Strategies of Successful Anti-Dam Movements: Evidence from Myanmar and Thailand |
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| Authors: | Julian Kirchherr |
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| Institution: | 1. Faculty of Geosciences, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands;2. School of Geography and the Environment, Centre for Environment, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK |
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| Abstract: | Scholars are rarely able to examine anti-dam movements that result in project suspensions or cancellations since these cases are rare empirically. Yet, they are central to understanding how anti-dam movements can succeed. This paper analyzes the movements against Myanmar’s Myitsone Dam and Thailand’s Kaeng Suea Ten Dam. Likely the most successful anti-dam movements in Southeast Asia in recent years, they achieved suspension over 6 and 37 years, respectively. The research is based on 60 semistructured interviews carried out over a period of 8 months. Leveraging thinking from both the constructionist and structural schools within the field of social movement studies, it is found that the framing of the Myitsone Dam as a project threatening the national cultural heritage of Myanmar (in combination with political change in the country in 2010/2011) largely explains the movement’s success. Meanwhile, the set of sophisticated tactics (including inter alia demonstrations, Thai Baan research, 24/7 monitoring of the dam site, and spiritual activities) was decisive for the efficacy of the movement against Thailand’s Kaeng Suea Ten Dam. |
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| Keywords: | Anti-dam movements issue framing Kaeng Suea Ten Dam large dams Myanmar Myitsone Dam political opportunity structures protests social movements Thailand |
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