the used spaces are elevated higher than before flood. Type B is called extended houses, in which the used spaces that are considered safe in a disaster are extended. Most residents could not afford this type of renovation. However, so far the most widely used option is painting the house in order to erase the watermark from the flood. In the three years since the flood occurred, residents have gained a greater awareness of flood evacuation; however, only a small number of residents decided to reconstruct their house using measures for flood protection. Flood relief policy that focuses on providing money for the affected homeowners has therefore not been successful. Our study suggests that the government should establish more systematic support, such as provision of construction materials or craftsmen/labor to communities or residents.