การรับรู้ความเสี่ยงและการปรับตัวต่อภัยธรรมชาติของครัวเรือนในเขตเทศบาลนครหาดใหญ่ อำเภอหาดใหญ่ จังหวัดสงขลา

Abstract

The purpose of this research is to study the impact, risk perception and adaptation towards natural disaster of people in Hat Yai City, Hat Yai, Songkhla. The quantitative and qualitative research methods were used in this study. Results showed that flood is the main natural disaster that most affects people. The reason is because it is the most frequent and severe disaster that people have experienced. Drought and storm are considered to be the second disaster affecting people since both of them tend to occur more frequently. However, they do not have devastating impacts on people like flood. In terms of people's risk perception towards natural disaster, most of them are well aware of risk caused by flood, especially on its severity, deep impact, property damage and chance of repeated occurrence. In terms of people's adaptation to natural disaster, the study showed that most people in Hat Yai city focus on adaptation for flood since it is the most frequent natural disaster occurring in Hat Yai. People's adaptations can be divided into 4 issues consisting of accommodation, food, cloth, and health and hygiene. Adaptations for accommodation and food are obviously found among people in Hat Yai, People moved their properties to keep in the high place or at the upstairs of their house. Moreover, they left the first-floor empty. Second concem is food since people stored both fresh and dry food in their house. Regarding to cloth, during floods, they wore the comfortable and fit clothes in order to provide them for easy movement when they need to move their belongings. Caps and umbrellas was also prepared and taken before going outside. For health and hygiene, they prepared medicines and garbage bags. When rainy season is coming, they also observe the wind direction and water level in the canal. In conclusion, this study explored the level of risk perception and adaptation towards natural disaster of people living in Hat Yai city areas. Regarding their risk perception and adaptation, it made them have a well preparation and get ready to confront with the future natural disaster. Besides, their risk perception and adaptation can effectively reduce the impacts and damages that might be happened in family, community and city in the future.