PNP 15 Joins Hands with DPT to Elevate Thailand’s Coastal Management
PNP 15 Joins Hands with DPT to Elevate Thailand’s Coastal Management, Introducing “Area-based Nature-based and Hybrid Solutions” for the First Time in Thailand
On 24 February 2026, at the Department of Public Works and Town & Country Planning(DPT), representatives of The Intermediate Certificate course of Young Leadership in Democratic Governance (Class 15) or PNP 15 , King Prajadhipok’s Institute, led by the Owl Group, met with Mr. Phongnara Yenying, Director-General of the Department of Public Works and Town & Country Planning, to deliver the study findings and policy recommendations entitled “Sustainable Engagement for Adaptive Governance and Unified Action in Resilient Development (SEA GUARD Project).” The Owl Group, PNP 15, is composed of representatives from multiple sectors, including Gun Jompalang Chuay Su Foundation, Prince of Songkla University, Taweesap (Jew Jae Heng) co.,Ltd., Vincent International Co.,Ltd., Airports of Thailand Public Company Limited, and the Royal Thai Army Band Department. The meeting aimed to support future efforts to drive solutions to coastal erosion challenges in Thailand.
Following the discussion, Mr. Phongnara Yenying said the Department welcomed insights and research presented by the younger generation and diverse stakeholders from PNP 15, based on both fieldwork and conclusions drawn from a policy debate. He noted that the information aligns with the Department’s direction to strengthen a sustainable balance between engineering and environmental considerations. He emphasised that the Ministry of Interior’s core mission is to relieve public hardship and promote public well-being, and that in many coastal areas the Department becomes involved after requests are submitted through local administrative organisations.
Looking ahead, he underscored the importance of advancing Hybrid Solutions, integrating engineering structures with nature-based innovations that are appropriate for each locality, and stated that the Department is willing to have further study and incorporate the concept of “Area-based Nature-based and Hybrid Solutions” into future workplans. This would enable flexible coastal protection designs tailored to local contexts, respond to community needs, and minimise impacts on ecosystems as much as possible. He added that the Department will continue working with all sectors to deliver tangible outcomes.
Dr. Sorawit Lim-o-pas Pulsawasd, representative of the Owl Group, PNP 15, stated that the recommendations were developed under close guidance from Assoc. Prof. Dr. Prinya Thaewanarumitkul, the project advisor, and were the outcome of comprehensive data collection across four distinct contexts: Phetchaburi (Chao Samran Beach), Trang (Koh Libong), Surat Thani (Koh Samui), and Bangkok (Bang Khun Thian).
He also highlighted the success of a national environmental policy debate titled “Political Party Policies and Thailand’s Environmental Crisis: Grey Infrastructure or Green Solutions?” held at King Prajadhipok’s Institute on 30 January, which brought together a wide range of stakeholders, including the Beach for Life network, academics from Kasetsart University, and community representatives directly affected by coastal erosion from Prachuap Khiri Khan, Phetchaburi, Samut Prakan, and Bangkok.
Dr. Sorawit noted that in-depth dialogue with all sectors including representatives from five political parties responsible for environmental policy suggested that relying solely on concrete seawalls may no longer be a final answer. Stakeholders broadly supported the push for Area-based Policy Solutions, and the Department’s openness to considering Nature-based Solutions and Hybrid Solutions was described as a meaningful starting point and a new dimension of work that places environmental concerns and people’s voices at the centre.
The debate attracted strong attention from major political parties. Party representatives, including Mr. Plodprasop Suraswadi (Pheu Thai Party), Mr. Varawut Silpa-archa (Bhumjaithai Party), Mr. Satit Wongnongtaey (Democrat Party), Dr.Decharat Sukkamnerd (People’s Party), and Mr. Priyet Angkurakitti (Thai Sang Thai Party), presented approaches that emphasised sustainability. The Owl Group, PNP 15, compiled these perspectives into a white paper and submitted it as a policy proposal to the Department of Public Works and Town & Country Planning to support future coastal erosion management. The initiative aims to help advance public policy that maximises benefits for people, the economy, and Thailand’s coastal resources in a sustainable manner.
ข่าวภาษาไทย / Thai Version
