Chula Hosts “NAN Forum” to Unite Stakeholders from Upstream to Downstream in Restoring Nan Forests, Turning Crisis into Opportunity for Sustainable Disaster Resilience 

Chulalongkorn University’s Disaster Solution Network (Chula DSN) held “NAN Forum” on September 11, 2025, at Chula Naruemit House to build a systematic support network creating collaboration during a crisis, uniting forces from upstream-midstream-downstream. Assoc. Prof. Dr. Siridej Sujiva, Chulalongkorn University Vice President, gave a speech on the project’s primary purposes and participated in the forum.  

Chula Disaster Support Network (Chula DSN) is a network established by Chulalongkorn University that operates through the Chula Digital War Room, which collects and analyzes early warning data, makes forecasts, and accurately identifies at-risk areas. It also coordinates with volunteer networks in affected areas. Most recently, it has aided people affected by flooding in Nan Province in northern Thailand, serving as a hub for information and coordination in disaster response—from advance warnings, forecasting, and evacuation planning to providing emergency assistance. The network uses technology and analytical expertise to identify suitable locations for establishing evacuation centers. 

The “NAN Forum” event featured a discussion platform for exchanging ideas among practitioners, including sediment retention agriculture developers, smart water management specialists, food supply network builders, resource mobilization coordinators, disaster data analysts, and crisis communicators. New forest restoration models were also launched, such as Solar Pump Forest Restoration Coffee (Phu Talay Araya Volunteer), drinking water for self-reliance during crises (Ban Khun Nam Hok), and pure water from the Sri Nan headwater forests to help restore Nan’s forests. 

Additionally, a Nan Forest Restoration forum was held to discuss past lessons and new models for solving Nan forest problems, and a seminar on flooding in the northern region, which brought together volunteers to address flood problems and exchange information with experts in various fields including Assoc. Prof. Dr. Siridej Sujiva, Chulalongkorn University Vice President, Ms. Kul Panyawong, Mr. Chailuang Ditsathabamrung, a Nan volunteer and co-founder of the Nan Provincial Disaster Prevention and Mitigation Office, Mr. Anek Saensong, a Hmong farmer who owns sediment retention agriculture plots, and Mr. Narongrit Boonnak from Phu Talay Araya Volunteer. On this occasion, the Chula DSN invited upstream ethnic groups to set up booths selling agricultural produce and various products to the Chulalongkorn community. The atmosphere  was lively and vibrant. 

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Siridej Sujiva, Chulalongkorn University Vice President, said the main objective of the “NAN Forum” was to exchange experiences and lessons from the Nan Forest Restoration Project that has been implemented for one year, and showcase the work of farmer networks and partners who have collaborated in restoring headwater forests. This was a collective lesson-learning exercise in disaster management, with Nan serving as an example of disaster management that is not just about relief but addressing the root causes of disasters to reduce impact, severity, and damage sustainably. Chulalongkorn University’s role in the Chula DSN is to serve as the central coordinator with network partners, providing academic and data support to solve problems in the area as sustainably as possible. Chulalongkorn University expects the Nan Forest Restoration Project to help reduce disaster damage, restore headwater forests, create economic and environmental security in the area, and serve as a model for disaster management at the national level. 

“Nan Province is an area with special characteristics in terms of settlement patterns, ranging from urban communities in lowland areas vulnerable to flooding, foothill areas vulnerable to landslides, and high mountain communities at great risk of various disasters. Therefore, the Digital War Room will shift its mission from warning when storms are approaching to identifying which areas are not vulnerable for communities to settle in, which is called Safe Settlement, meaning to live in areas that are safe from the start,” said Assoc. Prof. Dr. Siridej.  

Prof. Dr. Santi Pailoplee, lecturer at the Department of Geology, Faculty of Science, Chulalongkorn University, one of the members in the working team in the Chula Disaster Support Network explained that the knowledge used in analyzing risk areas comprises 3 main disciplines. The first is geography, which helps us know which part of the world a village is located in. The second is geology, which describes terrain characteristics; for example, floodplain areas will not experience strong water currents but will face riverbank overflow problems, while headwater areas will have strong and fast-flowing water. The final part is Geographic Information Systems or GIS, which helps facilitate communication with the public. Therefore, using modern technology to analyze risks helps create accurate risk maps. When villagers understand this data, they will comprehend the necessity of relocating from hazardous areas. 

 Ms. Ab-ampai Ratnabhanu, lecturer at the Social Entrepreneurship Office, Arsom Silp Institute of the Arts, stated that the Nan Forest Restoration Project views the area as a watershed, which consists of 3 provinces: Nan, Uttaradit, and Phrae. Since Nan contains 40% of the Chao Phraya River’s water volume, it is a critical area for water supply to downstream areas all the way to Bangkok. After 1 year of implementation of the Chula DSN project, the region presents an opportunity to exchange experiences and lessons learned together. When upstream communities shifted their agricultural practices from monoculture crops to sediment and water retention agriculture, they successfully yielded various produce. However, success only occurs when there is collaboration among multiple stakeholders, enabling real problem-solving and forest restoration in Nan. This results in increased local economic income and creates positive impacts on society and the environment. 

Ms. Uamporn Loypradit from the Arsom Silp Institute of the Arts revealed that the success comes from strong and sustainable collaboration among partners from the government sector, civil society, and private sector. In the initial phase of work, it was necessary to create a space for dialogue with Hmong ethnic groups who are farmers. The Hmong have a worldwide network, with annual general Hmong meetings to exchange information about what Hmong communities in each country are doing. When the working team was able to reach out and build understanding about the work, success emerged from all network partners joining hands with shared goals.

Mr. Bandit Chimchat, Head of Sri Nan National Park, said that the concept of forest management must shift from previously focusing solely on legal enforcement to allowing communities to coexist appropriately with forests. Therefore, management approaches must work together to first ensure communities have adequate livelihoods and help everyone find happiness in coexisting with forests. When people see direct benefits from forests, cooperation in forest care will emerge. For example, in Ban Khun Nam Hok, which has tens of thousands of rai of forest area with water flowing through the village, the community developed a drinking water business. Once the people recognize that having forests means having water, this has led to collaborative cooperation in forest care. Currently, the project has been expanded to many provinces, with training provided to officials at all levels, from provincial governors, subdistrict heads, village headmen, to villagers—totaling 3,000 people, to create understanding and enable continued implementation until the project becomes successful. 

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