“Jakrapob” proposes extracting lessons from the “Nan Model–Nepal–Tibet” to create a disaster response manual and develop an early warning database to address Climate Change challenges in Thailand and the region, focusing on flood management and preparedness.
On 28 Aug 2026 GMT+7, Jakrapob Penkhae, a party-list member of parliament for the Pheu Thai Party, spoke at the House of Representatives about the major flood disaster in Nan province. He highlighted the damage to lives, property, and livelihoods, expressed condolences to those affected, and urged all parties not to let the event fade away with the news cycle.
Jakrapob stated that although any significant event commands attention, public interest often shifts to new issues within two to three weeks. Meanwhile, disaster recovery tasks remain extensive and longer-term than rescue efforts, as restoring people's lives and the economy to normal takes much more time after the immediate crisis.
He proposed that Thailand view the Nan flood issue beyond domestic disaster management by linking it with severe disasters in Nepal and China’s Tibet region. These events caused losses to local residents and tourists and reflect new risk patterns related to climate change, especially flash floods from glacier lake dam breaks that suddenly release massive water volumes downstream.
Jakrapob believes lessons from Nan province could be shared with other countries, while Thailand can also learn from incidents in Nepal and Tibet, fostering mutual knowledge exchange to improve disaster resilience.
“Our Nan model can serve as a lesson for Nepal and Tibet, and the events occurring there also provide valuable lessons for Nan province and Thailand,” Jakrapob said. Jakrapob added this perspective to underscore regional cooperation in disaster management.
He suggested relevant agencies consider organizing international data exchange forums after the immediate Nan crisis subsides. These need not be large conferences but should focus on practical knowledge sharing in three key areas: disaster facts and data, rescue and recovery, and development of early warning signal tracking and alert systems. He recommended using Thai diplomatic mechanisms, such as Thai embassies in Kathmandu and New Delhi, as channels to coordinate information and expertise with concerned countries.
Jakrapob cited foreign disaster cases demonstrating that when disasters are sudden and severe, local officials may themselves become victims and unable to assist the public. This necessitates mobilizing forces from other areas. Thailand should incorporate such lessons by establishing systems for resource distribution, reserve units, and contingency plans if local agencies cannot perform their duties.
He emphasized that having only an early warning system is insufficient without a foundational database capable of detecting anomalies and assessing risks in advance. Thailand should study indicators or warning signals that precede various disaster types and integrate this data into alert systems to provide timely warnings for evacuation or preparation.
“We do not want to cause undue fear, but this will not be the first or last such event,” Jakrapob said. He proposed compiling lessons learned from each disaster into manuals and knowledge bases that can be practically applied, instead of relearning from scratch after every incident.
In conclusion, Jakrapob stressed that climate change is no longer a distant issue but a current and recurring situation. Without learning from domestic and international experiences, Thailand cannot build a complete response system. Importantly, the impact of Climate Change extends beyond natural disaster losses to become an “economic hazard,” as after floodwaters recede, people face income loss and must rebuild agriculture, industry, infrastructure, production systems, and local economies.