Health and Environmental Risk Communication in Thailand: An Analysis of Agency Staff’ Perspectives on Risk Communication With External Stakeholders

Authors

  • Seth Tuler Social and Environmental Research Institute, Inc.
  • Uma Langkulsen Thammasat University
  • Caron Chess Rutgers University
  • Nuntavarn Vichit-Vadakan Thammasat University

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.14764/10.ASEAS-5.1-4

Keywords:

Risk Management, Health Communication, Organisational Studies, Q Method, Thailand

Abstract

Health and environmental agencies are routinely called upon to provide risk-related information to the public-at-large and to more narrowly defi ned audiences, such as children, pregnant women, or labourers. While a large body of guidance is available, it is often general and transferability to new contexts is not well understood. In particular, the relevance of this guidance for South-East Asia is not clear. This paper reports the results of a study, using Q method, that aimed to develop a better understanding of offi cers’ and staff ’s perspectives on health and environmental risk communication within a single regulatory agency in Thailand, the Pollution Control Department. The results demonstrate that there are multiple perspectives, and they are unrelated to roles or experience. This study contributes to a deeper understanding of the ways that offi cers and staff within a national agency with important responsibilities for health and environmental risk communication in Thailand think about these responsibilities and how to achieve them.

Author Biographies

Seth Tuler, Social and Environmental Research Institute, Inc.

Seth Tuler is research fellow at the Social and Environmental Research Institute, Inc., Greenfield, MA, USA. Contact: SPTuler@seri-us.or

Uma Langkulsen, Thammasat University

Uma Langkulsen is researcher at the Faculty of Public Health, Thammasat University, Thailand.

Caron Chess, Rutgers University

Caron Chess is professor at the Department of Human Ecology, Rutgers University, New Brunswick, NJ, USA.

Nuntavarn Vichit-Vadakan, Thammasat University

Nuntavarn Vichit-Vadakan is associated professor at the Faculty of Public Health, Thammasat University, Thailand.

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Published

2012-07-24

Issue

Vol. 5 No. 1 (2012): Health

Section

Current Research on Southeast Asia

License

Copyright (c) 2015 SEAS – the Society of South-East Asian Studies

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