Living River Association

About Living River Association

Living River Association (LRA) — Formerly South East Asia Rivers Network (SEARIN)

VISION OF LIVING RIVER ASSOCIATION

“Local communities play a crucial role in sustaining the ecological balance of river systems.”

HISTORY & ROOTS

Our Origin and Journey

Living River Association (LRA) was originally founded as the South East Asia Rivers Network, widely known as “SEARIN”, on March 14, 1999 — coinciding with the International Day of Action for Rivers.

The organization was registered as a certified public benefit organization under Thailand's Ministry of Social Development and Human Security on 8 February 2011 (Reg. No. 2487), and formally incorporated as an Association on 21 December 2012 (Reg. No. 20/2555).

Founded by grassroots activists, researchers, and NGO workers with extensive experience in social and environmental justice, the association emerged in response to the severe ecological and social impacts of large dams and transboundary water diversions across the Mekong and Salween basins. LRA works directly with riverside and indigenous communities whose ways of life depend on freshwater ecosystems.

14 March 1999

Foundation as SEARIN

Founded on the International Day of Action for Rivers to defend river basins, freshwater biodiversity, and community customary rights.

8 February 2011

Public Benefit Certification

Certified as Public Benefit Organization No. 2487 under the Ministry of Social Development and Human Security.

21 December 2012

Living River Association

Formally incorporated as Living River Association (Registration No. 20/2555) to expand transboundary advocacy and research.

OUR STRATEGY

Mission & Strategic Approaches

Empowering local river communities through evidence-based research, participatory governance, and regional solidarity.

Thai Baan Research & Knowledge Sovereignty

Supporting local communities to document, analyze, and synthesize their own ecological knowledge on fish species, seasonal wetlands, and customary water management, asserting their voice in environmental governance.

Community Fisheries & River Governance

Strengthening community fish conservation zones, local fisheries rules, and sustainable watershed protection to ensure food sovereignty and resilient ecological habitats.

Transboundary Solidarity & Dam Monitoring

Monitoring transboundary hydropower developments and water diversions in the Mekong and Salween basins, fostering cross-border civil society alliances and holding decision-makers accountable.

GOVERNANCE & LEADERSHIP