Abstract:
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This research aimed to 1) investigate the conditions and problems of military
logistics for disaster relief operations (flooding) of the Royal Thai Army (RTA), 2) to
examine the factors affecting the success of military logistics for disaster relief
operations (flooding) of RTA, and 3) to develop the military logistics model for
disaster relief operations (flooding) of RTA. The research was based on mixed
method between survey research with a questionnaire as a data collection tool, and
qualitative research with documentary research, in-depth interview, and focus group
discussion as the data collection tools.
The findings could be divided into 5 parts. Firstly, the disaster relief
operations of RTA were divided into 2 types: 1) to follow the order of the
government, and 2) the management initiated by RTA itself. Secondly, all phases of
military logistics for disaster relief operations (flooding) of RTA were interrelated
with the Strategic Response Plan which required Ministry of Defence (MOD) to
function merely as a supporter of Ministry of Interior (MOI). As a consequence,
military logistics for disaster relief operations (flooding) of RTA went the similar way
as MOD Disaster Relief Plan B.E. 2554 (2011). However, when the disaster grows
stronger to level 3 or above, logistics for disaster relief operations (flooding) of RTA
would become more flexible as they would be based on MOD Notification on
Principles, Methods, and Conditions of Assisting Disaster Victims in an Emergency
B.E. 2547 (2004). Thirdly, the problems about military logistics for disaster relief operations (flooding) of RTA in 2011 could be divided into 2 groups: policy problems
and management problems. Fourthly, regarding the factors affecting the success of
logistics for disaster relief operations (flooding) of RTA, it was found that in practice,
there were flaws, problems, or insufficiencies about policy implementation which
could be divided into 6 groups: 1) characteristics of the policy i.e. trial practice and
quality of feedback, 2) objectives of the policy i.e. success indicator of the policy and
accuracy of information, 3) sufficiency of resources i.e. budget, manpower quality
and number, and management, 4) technical or theoretical possibility i.e.
characteristics of the technology, 5) characteristics of the organization implementing
the policy i.e. structure, supervision, and procedure of open communication, and 6)
relationship of the mechanisms in the organization or between organizations
implementing the policy i.e. number of relevant organizations, number of decision
making points, and interference from higher organization. Regarding the factors
affecting the success or failure of logistics in disaster relief operations (flooding) of
RTA in the preparation and reconstruction phases, no flaws, problems, or
insufficiencies were found to significantly affect the policy implementation. Finally,
the military logistics model for disaster relief operations (flooding) of RTA in the
response phase consists of 6 factors: 1) characteristics of the policy i.e. trial practice
in the pilot area and continuous improvement of evaluation system, 2) objectives of
the policy i.e. continuous development of indicator and establishment of effective
communication system, 3) sufficiency of resources i.e. revision of regulations and
policy to meet the actual situation, development of relevant doctrines, and suitable
allocation of equipment, 4) technical or theoretical possibility i.e. development and
application of technology that fits the external environment of the organization, 5)
characteristics of the organization implementing the policy i.e. restructuring the
supervision style to be more flexible and development of formal and informal
relationships with other organizations, and 6) relationship of the mechanisms in the
organization or between organizations implementing the policy i.e. close and
continuous coordination with other agencies, minimization of operation process, and
establishment of correct understandings with other organization. The evaluation
results of the military logistics model for disaster relief operations (flooding) of RTA
showed that the model was suitable, complete, and practical.
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