LocationsPattani Bay Communities Launch the First Community Climate Charter in Thailand’s Southernmost Provinces
June 26, 2026
Pattani, Thailand – 30 June 2026 – Communities in Pattani Bay became the first in Thailand’s southern border provinces to take charge of the local climate action today by signing the new Laem Pho District Community Charter, which has the potential to direct partners towards climate adaptation investments worth THB 82.5 million (USD 2.5 million).
Developed by the community, for the community over a two-year period, with support from UNDP’s Climate Finance Network (CFN) initiative and funding from the UK’s Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO), the Charter brings together partner organizations including UNDP, the Pattani Provincial Governor’s Office, the Pattani Provincial Administrative Organization, the Yaring District Office, the Laem Pho Subdistrict Administrative Organization, the Department of Marine and Coastal Resources, the National Health Commission Office, and Prince of Songkla University to sign a shared commitment on strengthening community climate resilience and sustainable livelihood and launch a local climate adaptation plan.
The Laem Pho District Community Charter outlines community-led actions across four priority areas:
- Natural Resource and Fisheries Management, including measures to restore aquatic habitats, regulate fishing practices, and address coastal erosion through nature-based solutions;
- Environment and Climate Change Adaptation, promoting sustainable resource management and strengthening resilience to climate-related risks;
- Tourism and Community Economy, enhancing community-based tourism standards while creating economic opportunities through the leadership of women and young people;
- Society, Health, and Quality of Life, including actions to improve food security for children, promote healthy communities, reduce non-communicable diseases (NCDs), and create smoke-free and drug-free public spaces.
The Charter is today supported and reaffirmed by around 360 representatives from local communities, government agencies, academia, civil society, and development partners, who gathered at Laem Tachi Beach in Pattani Province.
This milestone reflects the mission of the UK-UNDP Climate Finance Network (CFN) Initiative: to help direct public and private investment towards climate priorities identified by communities, and locally led solutions that strengthen climate resilience.
Mark Gooding OBE. British Ambassador to Thailand, said: “The United Kingdom is proud to support UNDP’s Climate Finance Network, which helps ensure that climate finance reaches the communities most affected by climate change. CFN is a significant part of our CARA programme – the UK’s primary vehicle to address a broad swathe of adaptation needs in countries across Asia and the Pacific, from climate finance and weather information to locally led adaptation.
The Laem Pho Subdistrict Charter is a powerful example of communities identifying their own priorities and solutions. By helping governments, the private sector, and development partners invest in these locally led priorities, we can deliver more effective, inclusive, and lasting climate resilience.”
Pattani Bay is home to rich coastal and marine ecosystems that support local livelihoods, food security, and cultural heritage. However, communities in the area are increasingly facing the impacts of climate change, including coastal erosion, sea level rise, and changing weather patterns, which are placing growing pressure on natural resources and livelihoods. Investing in climate resilience is therefore not only essential for protecting ecosystems and livelihoods, but also for strengthening human security, and social cohesion.
Sanan Santimeung, Deputy Governor of Pattani Province
Sanan Santimeung, Deputy Governor of Pattani Province, said: “The development of the Laem Pho Subdistrict Charter marks an important step for coastal communities in Pattani Bay to strengthen self-reliance and manage their natural resources sustainably. The province is committed to supporting the integration of this community framework into Pattani’s broader development agenda.”
Asst. Prof. Dr. Pongthep Suteeravut, Vice President for Administration and Strategy of Prince of Songkla University
Asst. Prof. Dr. Pongthep Suteeravut, Vice President for Administration and Strategy of Prince of Songkla University, emphasized the university’s commitment to supporting community-driven development through academic expertise and knowledge partnerships, helping advance sustainable solutions across economic, social, environmental, and natural resource dimensions.
Dr. Suthep Phetmak, Secretary-General of the National Health Commission Office
Dr. Suthep Phetmak, Secretary-General of the National Health Commission Office, said: “A local health charter is a policy tool that reflects the collective power of communities. The National Health Commission Office remains committed to supporting this process as part of Thailand’s broader health policy framework.”
Niamh Collier-Smith, UNDP Resident Representative in Thailand
Niamh Collier-Smith, UNDP Resident Representative in Thailand congratulated the communities and partners involved, stating: “The experience in Pattani demonstrates that climate resilience is most effective when investment responds to priorities identified by communities themselves. The Climate Finance Network shows how local knowledge, community leadership, and partnerships can help guide resources towards solutions that strengthen resilience, protect livelihoods, and deliver lasting impact. We hope this model can inspire similar approaches across Thailand.”
The journey behind these efforts is also captured through Mother's Dream, a documentary produced under the CFN initiative. Through the story of Kana, a mother living in Pattani Bay, the film explores the realities of climate change at the community level and its impact on women, and the determination of local people to build a more resilient future for the next generation.
As Thailand works to accelerate progress towards the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and strengthen resilience to climate change, mobilising investment remains a critical challenge. According to the World Bank’s Country Climate and Development Report, Thailand will require approximately USD 219 billion in climate-related investment over the next 25 years, including around USD 115 billion for climate adaptation. The need for investment is also evident across different sectors. For example, a UNDP Investment and Financial Flows (I&FF) assessment estimated that an additional THB 13–14 billion is needed to strengthen the climate resilience of Thailand’s transport infrastructure. Initiatives such as the Climate Finance Network (CFN) help address these challenges by directing finance towards locally identified priorities and solutions, ensuring that investments generate lasting benefits for communities, climate resilience, and sustainable development.
Laem Pho Climate Community Charter
Read more about Climate Finance Network Initiative
Watch Mother’s Dream Documentary
Join us:
Dadanee Vuthipadadorn, Senior Economist, UNDP Thailand dadanee.vuthipadadorn@undp.org
Anuk Serechetapongse, Development Economist, UNDP Thailand anuk.serechetapongse@undp.org
Karnklon Raktham, Head of Strategic Communications and Engagement, UNDP Thailand karnklon.raktham@undp.org
About UNDP: UNDP is the leading United Nations organisation fighting to end the injustice of poverty, inequality and climate change. Working with our broad network of experts and partners in 170 countries, we help nations to build integrated, lasting solutions for people and the planet. Learn more at undp.org or follow at @UNDP.
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