Geo-location community mapping to delineate the value and importance of food security and the cultural landscape in the Bangpakong River Basin, Chachoengsao, Thailand

This study explores how community-driven mapping can reveal ecosystem values and environmental concerns within the Bangpakong River Basin, Thailand, an area facing rapid transformation under the Eastern Economic Corridor (EEC) development project (Announcement of the Special Development Zone Policy Committee, 2019). It is guided by two central research questions: What are the value and importance of the Bangpakong River Basin in providing ecosystem services, particularly regarding cultural landscapes and food security? Additionally, how might EEC-led industrial development impact local communities within the basin? Using a participatory action research (PAR) and granular interaction thinking theory (GITT) approaches and tools such as mind mapping, photovoice, and the ESRI Survey123, this study integrates qualitative, quantitative, and spatial data to capture the lived experiences and priorities of local residents across upstream, midstream, and downstream zones. The key findings of this study indicate that hybrid land-use models that combine rice farming and aquaculture are widely practiced and highly valued as adaptive strategies for food security. Salinity intrusion and industrial runoff were the most cited threats, especially in downstream areas, with statistically significant patterns of concern. Through the application of the ArcGIS web portal, this study highlights how digital platforms can function as boundary objects linking local knowledge with formal planning processes. The results contribute to sustainability policy by suggesting the institutionalization of participatory spatial tools and the recognition of hybrid land-use practices as ecologically resilient alternatives within national development frameworks.