Vulnerability, social suffering, and subjectivity of flood-affected people

Abstract

This study is qualitative research that implements the Critical Medical Anthropology concept to disclose suffering experiences and subjectivity of floodaffected people in Wang Noi, Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya. The approach used narrative interviews, observation and focus group discussions with ten informants. Visible effects from physical deteriorations are collective suffering experiences. Moreover, invisible sufferings are embedded in everyday life before a flood crisis occurs. The inequality of economic development is a significant factor for geographical transformation. Many have to live in high flood risk exposure areas inevitably. Life becomes vulnerable to hazards from the structural vulnerability. Local people, who are living with low socio-economic status, are incapable of coping with disaster impacts. The consequences of disaster impacts make flood-affected people live in a more difficult condition. Their daily earnings disappear with the flood water. They face the uncertainty of life, emotional instability, and mental trauma that affects their health condition. The individual vulnerability affects the capability of coping. In addition, suffering experiences also derive from discrimination during disaster assistance. The delayed help and unequal aid, which is connected to the patronage system, brings about another form of suffering. The social arrangement caused by capitalist ideology is fundamentally tied to economic value. Therefore, flood protection focuses on industrial zones, but neglects people in the vicinity. It causes multiple forms of flood suffering. The ignorance of both structural and individual vulnerability produce ineffective flood management. The results of the study have come up with significant suggestions that could be applied to minimize both structural vulnerability and individual vulnerability. The flood phenomenon is a social process. The reduction of risk and hazard conditions is the best way to decrease the occurrence of disasters. The social arrangement should realize the social perspective together with the physical perspective. The empowerment of knowledge and implementation of local knowledge should be used in order to increase the capability of coping with floods.