Strategies of Successful Anti-Dam-Movements: Evidence from Myanmar and Thailand

Scholars rarely examine anti-dam-movements that result in project suspensions or cancellations since these cases are extremely rare empirically. Yet these movements are central to understand how anti-dam-movements can succeed.... [ view full abstract ]

Scholars rarely examine anti-dam-movements that result in project suspensions or cancellations since these cases are extremely rare empirically. Yet these movements are central to understand 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 achieving suspension over five years and 36 years, respectively. The research is based on 60 semi-structured interviews carried out over a period of eight months (mostly with the various constituents of the respective movements). Leveraging thinking both from the constructionist and structural school 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, spiritual activities) was decisive for the anti-Kaeng Suea Ten movement’s efficacy. Insights from this research can help anti-dam-movements around the world to enhance their chances of success.

Keywords: Social movements; protests; large dams; Myanmar; Thailand