Abstract
This paper analyzes the approach and principles that self-reliant farmers in a small- and a large-scale Muang Fai system in northern Thailand used in managing their irrigation systems. With keenness in water resources development, the farmers located their weirs where they could get abundant river flow and built their irrigation systems with an adequate capacity to supply water to all members on a continuous and simultaneous basis. These starting hydraulic conditions bailed them out of recurrent water conflicts that farmers with limited natural endowment and irrigation infrastructure faced. Hence, their attitude toward irrigation management was not geared towards conflict management. Rather, they were more oriented toward the structural approach in bringing about orderly irrigation management. Their participatory management process was composed mainly of a platform for exchanging information on physical conditions, water requirements and farming schedules, a forum for deciding a joint irrigation management plan, and a public commitment to honor the plan. The farmers who had agricultural productivity as their incentives and voluntarily identified themselves as Muang Fai members participated in the cross section of collective activities or functions, directly in the small-scale system, and through village sub-groups in the large-scale system. With close proximity, the small Muang Fai group used irrigation intake widths, which were relatively more precise, as the basis for water and cost distribution and kept straighter working rosters and financial accounts. With economy of scale, the large Muang Fai group used the more sloppy irrigation acreage as the basis for water and cost distribution and faced more risks of dysfunctions in their management process. However, the Muang Fai structural approach achieved an equilibrium because, in devising a harmonious irrigation management at the farm, village, and system levels, the horizontal as well as vertical social interactions between the members, their village irrigation delegates and their Muang Fai managers adhered to the principles that all members shall be equally treated, and all management activities shall be transparent and accountable to the members.
