Abstract:
This research aims to study 1) the content creation through new media and new media usage for communication 2) communication process among Thaiflood group and 3) citizen engagement in participatory communication process through Thaiflood group during Thailands worst flooding in 2011. Methodological techniques include 1) content analysis of webpage and Facebook fan page of ThaiFlood and hashtag from Thaiflood Twitter 2) depth-interview with Thaiflood group, volunteers and the flood victims. Findings show that content has been created through, by ranking order, through Twitter (1st), Facebook (2nd) and webpage (3rd). Twittter played an important role in informing and sharing information to other people, while Facebook played an important role in forming interaction among users and providing applications for users. Website, comparatively a larger platform, enables more inputs and can handle data required computing process. Thaiflood group enables linkage between the three channels of new media during the 2011 flooding by 1) being a source of information 2) being a public sphere for accumulating information from citizen 3) being a channel for cooperation among civic groups and 4) being a channel for mobilizing resource to help flood victims. Nearly all communication patterns used by Thaiflood group were 360-degree networked communication strategy. All Information flows horizontally, except an online form which required verification in order to get correct information to effectively help the victims and to ensure health and safety of staffs. In considering the role of new media, overall, all 3 new media played an integral part in creating engaging citizen by providing a communication platform. Moreover, new media is a news distributing platform and provides emotional support when users exchange their flood situation. A comprehensive evaluation shows that Thaiflood group created citizen engagement according to IAP2 frame by reinforcing civil society. New media is both apparatus and communication channel that integrate cooperation and empowerment of citizen, internally within the group and externally among the public.