July 2012

Disaster Broadcasts and International Cooperation
[ Part I ] Thailand Flood 2011

Mixed Disaster Information from the Government and the Roles of Broadcasters

Takanobu Tanaka

The Great East Japan Earthquake triggered attention to Japan’s disaster broadcasts again. Asian countries that are prone to natural disasters have been constructing disaster prevention schemes over the recent years, and there is a raised expectation for broadcasters’ taking initiative in the process. Against this backdrop, the author discusses disaster broadcasts and international cooperation in this three-part series.

The first part of the series features the massive flood in Thailand in 2011. The severe flooding that occurred along the Chao Phraya River, Thailand, from August to December 2011 caused inundation damage to a wide area, not only to farmland but also to industrial complexes where many Japanese firms operate and Bangkok and other cities. More than 800 people lost their lives. It is pointed out that the factors for the expanded damage include, in addition to the record amount of precipitation, various issues such as mixed disaster information from the government and the development of industrial parks without paying much attention to disaster prevention. Among them, the accusation against the government that they failed to provide the local residents with disaster information in a proper manner is a matter which should immediately be improved in preparation for the next natural disaster.

Then, how did Thai broadcasters provide disaster information amidst the confusing government disaster information? The author visited NBT, the National Broadcasting Services of Thailand, and Thai PBS, the Thai Public Broadcasting Service, in February 2012 for interviews with persons in charge. In this issue, the author reports the roles played by the broadcasters during the unprecedented flood crisis and examines the reality of the Thai disaster prevention system and challenges facing it in order to consider what types of international cooperation is needed for the future.

The NHK Monthly Report on Broadcast Research