People affected by Pak Mun initiated a
villager research program, known as Ngan Wijai Thai Baan, to
investigate the effects of opening the dam gates and to empower
communities by promoting local knowledge on resource management. This
report presents the findings of this research.

The Pak Mun Dam was built in 1994 by the Electricity Generating
Authority of Thailand, with financing from the World Bank. After a
decade of resistance by local villagers, the government opened the
gates for one year and commissioned studies, carried out by Ubon
Ratchathani University, on fisheries, social impacts and the impact of
the dam on electricity supply.

Fisheries improving

When the Dam was built, villagers found that 45 fish species indigenous
to the Mun and Mekong rivers remain in the Mun River in Pak Mun area.
Since the opening of the dam gates, villagers found that 156 species of
fish have returned to the Mun River. This includes 148 fish species
indigenous to the Mun and Mekong Rivers, such as the rare and
endangered Mekong Giant Catfish. Most of the fish are migratory. 123
are migratory species that travel from the Mekong River to the Mun to
live, feed and spawn; 25 species primarily live in the Mun River and
are only temporarily migratory.

Physical features of ecosystem recovering

Many physical features of the Mun River were submerged when the dam was
built and have started to recover since the dam gates were opened.
Examples show the community’s knowledge of the complex ecosystem and
intertwined relationship with the river. For example, fishermen perform
ceremonies before each fishing season at clay pools, which are very
productive fishing spots. Humps or islands play an important role in
the food security of villagers. They are used to grow vegetables,
collect naturally-occurring vegetables and herbs and provide spawning
areas for fish. When the dam was built, the diverse ecosystems vanished
along with people’s rights to use natural resources.

Fishing gear returning to use

Fishing gear has considerable significance to local communities. It
does not only have practical use for catching fish, but also reflects
the fishermen’s knowledge of the Mun River ecosystem. Fishing gear
also guarantees that there will be food for the family and the
community, represents the passing down of knowledge to future
generations and is a source of honor and dignity for fishermen.

Fishermen use at least 75 different types of fishing gear. After the
building of the dam, more than 30 types of fishing gear were never
used, particularly in the flooded area. The dam shut out the knowledge
and wisdom that had been collected for many generations and made it
almost obsolete within a few years. Fishing gear was left to
deteriorate. The dam destroyed relationships in the fishing communities
and diminished the honor and dignity of fishermen.

Since the opening of the dam gates, 75 types of fishing gear are now
being used again. The river is once again full of boats. Traps are set
along the length of the river. The fishermen are putting their
knowledge to use. The fertility of the river has returned along the
honor and dignity of the fishermen. Hunger has vanished from the
fishing communities.

Vegetation and riverbank vegetable gardens growing

Vegetation along the Mun River has started to recover over the last
year. Villagers now have access to plants that grow in the rapids,
islands, riverbanks and tributaries of the Mun River. The villager
research team found 342 plant species on the rapids, islands,
riverbanks and tributaries of the Mun River after the dam gates were
opened. These plants are utilized in many ways. 138 species are used as
herbs and food. Some are used for fish food, fishing gear, livestock,
rope, timber, household appliances and for practicing their beliefs.
The villager research team found 56 plant species are growing in the
rapids and the river only.

The opening of the dam gates has restored water levels to their
original levels. Fertile land along the riverbanks and tributaries was
utilized for growing riverbank vegetable gardens during the winter and
summer. Approximately 700 households have recovered their land.
Villagers estimate that this number will keep growing if the dam is
permanently opened.

Positive social and cultural impacts

Many people have benefited from the opening of the dam gates. Villagers
on the riverbanks upstream and downstream from the dam and tributaries
of the Mun River can once again catch fish, cultivate vegetables in
riverbank gardens and collect food plants and herbs on islands,
riverbanks, rapids and tributaries. Water is available for daily use.
The villagers use the rapids and riverbanks to hold ceremonies such as
the Songkran festival and the “Wan Nao”, which has not been
conducted since the closing of the dam gates. Villagers of Baan Kok or
upland communities have returned to fishing along with many other
villagers. Small businesses, tourists and travel-related businesses
have also profited from the opening of the dam gates.

The opening of the dam is changing the social and cultural side of the
communities in a very positive way. The number of conflicts between the
communities along the banks of the Mun River has significantly
decreased compared to when the dam gates were closed. The opening of
the dam gates has stabilized food security needs since villagers can
catch fish and collect vegetables. Produce from riverbank vegetable
gardens has reduced the need for food products from traveling
merchants. Knowledge of the river is being passed from parents to their
children. Opening of the dam gates has also tightened the bond between
the Baan Rim Mun (river-based community) and the Baan Kok (upland and
land-based community), which disappeared when the dam was built.

This research is a confirmation that crises and disputes in managing
the Mun River basin can be turned into opportunities if the power of
managing resources is shared with all people rather than having one
group of people monopolizing this power. The use of fishing gear, in
particular, represents local knowledge and wisdom over the management
of natural resources along the Mun River and has a greater meaning to
the entire nation of Thailand.