Book
Changing features of a rice-growing village in central Thailand: a fixed-point study from 1967 to 1993
Centre for East Asian Cultural Studies for Unesco, • Tokyo • Published In 1995 • Pages:
By: Tomosugi, Takashi.
Abstract
This is a study of economic and social change in a Thai village over a 25-year period. Although foreign capital stimulated this change, Tomosugi argues that pre-existing cultural patterns actually facilitated economic growth and development in the region. These patterns include periodic markets, extensive social networks based on kin and locale, and a shared Buddhist faith. Tomosugi first chronicles agricultural changes from the unique cultivation of floating rice varieties, which made use of the seasonal flooding of the vast Chaophraya basin, to the adaptation of high-yield varieties, which use fertilizers and government-built irrigation works. Tomosugi documents the socioeconomic change through the life histories of village members. He also focuses on the artificial flower-making industry, which has been very profitable for a few entrepreneurs, and is organized as a cottage industry, using mostly female labor. In his conclusion, Tomosugi comments on the importance of Buddhism in providing a basis for shared identity in face of change and also in the change in belief patterns from one in magic and malevolent spirits to one in money and markets.
- HRAF PubDate
- 2000
- Region
- Asia
- Sub Region
- Southeast Asia
- Document Type
- Book
- Evaluation
- Creator Type
- Ethnologist
- Document Rating
- 4: Excellent Secondary Data
- 5: Excellent Primary Data
- Analyst
- Ian Skoggard; 1998
- Field Date
- 1967-1993
- Coverage Date
- 1946-1993
- Coverage Place
- Tonyang village and vicinity, Angthong and Singburi provinces, Thailand
- Notes
- Takashi Tomosugi
- Includes bibliographical references (p. 113-117) and index
- LCCN
- 97131698
- LCSH
- Thais