CWMUNITE’ BEE’ELG‘PfiENT IN
NGRTfiEfiST TEMLANM
:51 DESCRIPHVE STEM OF BABIO
STATED?! 909, SAXGN MKGEN,
AS AN EWCAEOML VEHECLE
FOR $32483

“was {‘ov 9&0 3w!“ a? WI. 0.
iiéiiliiifli‘é STATE {EHWERSETY
zFreciefick .33. Baker
‘ i973

 

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3 1293 10429 6912
7'” ,. Michigan State
University

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w.

This is to certify that the

thesis entitled
COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT IN NORTHEAST
THAILAND: A DESCRIPTIVE STUDY OF I
RADIO STATION 909, SAKON NAKOBN, AS
AN EDUCATIONAL VEHICLE FOR CHANGE

presented by

Frederick J. Baker

has been accepted towards fulfillment
of the requirements for

H.12—degree in JHRRICIILUM

Wm

Major professor

Date 5/31/73

 

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ABSTRACT
COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT IN NORTHEAST THAILAND:
A DESCRIPTIVE STUDY OF RADIO STATION 909,

.saxou NAKOBN, as AN EDUCATIONAL
VEHICLE 1103 ORANGE

by
Frederick J. Baker

e t b1
Stated epecifically, thie etudy ie an attempt
te previde:

An aeeeeenent ef the extent ef community develepnent
in Nertheaat Thailand with particular regard te:

a) Hatienal gevernnent invelveaent
b) Village participatien

0) Change factera
d)~ Infernatien reaeurcee

W

Thie etudy ie a prepeaitienal inrentery ef
the available data gathered threugh eurvey reaearch
teehniquee and eecie-anthrepelegical ebeervatiene.
Field reeearch data includea aux-ariee er lhs inpdepth
intervieue en cennunity develepuent conducted by Eadie
Statien 909, Saken Nakern, Thailand.

tie
In erder te realize the purpeee ef thie study

 

were to
1. Fr

2. I:

3.83

100 H"

11. Te

12. Te

13- Te

Frederick J. Baker

anawere te the fellewing queatiene have been aeught:

1.

2.

3.

10.

11.

12.

13.

Pres what eeurcea de Thaie initially becene inter-
eeted in cenaunity develepnent in Nertheaet Thailand?

Ia life changing aneng theee invelved in theee
preJecte and if ee, hew?

Have ether Thaia in the Nertheaet expreaeed
intereet in the werk that in preaently being
accenpliehed?

Hew acceptable ie the traneitienal life etyle
ef theae engaged in ce-Iunity develeplent?

Whe hae previded leaderehip fer cenaunity
develepaent pregrane in Nertheaet Thailand?

What influence hae the natienal gevernaent
had in theee develep-ent preJecte ebaerved?

What develepaent prejecte are planned fer the
future?

Te what factere can change be attributed?

What kinda ef difficultiee have ariaen in cellu-
nity develepnent werk?

Hew diveree are the develepuent preJecte being
carried eut in Nertheaet Thailand?

Te what extent are prejecte ce-nunicated ae
that ethere light underatand and peaeibly
iapleaent then?

Te what extent ie inferaatien given ae te
reeeurcee available fer intereeted partiea?

Te what extent are Nertheaet villagere invelved
in the eel-unity develepaent preceae?

MW
Generally, the Thai gevernnent previded the eeurce

fer can-unity develepnent innevatiena in Nertheaet

Thailand. Thai villagere, en the ether hand, are inne-

vatera in their ewn right and previded a aizeable pertien

ef the innevative pregrana in the Nertheaet.

 

 

 

 

 

in a prom
(roads, I1
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N‘DQrat 1'

Villager 1

Frederick J. Baker

Reapendente etated that their life etylee were
in a preceee ef change. Overall village develepnent
(reade, welle, health facilitiee) eeemed te acceunt fer
the largeet part ef thie change.

hany celmunity develepment prejecta have led
te areueed intereet aneng ether villagere. By ebeerving
develepment in actien and aeeing the reeulte ef thie
develepment, many have begun their ewn predecta.

Villagere have accepted changee in life etyle
becauee they view them aa beneficial. Life etyle changee
were deemed unacceptable by very few.

Leaderehip fer cemmunity develepnent preJecte
cemea meetly frem diatrict cemmunity develepnent efficiale
but villagere alee lead many ef their ewn activitiee.

The Thai gevernnent ie invelved in meet all the community
develepment werk ebeerved in the Nertheaet. Huch ef

thie auppert ie alee ceabined with village laber. Thia
cembinatien ef euppert and laber has aided the develepnent
preceee.

Village aucceae in cemnunity develepnent hae
led te the acceptance by villagere ef ether develepnent
werk. One eucceeeful predect haa had the tendency te
lead te anether.

There were five main factere eeen te centribute
te change aneng Thai villagere. Infermatien input,
ceeperatien aaeng villagere, gevernnent auppert, individual

villager initiative and media input played relee in the

 

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of commit
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wheels, te
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1n the mug

Frederick J. Baker

change process.

There is tremendous diversity in the kinds
of community development work being experienced. The
maJority of work encountered is affecting the total
community in the form of wells, reads, health facilities,
schools, temples, electricity and bridges. There is
also considerable activity on the individual level.

The majority of respondents explained their
development work in a 'how to do it' fashion. Explanations
in these interviews ranged from how to build reads to
how to organize farm cooperatives.

Many respondents offered themselves as resources
for interested parties. A majority of these were government
officials working in community development areas. Villagers
were also extremely important resources to their community.

Villagers are involved extensively in the development
process. While they receive much government assistance,
in the main, they are providing their own labor force.

Radio Station 909 has provided an important
vehicle for the dissemination of community development
activities in Northeast Thailand. This station.hae
provided villagers with a means of expressing their
opinions on a variety of matters. Thousands of Northeast
villagers communicated with Radio Station 909 concerning
their needs. This input leads one to believe that good
community development programaing could lead to village

betterment due to the popularity of this radio station.

 

 

COKE;

1‘ Dex

0mm

COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT IN NORTHEAST THAILAND:
A DESCRIPTIVE STUDY OF RADIO STATION 909,
SAKON NAKORN, AS AN EDUCATIONAL
VEHICLE FOR CHANGE

By

{\
Frederick Jg‘Baker

A THESIS

Submitted to
Michigan State University
in.partial fulfillment of the requirements
for the degree of

DOCTOR OF PHILOSOPHY
Department of Secondary Education and Curriculum

1973

his d

DEDICATION

This dissertation is affectionately dedicated
to my wife Rosalie and son John

11

It
muledgne
given so gen
me cospleti
is possible
this I u re

The
to the lenbe
91'. Clyde Cl
Dr. 5. Patrii
'“PDOI't and ;
intern pro,

App:
lishn 'h, g:

'f the study

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

It is extremely difficult, through a brief
acknowledgment, to express gratitude to all who have
given so generously of their encouragement and leadership.
The completion of the requirements for an advanced degree
is possible only through the efforts of many people, of
whom I am recognizing only a few.

The author wishes to express his sincere appreciation
to the members of his Doctoral Guidance Committee:

Dr. Clyde Clayconb, Dr. Dale Alan, Dr. Harry Case,

Dr. K. Patrick Bode and Dr. William Force, for the guidance,
support and friendship throughout all phases of the
doctoral program.

Appreciation is also expressed to Dr. Vishwa
Hishra who gave purpose and direction to the early stages
of the study.

Gratitude is also due to the support systems
given over the miles by Dr. Philip Bronley and Dr. Elaine
Haglund.

Special thanks is given my parents for their
confidence in.ne.

Finally, the author wishes to extend the highest
gratitude and appreciation to his wife, Rosalie. Without
her patience, understanding, and encouragement, this study
would not have been carried to completion.

Frederick J. Baker
iii ‘

 

lCflGILRDC
LIST 01' IA
Chapter

I. 1

II. 0

III,

taxon-

TABLE

OF CONTENTS

Page
‘mmms O O O 0 O O O O O O 0 O O O O O O 111
LIST OF TABLES . . . .

Chapter
I;

INTRODUCTION .

Modernization Through hedia And

oooeooooooooo'i

o‘oooooooooiooo 1

Community Dove10pmemt . . .
The Impact of Radio . . . . .
n. N.“ For Rad-1° e o o o
New Perspectives in Radio .
Statement of the Problem .
Significance of the Problem

0

Questions . J

nature of the
Procedure for

Organization of the Thesis :

4

Study. o
Obtaining Data

o‘o ojo o o_,o o o o
o o o o o o o o o o.
o,o o o o;ouooo o ob
o.,o.o o o,o_o‘_.o o o

II; OVERVIEW OF THE THAI PERSONALITY AND CULTURE

III.

IV:

30th:.“ o o

21

O O .— O O O O O O O O O O 21

Thai Personality . . . . . . . . . . ; 28

A HISTORICAL PROFILE or RADIO STATION
909, sums moan, THAILAND . . . . . .

37
ransmmn on AND ANALYSIS or ran DATA . 1+9
Results Related to the Questions : ; :

Question 1.

Question.2:

Question 3:

Question t:

From what sources do Thais
initially become interested
in community dove10pment in
Northeast Thailand? .' . .“ 50
Is life changing among

those involved in.these
projects and if so how? : 53
Have other Thais in the
Herthoast expressed interest
in the work that is presently
being accomplished}. . . 55
Ben acceptable is the
transitional life style

of those engaged in

community development?. . 58

 

iv

BIBLIOGRAPE

v .4

Question 5.

Question 6.

Question 7.

Question 8.
Question 9:

Question 10.

Question 11.

Question 12.

Question 13.

V

Who has provided leadership
for community devo10pment
rograms in.Northoastorn
Thailand? . . . . . . . 61
What influence has the
national government had
in those development projects
observed? . . .. .
What deve10pment projects
are planned for the future? 65
To what factors can change
be attributed? . . 67
What kinds of difficulties
have arisen in community
development nork? . . . J . 69
Row diverse are the
deve10pment projects being
carried out in Northeast
Milan: 0 O O O O O 0 O O 71
To what extent are projects
communicated so that others
might understand and possibly
implement then? .‘ .“~ . . .
To what extent is information
given as to resources available
for interested parties? . . 77
Tb what extent are Northeast
villagers involved in the
community dovelOpment process?

79

SUMMARY AND DISCUSSION . . . . . . . . . . 82

Summary of Findings
Recommendations .

Reflections

82
o o. i o e o. o' ., 86
o o o. o o o e e o o o o o, 87

BIBLIWRAPH! 0 O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O 92

,APPENDIX

oooooioooooooeoieoooo 98

 

an.

3.2
4,1

l.2

1.3
u
1.5

LIST OF TABLES

Table Page

3:1 A Typical Monday Through Friday
Schedule for Broadcast on '909' . . . . 92

3:2 Field Reporting Schedule, December 1968 47

h:l Sources for Innovations in.Comnunity .
DOVOJ-OIIOEU oroo'o‘oloooeoooooi 51

“.2 Breakdown.of Government and Village
InOVOSOI'I ooo'ooooooooooo52

“:3 Types of Life Style Changes . . . . . . 55
not Interest Producing Projects . . . . . . 56

t:5 Acceptability of Transitional Life
Style 0 O. O O O O O~ O O. O. O O O O O O 58

“:6 Leadership Producers . . . . . . . . . 62
AT? Projects Receiving Government Support 6#
has Plans for Future Projects . . ; : i J i 66
#29 Factors Contributing to Change . J i . . 68
#:10 Difficulties Encountered in Dovo10pment 70
till Diversity of Dove10pment Projects . . g 72
#512 Types of “How to do it' Projects . . . 75
#313 Community Development Resource Persons 78

hglh Extent of Village Insolvomont in
GNU, “7.10mut o o o o o o o o 79

 

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CHAPTER I
INTRODUCTION

Throughout the world, millions of people are
changing their ways of thinking, working and living.
The rate of change varies from one area to another.
The most obvious changes are reflected in the material
elements of their world. Their tools, homes, means
of ecmmunication, and organizations are all going through
a process of change. This study is concerned with this
process in relation to community development. It will
begin.by looking at the concept of modernisation through
media and community development. This will be followed
by looking at the impact of radio, the need for radio,
and new perspectives in radio. Ultimately this study
‘will deal with data collected through the vehicle of
a unique radio station in.Northeast Thailand.

, Hodia and C on

Present concepts of modernization have shown
high eorrelations botweon.moasures of economic and
communications growth.1 Rogers defines modernization
as the process by which individuals change from a
traditional way of life to a more complex, technologically

 

1Wilbur Schramm, Mass Media and National Dovelc o
(Stanford: Stanford University Press, 19 , p. 27.

-1

   

 

adva
dove
Lern
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to 1

are
cont
rev<
lill
int:
its
well
can
Offl
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Veg!

bee:

advanced, rapidly changing .1:er of 11:..2 Community

development is one means of achieving this change.
Lerner defines this concept of modernization as '... a
secular trend unilateral in direction from traditional
to participant lifeways."3 Black sees modernization
as the process by which historically evolved institutions
are adapted to rapidly changing functions, permitting
control over one's environment, accompanying the scientific
revolution.“ For the purposes of this study modernization
will be defined as changes that have adaptive and
integrative functions and that inculcate certain modernity
ideals (such as two-crap riee production, road building,
well drilling and other such community development projects
carried out to meet peoples needs).5 These ideals, in
effect, help to transform a traditional system to a
modern one.

Hodernization has too often been equated with
Wostornization. This view is too limiting and inaccurate
because modernization.varios greatly in.defforent environments.

Some feel not all modernization is good since it may

 

zflvorett s. Ragors, WW

(new York: The Free Press of G enooe, 9 , pp. - 1.
3Daniel Lerner Tn: Eggpipg of Tradit§g§g*

figgig§y_(new Torr: The Tree Press 0 G enooe, , p. 26.
“on. Block. W

(New Iork: Harper and Row, 19 , p; .

5V. H. Mishra, I'flass Media Use and.hodernization
in Greater Delhi Bastios,’ gggzggligp_gupz§gzlz, (Summer
1970). val. #7. no. 2. pp. 331-339.

incl
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to c
All:
Gus!
He 1

wet

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Tue:
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3

include pain and conflict in its change process;6 Existing

institutions and values are not necessarily impediments

to change and modernization. Old traditions are not

always displaced by new changes. The modernization

Gusfiold describes does not have to weaken traditions.

He feels the quest for modernity often finds support

in traditionalism. It may be modified but a unified

society makes use of tradition in its search for economic

and political dovelOpmcnt.“7 It may help to strengthen

traditions as society searches for Foster's consensual

base to assme this some economic and political achievement.8

Modernization cannot be measured by a single criterion.

There are variables such as literacy, education, and

political participation to take into consideration.
Scholars feel that media plays a definite role

in the modernization process; It is suggested, for

example, that media plays the role of watchman, policy-

maker and teacher in the change process.9 The watchman

role comes into being when ono's horizion widens and

must be filled with greater amounts of information.

 

6Black, Op.‘ cit. p.‘ 7.

7.1. Gusfield, 'Tradition and Modernity; Misplaced
Polaritios in the Study of Social

Change '
Wotan. 1967. Vol. 72. p. 551.
8George M. Foster 3 , - t nu.-- t A -_ : n;
a: ....I‘.'...“ v '1' an“ i; Us figs-94.; , 0' 01‘: 5 a 1‘
' 30" 19'2 9 Fe 19'o

9mm. 22.411. pp. 42.1.3.

4

The policy-maker role goes into play when decision making
must be spread more widely: The teacher role Operates

when new skills must be learned by all sectors of society.
Schramm and Winfield feel that media can help traditional
societies pass through this change process into participants
in the modern world.10 In dealing with communication

in economic spheres, social spheres, and political spheres,
Rae concludes that communication plays a significant

role in national development and is constant and cmulativo.11
Cooley has suggested that irrespective of the nature

of the environment, mass communications does expand

this environment and aids in problem solving. Media

also promote consensus, social equality and conditions

for ideological growth}2 Wirth even goes as far as
interpreting socially modernizing functions of mass
communications in terms of media holding 'the human
race together."13

In the political realm Pye suggests that communication

 

cloWilburt Schramm and Gerald Winfield. will.

otion of on i
W Pam: UNESCO 19 . Po 3.

11!. v. Lakshamana Bao, ti
;(Minneapo s: University
of Minnesota Press, 19v , p.

12Charles H. Cooley, an Nat t S
m (Now Iork: Charlos Scribner s Sons, 902 , p. 2.

13L. Wirth, 'Consonsus and Mass Communication,‘
American Sociology Rgviow,(Vol. 13, 1968), pp. 1-15.

(1'

perforls 1
find its 1
ilth e poi
lent cons:

can raise

an Intel
with indi'
their stt.
social ch,
Indie,17

Values up
Wt 01‘ so
1‘ ”10 so
“tench
8M "1111
9110 lg, I
1“Ship.

performs the fundamental function of helping society
find its policy.1u Media thus helps provide the nation
iith a political culture. Pool's studies have also
lent considerable support to the contention that media
can raise the political knowledge of the population.15
Finally, in the psychological realm, Smith
and Inkeles: have found that media exposure is linked
with individuals overall modernity as measured through
their attitudes.16 Rees also found motivitation for
social change closely associated with the use of mass
media:17
Cormack has shown.how attitudes, beliefs and
values are formed in the social setting (both in.and
out of schools).18 Mass communications also function
in the social context. Thus media becomes a socially
interacting system with this process of attitude, belief,
and value formation: By letting those variables interact
one may predict modifications in.attitudo. The relat-

ionships among media, modernization and community devolOpment

 

“Lucian H: Pu (eds) W
(Princeton: Princeton vors y ass,
19 3 . ppo‘ 6.7;

152l1thiel de Sela Pool, “The Role of Communication
in the Process of Modernization and Technological

Change '
WM (Paris: UNESCO. 1966). p. 593.
“sum and Inkclos, W p. 353.

l
7Matilda B: Recs, 'thievement Motivation.and
Mass Media Use.‘ (Iowa City: Association for Education in
Journalism Convention, Mimeograph, August, 1966);

18

Margaret L. Cormack, Who do a P
(London: Asia Publishing House, l9gil.

cu boom
this pro
schism 1
min t

innovati.
effectivl
persuade
innovatil
It the A1
hportanl
variable:
could be
dmlow

can.become reciprocal and concomitant. Inherent in

this process is the morality of media manipulation to

achieve desired ends. It is hoped that deve10ping nations

strive to meet the needs of their people as they are articulated.
Ifone wants to meet these needs and diffuse

innovations, mass media channels are the most rapid and

effective means. Rogers states that if one wants to

'persuade peeple to form a favorable attitude towards

innovations then interpersonal channels are nost important

at the auareness state while personal sources are most

important at the adoption.stage.l9 By combining these

variables on a local level one may see how modernization

could be implemented through a process of community
development.

W2
Radio plays a special media role in this

modernization.process. All radio programs seem to
have a certain educational purpose, if only in.the
sense of conveying to isolated listeners in remote
villages a sense of participation. This feeling of
being part of a whole hapefully makes for a better
citizen. Rogers has shown the role of broadcast media
as being especially important to technological change

and.tho diffusion of innovations.20 Since information

 

19Rogers, on; git: p. 120.

2°Everett M. Rogers, "Experiences With Cross
National Research' (Netherlands: Congress of Rural Sociology,
“out. 1968). p. 3:

contributes
the selectic
{no Naniewic:
means of <
1.735530 surve
the uses of
forty count}
a valuable 1
to literacy
having lite:

"338 0f uslt

contributes to and influences the Opinion of peOple,
the selection and presentation of news is according
to Waniewicz, more than any other type of broadcast,

21 A 1971

a means of orienting and educating peOple.
UNESCO survey of the use of broadcasting media lists

the uses of radio in connection with literacy work in

forty countries. It eXplains how broadcasting is making

a valuable and in some cases essential contribution

to literacy campaigns. It recommends that those countries
having literacy problems should explore all possible

ways of using radio. This should be part of an overall

plan to develop new techniques of communication for national
develOpment.22 Broadcasting can serve as an important

agent of social change and action in furthering national
deve10pmcnt. In 1969 the government of Ghana in cooperation
with UNESCO and the government of Canada carried on

a Farm Radio Forum pilot project. This involved transmitting
information and stimulating rural self-help activities

in eighty villages in Ghana. By forming listening groups

of villagers it was found that radio contributed greatly

to inter-village cOOperation,the formation of 000peratives

 

21Ignacy waniewicz, Broadcasting for Adult Education:
A Guidebook to World Wide EXperienceTTUNIPUB, New York,

19725. P. 132

28UNESCO, Radio and TV in Literacy: A Survey of
the Use of BroadcastinggMedia inL Combatting Illiteracy
Among Adults (Paris: Department of Mass Communications,

1971), p. 83.

and the
study 0!
ai-iience
Iith re;
‘Z’nis hei
transfer
has £171
of the l
effecti‘
which at
Refrain
in Nige;
in rela‘
fields r
SPOUps

to pro?

Kamert

8

and the increased awareness of food nutrition}?3 Sitram's
study on the effects of radio upon the rural Indian
audience shows that the general awareness in communities
with radio is higher than in communities without it.2“
This helps to establish radio as a powerful force of
transformation when applied to rural areas. Schramm

has given us an excellent evaluation and description

of the Radio Rural Forum in India.25 He feels radio is
effective because of the content of its broadcasting
which stimulates the peasant to explore new areas.
Lefrance has detailed the success of using radio clubs
in Niger to increase the knowledge base of villagers

in relation to agriculture, health education, and other
fields of interest.26 On any given day one can see
groups of villagers gathered around radios, listening

to programs constructed to meet their educational needs.

Kahnert has also noted the utilization of these listening

 

2'3Helen Abell, Farm Radio Forum: Project Ghana,
(Ontario: Guelph University, Ontario Agriculture College,

July, 1965). P. 179

2"Kondavagil Sitram, 'An Experimental Study of
the Effects of Radio Upon the Rural Indian Audience,’
(Unpublished Ph.D. Dissertation, Oregon University, 1969)

25Nilbur Schramm, Mass Media and National Development:
The R'le of Information in the DevelOping Countries,
Palo Alto: Stanford Universitngress, 196E7, p. 311-37.

ng. Lefrance, New Educational Media in Action:
Case Study for Planners, KParis: UNESCO, Vol. 3, 19677, p. 43.

Schrasm a1

in India ,

I‘
adapt new 1
genuinely 1
“I 01‘ lifi
area, and 1
over 8 Widt
prove to ‘04
to increas¢
reint‘orce 1
EPOUp PT‘OJI
that EI‘Oup:

pr“We dei

\27

9

groups of villagers in Togo for basic educational purposes.27
Schramm and others, after an evaluation of programs
in India, Niger and Togo, conclude:

l‘On the basis of the Indian experience

and the somewhat different radio

forums and clubs in Togo and Niger,

we need have few worries about telling

a deve10ping country that a radio

broadcast.... is an effective way

to carry development information

into a commuaéty and encourage

innovation.”‘

These studies also show that peasants will

adopt new methods of production only when they are
genuinely prepared to make changes in their traditional
way of life. By addressing themselves to the whole
area, and by reaching simultaneously hundreds of villagers
over a widely dispersed area, rural radio broadcasts
prove to be the most efficient form of education designed
to increase production and to improve conditions. To
reinforce this position Ohlinger examined listening
group projects in over thirty countries.29 He found

that groups can spread learning of factual material,

promote development of desired attitudes, increase interest

 

271“ Kahnert, New Educational Media in Action:

Case Study for Planners, (Paris: UNESCO, Vol. 5, 1957,,
P. 11:

28Wilbur Schramm, The New Media: Memo to Educational
Planners, (Paris: UNESCO, 1967), p. 132.

asJ'ohn Ohlinger, The Listening Groups: Mass
Media in Adult Education, (Boston: The Center For the
Study of Liberal Education for Adults, l967),p. 78.

1n pubi
mm.
Burnet'
the prl
deal I
econo-
studen'
role or
progra:
of prm
WPpOM
of the
that 11
°PP0rt1
linco 4

he fee

183,3

lation
"hue
cultur-

°1ear1

mm800.

g
h?
.1

10

in public affairs, affect motivation toward group and
individual action and contribute to more direct democracy.
Burnett has tried to acquaint the general public with

the problems of literacy and the efforts being made to
deal with them; She stresses the need for effective
economic and psychological rewards to motivate literacy
students: She also stresses the need to define the

role of teachers, and to institute large scale instructional
programs through radio. She feels that the preparation
of practical, adult centered literacy materials and
supportive reading matter are major aspects of problems

of the worldwide literacy movement.30 Prosser feels

that in developing countries the need for providing
opportunities for all forms of adult learning is important
since all basic deveIOpment must be associated with
learning; Since the emphasis is now on.subject matter

he feels the way knowledge is arranged and delivered

is as important as the knowledge itself. His African
studies show a relationship between adult education and
national development with radio as a vehicle of communication.31
while asking for cooperation between nations and between

cultural and broadcasting leaders earlier UNESCO studies
clearly show how a demand for knowledge can be met by

i

30
Burn tt ABC' Li :
CO, 196;:f’p; 59? , she I 2; tgnggz, (Paris

31Rey Presser, Adult Education 0 De elo
Countgigg, (Nairobi: East Africa Pu _ishing, 19375.

 

 

 

11
radiO'.‘32

W2

Although there are many successful radio projects
around the world, lack of radio is perceived as a definite
problem in developing cotmtries. Edstroem has called
for more application of radio to correspondence study
in Africa. ‘33 Brown has announced plans for an increased
adult education radio schedule in Zambia?" Inaquai
has called for an extensive radio series for community
education in EthiOpia.35 Uidstrand argues the need
for much greater use of radio for adult education in
Tanzania. ‘36 An E.’B.‘U. international conference on education
dealt with problems of radio broadcasting on five continents.”
It is stressed that media and educational systems be
integrated and that radio be inserted into educational
and government planning. In Thailand, radio is gaining

 

  

BZUNESCO, . _: .~ ~--
(Paris: Reports and Papers on Mass can as cns, No.
23, December 1956).

33liars-«Olof Edstroem, Comegpondence Inltgpgtigp
.1 K-__a T _ a Haawi 2 bis andUm;
u-e nu. Needs and . e ockholm: Report to
e Dag Hanmarskjo d Foundation, 1966), p. 1&3.

3"A. Brown, *2 , - t- ' - ,- a; - -.i
(Lusaka: ~ - udies,
December 1,19 , p. 47.

”Solomon mom, “Application of Radio in
Communication Education In EthiOpia," (Unpublished Ph. D.
Dissertation, 1965).

360.1}.- Hidstrand, Radio and Adglt Eduggtign
in Tanzania: Some Considerations, Par es Salem, University
College, Tanzania, April, 1966), p.‘ 9.’

37E.‘B.‘U.* International Conference on Educational ‘
Radio and TV, (Paris: Office de Radio Diffusion Television, 1967)

 

  

support. An
educational

they Operate
the need for
of developme
of a broader
mi Social C
to undertake
deveIOped cc
In Asia, the
countries 81.
are also the
Pmé’l‘mtts are
t0 Provide 1
encourage it

in3’01‘1'18t10n

‘9
Wh;

approach to

12

support. Anatol38 and Meyers39 felt that Thailand's
educational radio Offers impressive service even though
they Operate with a small staff. They do stress, however,
the need for better dissemination Of information, promotion
Of develOpment trends, literacy programs and the supplying
of a broader educational background. In 1960 the Economic
and Social Council Of the United Nations requested UNESCO
to undertake a survey on the problems of helping under-
deve10ped countries build up their information media.

In Asia, the most pOpulous region Of the world, the
countries suffering most from poverty and illiteracy

are also the poorest in communication facilitiesjw
Programs are needed to develOp radio broadcasting and

to provide low cost radio receivers. Governments should

encourage investment in industries necessary to the

information media.

New Perspectives in Radig
What may be needed most is a completely new

approach to the problem of broadcasting as an instrument

 

38Karl Anatol and John Bittner, “Southeast Asia
Broadcasting: The Emergence of Thailand," (Phoenix: Paper
presented at the International Communication Association
Annual Conference, April 22-24, 1971), p.7.

jaiRichard J. Meyer, “Educational Broadcasting
in Thailand: A Microcosm Of Asia," Educational Broadcasting
Review, February 1971, No. 1, pp. 30-33.

1&0 UNESCO, “DevelOping Mass Media in Asia,"
(Bangkok: NO. 1605-B, January 1960), p. 28.

of educatiOI

‘eneral of

P1
should stri

intimate 3}:
of educatio
or their p e
Village 115
feels this
making r805
Provisions

bmadcas t 11

13

of education. The need was stressed by the Director
General of UNESCO when he stated...

“The ever-changing conditions of our
present civilization, as well as the
unceasing expansion and renewal of
human knowledge, make it mandatory

for every man and woman constantly

to bring up to date whatever he or

she learned earlier in life. Education
therefore becomes less concerned

with the teaching of a static content
which would equip for life one and

all, than with teaching how to learn
and to learn continously. The barriers
between formal school education and
other kinds of education break down

in this new approach: the education
process appears as a continuum from
literacy to higher education.'“w

Planning authorities in developing countries
should strive to use the wide, instantaneous range and
intimate appeal of broadcasting to lift the low levels
of educational productivity and national involvement
of their peOple. In planning for informal education,
village listening clubs should be instituted, UNESCO
feels this to be such a high priority that they advise
making receivers available to village audiences.n2
Provisions should also be made for training in educational
broadcasting and international exchange programs. Deliberate,

systematic use of radio broadcasting for educational

purposes is relatively scarce. In order to meet these

 

g"Q‘UNESCO, "Address of the Director General to

the Conference of Ministers of Education of UNESCO's
Member States in Asia," (Bangkok: November 1965), p. 13.

“ZUNESCO, "Radio and TV in the Service of Education,"

(Paris: Report No. 3.2266, 1967). p. 9.

needs 3155
into the I
on local 1
news and c
should be
listening
if listens
of the sex
the form c
01‘ persons
doing to }
E53118 Cleve
aidressed
V3513 but 11
part in b1
infomatic
has shown

9f mouth 1

14

#3

needs Elgabri and Mishraun propose to build localness
into the broadcasting system. Radio should rely heavily

on local news in order to bring about feedback of local

news and opinion into the media. While great importance
should be attached to the provision of facilities for
listening among rural populations much would be lost

if listeners were not given some incentive to take advantage
of the services provided. These incentives could take

the form of village development, increased literacy,

or personal satisfaction in hearing what peOple are

doing to help themselves. According to Mathur this

means developing countries must have rural programming
addressed to the community.“5 This rural audience is

vast but mainly illiterate. Radio can play an important
part in bringing to these remote communities news,
information, instruction, and entertainment. Ahmed

has shown how news heard by radio is repeated by word

of mouth until the circulation defies all calculations

 

n3Ali Z. Elgabri, "Deve10ping Countries: Progress
Through Broadcasting," Educational/Instructional Broadcasting,
Iv, No. (1971), p. 11.

“94V. M. Mishra, "The Point of Contact Model, "
(East Lansing: Mimeographed, 1969)

#5J. C,- Mathur, "Radio Programming and Programme

Exchange in Southeast Asia, ” Develo Media in
Asia (Paris: UNESCO,1960), p. 83.

5" ‘

based on the
Eros
gurposes. I‘
in power; it
it may be a .
it may only 1
for informat
local in sec
to the overa
be justifiab
all is the r
it is necess
8 country! 3
111 develOpme;
1631 People .
can 1ntl‘oduc
apply thoSe
considered 0:
meals and We
has a Drivil
Frequently i'
and illitera

Kee;

15
based on the percent of owners of sets.“6
Broadcasting may be used for many selective
purposes. It may be the exclusive tool of the government
in power; it may serve political and propaganda services;
it may be a domain for private commercial enterprises;
it may only provide entertainment; it may be an agency
for information and education or it may be entirely
local in scOpe and organization. None of this reaponds
to the overall potential of broadcasting. Each might
be Justifiable in its own right; but overriding them
all is the right of the public to be served. Today
it is necessary to consider broadcasting as a part of
a country's infrastructure. The human factor is crucial
in develOpment. Pr0perly utilized broadcasting can
lead peOple to the recOgnition of the need for change,
can introduce them to new ideas and can help them to
apply those ideas. 'Broadcasting stations should be
considered one of the countrieS' basic facilities like
roads and water. In this educational process radio
has a privileged importance in develOping countries.
Frequently it is the only means of reaching rural areas
and illiterate parts of the pOpulation regularly.
Keeping this clearly in mind, this study seeks

to use a unique radio station in Northeast Thailand to

 

“6Rashid Ahmed, "News Services for Radio in
Southeast Asia," DevelOping Mass Media in Asia (Paris:
UNESCO, 1960) p. 87.

desori

castin

'3! in
Of the
in Nor
the in

local

m

8118“or
file Du

ham

16

describe the community deveIOpment process in.its broad-

casting area;

Wham:
Stated specifically, this study is an attempt

to provide:

An assessment of the extent of community deve10pment
tn Nbrtheast Thailand with particular regard to:

a) National government involvement
b) Village participation
c) Change factors

d) Information resources

WW

An.assessment of this nature could go a long
way in.helping evaluate the extent end.implications
of the educational process regarding community development
in.Ncrtheast Thailand; It may also aid in understanding
the importance of Nbrtheaet develoyment to both the
local Thai villager and the national Thai official;

mm
In order to realize the purpose of this study,

answers to the following questions have been sought.
The purpose of these questions is to provide a general
framework upon which this study is based;

1) From what sources do Thais initially become
interested in.ccmmunity development in.N0rtheast
Thailand?

2) Is life changing among those involved in these

10)

ll)

12)

13)

3)

it)

5)

6)

7)

8)
9)

10)

11)

12)

13)

17

projects and if so how?

Have other Thais in the Northeast eXpressed
interest in the work that is presently being
accomplished?

How acceptable is the transitional life style
of those engaged in community develOpment?
Who has provided leadership for community
deve10pment programs in Northeast Thailand?
What influence has the national government
had in those deve10pment projects observed?
What development projects are planned for the
future?

To what factors can change be attributed?
What kinds of difficulities have arisen in
community develOpment work?

How diverse are the development projects being
carried out in Northeast Thailand?

To what extent are projects communicated so
that others might understand and possibly
implement them?

To what extent is information given as to
resources available for interested parties?
To what extent are Northeast villagers involved

in the community development process?

p
I

bit

the availat
techniques
Field resee
1969. his
interviews
Station 909
interviews
(from gover
these situa
I'nese inter
but in a we
than. If S
to Village
to be made
iIltheip ra
pro-E'Pams,
“<11 with 0

their 01‘121

18

Nature of the Study
This study is a prOpositional inventory of

the available data gathered through survey research
techniques and socio-anthrOpological observations.

Field research was conducted during the years 1967-

1969. This data includes summaries of 145 in-depth
interviews on community development conducted by Radio
Station 909, Sakon Nakorn, Thailand. These were informal
interviews made with both elite and general respondents
(from governors to villagers). It was advisable in
these situations to use an Open-ended interview format.
These interviews were conducted not only for content

but in a way that villagers would enjoy listening to
them. If structured interviews were to be broadcast

to village audiences on a regular basis they would have
to be made especially,interesting. Villagers enjoy humor
inltheir radio and become bored with monotonous news
programs. These interviews were unique in that they

deal with community deve10pment through the eyes of

their originators. Villagers who built their own roads,
for example, were interviewed as to the process involved.
Radio Station 909 h0ped that by broadcasting these interviews
reinforcement for community develOpment projects would

be given along with the possibility of educating others

to construct their own projects.

Procedure for Obtaining Data

1) Two-to-four field trips of two-to-five days

5‘

Orgam
Chapte

19

each were made each month over a period of
two years.

2) All fifteen.proviences in.Northeast Thailand
were covered by Radio Station 909 field reporting
teams. One hundred forty-five interviews were
obtained concerning community develOpment during
this period.

3) These interviews were Openpended descriptions

Of work being carried on by the interviewees.

9zEenlisiisa_2£_§ha_2hasis.
Chapter I. INTRODUCTION
The introduction includes: modernization through
media and community development; the impact of radio;
the need for radio; new perspectives in radio; statement
of the problem; significance of the problem; question
to be answered by the study; nature of the study; procedure
for obtaining data; and organization Of the thesis.

Chapter II. OVERVIEW OF THE THAI PERSONALITY AND CULTURE
The overview provides a background of the peOple

of Thailand and their culture. This is done in order

to facilitate a better understanding of their setting

in relation to educational Radio Station 909, in.Sakon
Rakorn.

Chapter III. A HISTORICAL PROFILE OF RADIO STATION
909, SAKON NAKORN, THAILAND

The historical profile of Radio Station 909

1; give

program
data us

Chapter

in role
study 1
to each
order t
to lake

Chapter

"come
Radio 8

20

1- given with special emphasis on the £1.14 reporting
program that provided the vehicle for collecting the
data used in.this study.

Chapter IV. PRESENTATION AND ANALYSIS OF THE DATA
Presentation and interpretation of the interviews

in relation to questions asked in the purpose Of this

study is given; Interviews are categorized according

to each question and are presented in some detail in

order to clarify and to give the reader an Opportunity

to make interpretations of his own.

Chapter V. SUMMARY AND DISCUSSION

This chapter includes a summary of the findings,
recommendations, and reflections by the author as to
Radio Station 909's possible role in community development.

v-
."~
lam

5:55:21?

many of

Agricult
percent

its live
province
seventy-
relative
Principe

33:6 deg

>14

E

-ailand

A

sporadic

CHAPTER II
OVERVIEW OF THE THAI PERSONALITY AND CULTURE

Setting

Northeastern Thailand has for years contained
many of the country's most underdevelOped provinces.
Agricultural land is the principal resource and ninety
percent of the economically productive pOpulation derives
its livelihood from agriculture. For these fifteen
provinces which comprise the area. (out of a total Of
seventy-one) per-capita production in agriculture is
relatively low.n7 Paucity of natural resources is the
principal reason why the region has not reached the
same degree Of develOpment as have other regions Of
Thailand. The soils are poor in general, rainfall is
sporadic, and possibilities for irrigation are few!"8

While industrial development in Thailand is

making satisfactory progress, the rural pOpulation shares

little in the benefits. During recent years attention

 

“VHans Platenius, The Northeast of Thailand;
Its Problems and Potentialities,(Eangkok: National
Economic DevelOpment Board, 1963), p. 12.

98Robert L. Pendleton and Sarot Montrakum,

The Soil of Thailand: Proceedings of the Ninth Pacific
Science Congress (Bangkok: Chapter 18,1960), p. 15.

21

has been
economic
the bond
effort In
of the p

improve

have a 1
Katural

and gras
stock ra
authorit
0f the 3;
tOtdl la
mineral:
the reg-1
of the c
The Dopu
has I‘iSe
a large

bOPdered

22

has been focused on Northeastern Thailand not only for
economic but also for political reasons. Events beyond
the border have convinced the government that every
effort must be made to assure the political loyalty'
of the peOple, to raise the standard of living and to
improve public services and facilities.“9

The 66,000 square miles of the Northeast region
have a long dry season and relatively scarce rainfall.
Natural vegetation is limited to scrub forests, weeds
and grasses. Poor communications, mixed farming and
stock raising pose a serious challenge to the national
authorities in their economic planning. The provinces
of the Northeast region occupy about one-third Of the
total land area of Thailand. The number Of peOple
enumerated in the 1960 census was nine million. Today
the region has approximately twelve million people out
of the country's total population Of thirty-six million.
The pOpulation growth rate for the peOple of the region
has risen to 3.3 percent.50 This region is essentially
a large basin tilted toward the Mekong River. It is

bordered on the south by the Phenom Dongrak Mountain

 

99Donald E. Nuechterlien, Thailand and the
Stru 1e for Southeast Asia (New York: Cornell University
Press, 1965), p. 113.

5°Central Statistical Office, Thailand P0pulation

Census, 1960: Northeast Region (Bangkok: National Economic
DevelOpment Board, 19 2 , p. 5.

 

 

)4 ‘

23

Range on the Cambodian boundary, and on the west by

the Phetchabun Mountains. The principal river is the
Mun, which flows eastward to join the Mekong at the

Lao border east of Ubon Ratchathani. The marshy flats
extending along the Mun are the only areas that are
well watered throughout the year. Elsewhere,the level
ground is swampy during the rains and forms dried up
wastes of grass in the dry season.

The people Of Northeast Thailand are primarily
rice farmers. Thai government figures show that only
abOut 19 percent of the land is cultivated.51 Between
85 and 90 percent of the peOple live in small, self-
sustaining villages.5a Cluster villages, prevalent in
the Northeast, combine with strip villages to provide
us with rural settlement patterns. These clusters are
usually low-lying areas where there is reasonable assurance
that a fair crOp of rice can be raised. In most provinces
rice accounts for more than 80 percent of the land under

cultivation:53 Farmers produce practically all their

 

51Thailand, Ministry of Agriculture, Agricultural
Statigtics of Thailand (Bangkok: Office Of Under Secretary
of State, Division of Agricultural Economics, Agricultural
Statistics Section, 196A), pp. 176-177.

saSuperintendent of Documents, U.S. Government
Printing Office, Area Handbook for Thailand (Washington,

9.0.. PA Pam. No. 550-53, ‘s'cp—t. 'l"9"68')',"‘p". "31.

53Ministry of Agriculture, Land Utilization
in Northeastern Thailand (Bangkok: Division of Agricultural
Economics, 1961), p. 32.

"I

24

own food. They catch fish, build their own houses, and
make their own household articles. A subistence economy
is characteristic of the typical village of the Northeast.
According to Long §§,§l, the per capita annual farm
income in the region is only 63 percent of the national
average.5fi This helps confirm the general Opinion that
the average farm income and standard of living of the
rural peOple in the Northeast Region is considerably
lower than in other regions of Thailand. Villages in
the Northeast region have long been referred to as Lao
but this is an arbitary designation. There has been
a constant flow of peOple across the Mekong River, which
marks the frontier between Thailand and Laos. According
to deYoung, minor cultural differences (dialect and
costume) have develOped but the government has ceased
using the Lao designation for the Northeast peOple.55
Villagers look to the government for material
and technical assistance, such as rice subsidies and
well drilling. There is a general feeling among villagers
that the government has a legal and moral Obligation
to render this assistance. Villagers themselves are

willing to contribute towards this goal. This would

 

juJancis F. Long, Millard F. Long, Kamphol
Adularthaya, Pongsuwana Swart, Economic and Social
Conditions Among_Farmers in Changwad Kon Kaen (Bangkok:
Faculty of Economics and COOperative Science, Kasertsert
University), p. 4.

 

fiuhohn E. deYoung, Village Life in Modern Thailand
(Berkeley: University of California Press, 1963): p. 7.

25

largely be in the form Of labor. There is no single
village model for solving group problems or resolving
common needs; nor is their any single village leader.
In most cases there are several.56 Official matters
that affect the entire community begin in the provincial
governor's office. On the village level, however, they
are the primary concern and responsibility of the headp
man, who in turn usually seeks the counsel Of the village
elders. If the matter pertains to education, the school
principal and teachers are also consulted. If necessary
e.nass meeting is called by the headnan.tc inform the
peOple of the official matter under consideration. The
effective implementation of any group decision affecting
the entire community usually requires the assistance
of the local abbot and other senior priests who stimulate
villagers to collective action..57

Generally, there are somewhere between three
and.five numerically superior and politically dominant
extended family units in.the village setting. The heads
of these units form the nucleus of the secular leadership.
They are both a source of strength and a potential source
of conflict in community affairs. As basic socio-

568tophu 3. Ions. W:
Wm k0 . I Ioosrn 01.

19 . p. .
57de Young, M. p. 20.

 

politicc
problem
nit: pr
timing,
Group cs
lib» in
village
fully.
Irioes,

net of e

finding
include,

W or 1
Principg'

t0 um

Public 1]
"“1 ire 1
“‘1 detai
1! the c:
“stunt:

r” tht q
\

26

pelitice-ecenemic units they serve as multi-purpese
preblem-selving entities as well. The members ef these
units practice mutual aid by helping each ether in
farming, heuse building, financial and persenal matters.
Greup ceeperatien in the fern ef mutual exchange ef
laber in farming and heuse building may alse invelve
village units larger than the heuseheld and extended
family. This unit, which is activated enly when the need
arises, is net fermally erganized and has as permanent
set ef efficers.58
A Nertheast village usually has several
standing cemmittees each with a different functien. These
include, above all, the temple and scheel cemmittees.
Many ef the same individuals, such as the headman, scheel
principal, and certain influential village elders, tend
te serve en all village cemmittees.
Under a centralized ferm ef gevernment the
public institutions in the regien have little autonomy
and are clesely guided in their activities by pelicies
and detailed directives fermulated by the varieus ministries
in the capital. Likewise, the erganizatien ef lecal
institutiens cenferms te a structure which is uniferm

fer the entire ceuntry. While general pelicies geverning

 

assert.» P. Philips, Thai Peasant Per enalit
(Berkely: University ef Califernia Press, 1965) p. 22.

27

public services are directed teward the attainment ef
ebJectives ef natienal interest, it is alse recegnized
that different regiens ef Thailand have special preblens
and needs which require medificatiens in appreach er
aphasia}9 Observers have peinted eut defects in the
administrative structure which impede ecenemic develepnent
and many gevernment efficials are aware ef the need

fer inprevement.6Q In.Thailand, histery has shewn it
requires time and patience te fester this educatienal
process within the bureaucratic structure.

A system of compulsory educatien has been
eparating in Thailand since 1932. For a developing
ceuntry with limited resources this is a heavy financial
burden. Educatienally, scheels in the Nertheast do
net meet mininun standards. At present there are nere
than ene and ens-half nillien children (fifteen percent
efthe tetal regienal pepulatien) attending primary
scheels. Because nere than ene-third ef the villages
have no scheel buildings ef their ewn, children in.remete

areas have te walk leng distances te attend scheel er

 

59Janes N. nesel, 'Transitienal Thailand:
Cemnunicatien Patterns and Political Secializatien'

in Lucian Pye (ed.) Ce uni atien and Political vele ent
(Princeten: Princeten Univ. Press, 1§3§5 p. 1T2.

6°Janes N. hesel, “Thai Adninistrative Behavier'
in.w. J. Siffin, (ed.) Teward the C arative Stud ef
Public Agginigtratien, (Indiana Univ. 19575 p. 33.

they do
hu one
only on
end dev
the Nor
than t
Horthea
lenetar
Thai 1:
Rerthea

28

they do net ge te scheel at all. Altheugh the regien

has ens-third ef the natien's pepulatien, it receives

enly ens-fifth ef the funds alletted te scheel censtructien
and develop-ent.51 Censtructien costs may be lower in

the Hertheast but casual traveling in the regien seen

shews the severity ef the preblem Each year dezens ef
Hertheast Thai villages construct scheels witheut any
nenetary assistance frem the natienal gevernment. Central-
Thai is the medium of educatien fer all scheels in the
Nertheast even theugh Lee may be speken at heme.

Thai Peggenalitz
The maJer literature en Thai persenality tells

us such abeut the inner werkings ef a Thai villager.
Uilsen feels that the Thai is extremely cenfertable
with his Buddhist religien.‘z This faith in traditienal
religien has saved his frem self-criticisn and has
given him a matter-ef-fact appreach te life. Thai
villagers face life head-en each and every day. They
are net given te flights ef imaginatien. The clesest
thing te psychelegical literature resulting fren these

 

“hummus, gp, git. p. 22.

529mm A. Vilsen, Pelitics in Thailand
(Cernell University Press, 19 2 p. .

29

fundamental orientations are religious essays, scheel
books on nerality, and satirical fiction and poetry.
One of Thailand's most famous men of letters
is I. R. Khukrit PraJoJ, a publisher, editor and lecturer.
His.most pepular work is Egg-haa Pra-ggg-wan or gzgglggg
of Qgilz gizg, a multi-voluned set of dialogues in which
he answers questions about preblens of daily living (much
like our own Ann Lenders format.‘3
Of a somewhat different order is So - Kho
M or Characteristics of a Good Peggen.“ This is
a panphlet used in schools for instruction in norality.
Almost all Thai children are faniliar with it. Following
are some of its 'commandnents' selected at random from
the first few pages of the text:
1) Do not touch any person in,a disrespectful way.
2) Do not try to act in the same way as your
superior.
3) De net be concerned with your own confort
before the confort of your superiors and women.
n) The good person is one who tries to behave in
an honest way.
5) Do not shove anything at anybody or throw anything
st anybody.

 

53s. n. Khukrit Pramoj, - Pr -cam-wan
(Bangkok, 1952)

6Ministry of Education, Son-bad Khon Phuu Dii
(Bangkok, 1959), pp. 2-9.

6)

7)
8)

9)

1o)
11)

30

Do not nake loud noises when.peeple are working.
Do not spit or yawn.in public.

Do not gobble your food or scatter things on
your plate or chew loudly.

Do not sit or walk carelessly against other
people.

De netgtouch people who are your close friends.
If you are a superior, wherever you go, you
should look after the comfort of your inferior..
Although the last point is self-explanatory,

note should be taken of the cultural emphasis found in

nany of the items. There is a stress on self-discipline

along with the fear of losing control over oneself.

There is a stress on respecting the individual and a
great emphasis given to the body in social relations.
All of these items are standards for behavior.

One of the most comprehensive and analytically

oriented looks at the Tflai personality is given us in the
Cornell Thailand Handbook:

...The psychologist commented that the Thai
in general were hospitable people; that the
tempo of their lives was slow; that they
possessed considerable equanimity; that many
Thai actions had a basis in the Buddhist
religion; that the Thai respected age; that
ritual and ceremony were important facts of
Thai life; that the Thai were not steadfast;
that they were extravagant; that they were
bashful, introverted; that they were not
socially ninded, that it, they were not
Joiners; that the Thai approach to life's
concerns were empirical rather than theoret-
ical; that the Thai were indolent; that they were

31

egoistic, self-centered; that they lacked
persistence, 'stick-te-itiveness'; and that
the The were a nild people, a non-violent
people. 5

This is not sinply a list of cultural stereotypes
but is basically in accord with what most observers
have written about the Thai in general.

Another important aspect of this work is its
explanation of various Thai words connected with attitudes
for which there are no easy equivalents in.English.
Included are concepts like Eggngzgggl (the attitude of
hunility ineolving the desire of not having people trouble
themselves); ghogJ-cheej (an attitude of indifference
or neninvolvement); and.ga1 peg 2a] (literally, “never
mind' or 'it doesn't natter'; used to relax in a stress
situation or to pass off difficulties in life).

Robert B. Textor's Shgged Images of Thai Modal
Pergogglitz Held by Peasants in a Central Plain Community
is a listing of twelve inages that he thinks Thais have
of thenselves in general: I'Buddhistness (to be Buddha-
like), Easy-Goingness, Fuanovingness, Generosity,

Untrustworthiness, Self-Centeredness, Tolerance-Indifference,

Hierarchy, Phat-Enbarrassedness, Politeness, Unobtrusiveness,

 

6%, here, Vella and Walter, ‘ Handbook on
231 (New Haven; Hunan Relations Area Files, 1956),
p. .

 

3!

32

Lack of Efficiency and Progress.'66

Herbert P. Phillips' Thai Peasant Pergonalitz
is the first book-length study of Thai psychological
life.67 In it he describes the Thai's dominant person.
ality traits being ained at the maintenance of their
individuality, privacy and sense of self-regard. Philips
tries to demonstrate how the individualistic tendencies
of the Thai hinder interpersonal relationships. This
loosely structured system of social relationships has
its roots in childhood and is supported by Buddhist doc-
trine and the sociologically simple nature of Thai
society.

Prajuab Tirabutana's autobiography, Thg Sigple
gag; gag §tegz e; a Sigggse Girlheod, provides what is
probably the nest unique psychological docunent in the
English language;68 It is a life history, being non.
analytic and descriptive. It does, however, present in
an ingenuous way what it is to feel and think like a

 

'66 Robert B. Texter flarfl Liege! of Thai 11te
enali Held b Peasant in a Contra Plain Comnunit
cutta: UNESCO Research Center on the Sec a Inplicatiens
of Industrialization in Southern Asia, 1956)

       
    

67' Philips. 22. 91:. , p." no:

68Prajuab Tirabutana, The 1 le One:

3: g giglese Gizlheed (Cornel U vers y Southeast Asia
Pregran, Ithaca, N.Y., Data paper no. 30, 1958)

   
 

33

Th“L69

The nest famous culture-personality study on
Thailand is Ruth Benedict's _T_h‘a_i Culture and Behavior.”
This study is especially significant since it was one of
the first attempts to penetrate the Thai character. In
it she dolls with the traditional background of Thailand,
its religion and its opcupants' adult life. In the second
part of her study, she speaks of Thai children and goes
into characteristics of Thai life. Here some of her nest
perceptive writing deals with the Thai enjoy-out of life,
merit-making, and male dominance.

The pragmatic nature of the Thai nind is illus-
trated in Reginald lehay's Siangge Taleg, Old and New:

As I hope is clear by new, the Siamese
are realists. This is a very wicked world,
and everyone is trying to get the better of
you in some way or another. Your only scans
of protection is to be cleverer than your
neighbor, and if you gain a reputation for
being alert and keen in your business dealings,
you will be looked up to and adnired. There

s little sympathy wasted on the dupe...I
myself have often asked my Siamese friends why 1
in their stories the rascal so frequently
cones out on top to the disconfiture of the
Jhero..., and I an invariably it with the answer,
But isn t it very often true?»

 

59 Miss PraJuab occupies a special place in the
heart of this author since she was his landlady during his
tour with the U. 8. Infernation Service in the town of
Ubon Ratchathani.

”Ruth Benedict, Thai Culture and Behavior (New
York, Institute for Intercultural Studies, Data Paper No. h,
Cornell Univ. S.E. Asia Pregran, Ithaca, N. I. 19h3)

n Reginald lehay, Siamese Tales Old and New

(London, Heel Douglas Ltd., 1930) p. 53.

Rel
the istentio
that others
out on tap t
null.

Joh
presents a d
h 0 Thai v1
went-day
Wilts out I
31'. «Young
(fillgion, e
“”18- The
th‘ “8111 of
quickly thro

Int
°‘ the Other
31th 610" r
the hood.“
he Menu
N th. lead
llminds”

\

72d

73

M “hug

3n

Related to this is the Thai sensitivity to
the intentions of others, particularly to the possibility
that others may want to do them in. In order to come
out on top the Thai sees the ends as Justifying the
means.

John E. deIoung's Villgge pig; 1; hgdggg Thgilggd
presents a descriptive account of the daily activities
in.a Thai village.72 It includes how villagers work in
present-day Thailand, how their life has changed, and
points out some of the possibilities for their future.

Hr. deIoung shows how the old Thai basic patterns of life
(religion, agriculture, social life) remain secure and
strong. Thai peasant society is shown.to emit none of
the signs of disintegration.that arise when a group is
quickly thrown into the modernization process.

Inter-personal rivalries or inter-family disputes,
on the other hand, are usually settled within the village
with close relatives or friends, respected village elders,
the headnan or senior priests intervening as mediators.
The overall village organisation is comparatively loose
and the leadership structure diffuse, with many personalities
involved.73

 

72do Young, op. cit., p. 84.

73Herbert P; Phillips, ' Ritual 1
Thai Village (Ford Foundation, nimeographed, 1953), p. 5.

35

Effective as it nay be for coping with the
ordinary round of village preblens, the traditional
organisational and leadership structure is not entirely
adequate to deal with special preblens, such as the
promotion of village security or development along nany
fronts. The villagers are familiar and closely identified
with local government officials, but generally they
are not acquainted with officials at the provincial
and national levels, particularly the lstter.7“ The
national gevernnent appears to the Northeast (lgggg)
villager as a renote entity that in the past has never
taken genuine interest in his welfare. Although the
llggggvillager appears to be attached to his country,
this attach-ant is largely regienal rather than national
in.character. Culturally (and possibly unconsciously)
they reveal greater affinity with Laotians than with
the dominant Central Plains Thais.75

Another area is dealt with by Stephen B. Young

in.Thg Northeggtegg Villgge: A Noinartigipategz Deneggagzr76
This has to do with the attitudes rural Thais have toward

 

politics. The four fundanental political assunptiens

Young observed were: 1) gevernnent is restricted to

 

74Jehn F. Embree, 'Thailand: A Loosely Structured
Seoial Systen,’ gerican Anthropologist, Eeb., 1950, p. 52.

75Platonius, op, cit., p. 2“.
7'6I’eung, op, cit., p. #2.

36

a set of duties; 2) involvement with government should

be ninimal; 3) village gevernnent must concern itself

with the public interest to regain.legitinacy; and finally,
h) when confronted with a powerful person, the villager
should obey to the extent denanded. The not effect of
these assumptions is that the villager sees the role

of gevernnent to be very linited but at the sane tine
believes it should be the function of this government

to exist entirely without his assistance or inyolvenent.

CHAPTER III

A HISTORICAL PROFILE OF RADIO STATION
909, SAKON NAKORN, THAILAND

The Thai National Security Con-and operates
a 50 kilowatt radio station in Northeast Thailand,
specifically in support of Royal Thai Government (RTG)
and national Security Cemnand (NSC) objectives of
countering the insurgent threat to the internal security
of the country. This station is located in Sakorn
lakorn. It is powerful enough to reach throughout
the Northeast. The station equipnent was originally
provided and installed by the United States Army, while
the United States Overseas Hission.(USOH) provided
commodity and financial assistance and the United
States Infernation Service (USIS) provided pregranning
advice and training assistance. This author spent
two years as a USIS gevernnent advisor at Radio Station
909. This work included progran and interview assistance
along with making extended field trips throughout the
northeast.

The oquipnont being used by Radio Station.909
was first brought to Thailand in.1963 to provide interin
support to the radio facility which.was constructed
at KhenAKaen by the Australian gevernnent. ‘Thi' station
was for the use of the RTG Public Relations Department

37

38

(PRD), Office of the Prime hinistor. It went into
operation in October 1963 and ceased operation when the
Australian transmitter went on the air in Deoenbor 1965.
The station at Khon Kaon continues to rely on PRD
Preps-ins.

In early 1966, it was decided to nove the 50
kilowatt equipnent deeper into the Northeast to operate
nore closely in support of Thai gevernnent modernisation
programs. A preJ oct agreenent setting forth USO! support
requirenents was signed between that agency and the
Thai gevernnent in June 1966.

The name for this station (909) was derived fren
the present King Rana IX and was also to denote the fact
that it was put on the air during the Buddhist Bra 2509.
This is the origin of the combination 909. The station
broadcasts on a frequency of .843 m/e.and is on the air
every day for fourteen hours.

Several interrelated missions and objectives
have been set forth for Radio Station 909. Host deal
with its use as an olenent in direct support of overall
Thai gevernnent and National Security Comnand education
and modernisation objectives. These missions are as
follows, not necessarily in order of priority of importance:

1) The station was established to provide for
Northeast Thai villagers a listening alternative to
Radio Ranei, Radio Peking, and the Voice of the People
of niailand. The comnunist stations all have strong

39

broadcasting signals in the area. Prior to the
establishnent of Radio Station 909 in.midp1967, no
real Northeast-wide pro-gevernnent alternative was
available. New Radio Station 909 provides a strong
signal to soot this objective.

2) The station was established to provide a strong,
regienal eeverage for government news and related.infor-
nation itens. Previously the Thai gevernnent did not
have such a capability in the Northeast.

3) The station was established to give the North-
east a voice of its own, using to a great extent the local
Northeast dialect in.its progress and providing items of
interest to its rural audience, thus giving them a radio
station they could identify as their own.

b) Station progressing has the objective of enter-
taining and.inforsing the people of the Northeast on a
wide variety of subjects. These two progran goals were
to be pursued simultaneously, with informaties.and
entertainnent forming an.integratod pregramsing
whole.

5) Additionally, selected elements of station
progressing are designed to further the objective of one
eouraging nenbors of the rural society to increase
their efforts in cessunity dovelopnent and self-help
projects. This objective is pursued primarily through
the use of field reporting teens. The demonstration
effect is relied upon to stisulate additional activity.

Per mp1
their on
stery on t
to conduct
T
transports
us to hav
1:: e large
5! telety;
the telotj
tun-aim
“t 'Perat
b“! place
'31! his 1
"Hanna
View“.

”I. ru.t
m. ‘ull

40

Far exasplo, when villagers have inproved a read through
their own efforts, Radio Station 909 describes this
story on the air to encourage other villagers elsewhere
to conduct similar isprovoment projects.

The original idea for the United States Army
transportable 50 kilowatt radio broadcasting facility
was to have two or more of the stations working in tandem
in.a large area, each directly linked with these nearby
by teletypo and radio. For this reason the Army provided
the teletype oquipsont plus the 2.5 single side band
transsitter/receiver. Since there is no other sisilar
set operating in the vicinity, all this equipment has
been placed in storage. Due to costs, the Army produced
only two of these facilities. In addition to the one new
operating in Sakon.Nakorn, the other has been erected in South
Vietnan.

The radio receivers at Radio Station 909 provide
the renote facility with a worldpwido reception capability.
This would allow the site to receive news broadcasts or
other itoss of interest and then rebroadcast them to
the local audience. The only use at present for this
equipment is to receive the two daily Public Relations
Dopartsent news broadcasts. This news is received at
Radio Station 909 and then.robreadoast live through
the 50 kilowatt transmitter.

Aspex tape recorders are used to tape pregrass

for broadcast on the air and to retape pregrass sent

41

from Bangkok adding lecal anneuncenents or notices of
interest. Sony portable tape recorders are used to
tape interviews collected by field teass. Turntables
and control consoles are set up in both the transportable
progressing booth and the newly constructed broadcast
studio.

Radio Station 909 operates with a basic daily
schedule, published and distributed widely throughout
the Northeast. It was felt that by nainthining a constant
broadcasting schedule villagers would become faniliar
with Radio Station 909 and thus not becose confused by
frequent progran changes. This schedule is reproduced
in Table 3.1. All the progress listed in the basic schedule
are run as oesplote units. They are not interrupted for
announcements or station breaks. The susic shows, of course,
include identification of the singer and title of the
song along with each piece of susic. Between every
program there is a station break, identifying the fact
that it is Radio Station 909. Every hour there is a time
tone.

Locally produced news concentrates on itens
of local interest, activities of local government officials
and personal itens such as dovelopsont projects. The
regularly scheduled programs listed on Radio Station
909 total 98 hours per week. USIS/Bangkek provides
9 out of the 31 pregrass per day. This is 265 of the
total. The rest is strictly a Thai endeavor, being locally

#2

TABLE 3.1

A TYPICAL HONDA! THROUGH FRIDAY
SCHEDULE FOR BROADCAST ON '909'

 

 

 

TIRE PROGRAM TITLE

6:00 a.m. Oponing/ Highlights from Province of Nonth
6:30 a.n.= Farser's Friend

6: 5 a.m. Huu New (Our Friend)

7:00 a.m. PRD News

7:30 a.m. Folk Songs with Prasit

8:00 a.n. Provincial News and Cosnunity Announce-onto
8:15 a.n. Field Reporter's News Pregras

8 :30 a .n.' Soap Opera

9:00 a.m. Ban New (Our Home)

9:30 a.n. Radio School fros the Hinistry of Education
11:30 am: Haw Lam Nuu (Drama)

12:00 a.n. Titcan Does the News

12:30 p.m. Nodern Thai Nusic

1:00 p.m. Traveling Nicrepheno

1:15 p.s. Raw Les Nnu (Ethnic Husic)

1:30 p.m. Soap Opera

:zgg p.m.to Station is off the air for saintenanco
.3 Pol.

#:00 pa.” Haw Lam

#:30 p.m. Tumg Heng (Disc Jockey Show)

5:00 p.m. Provincial News

5:15 p.m. Field Reporter's News Program

5:30 p.‘m. Cheng Tam Dii (Religious m-ana)

6:00 p.s. Nai Hone Huey from NSC

6:30 p.s. Our Honeland

7:00 p.s. World News of the Day

7:15 p.n.‘ Western Music

7:30 p. . Voice of the Thai Arsed Forces

8:00 p.m.“ PRD News

8:30 p.s. Soap Opera

9:00 p.s.: Today's News

9:15 pm. Especially for Teachers

9:30 p.s.‘ Poetry and Nusical Compositions

10:00 p.s.“ Sign-off

43

produced or cening fros Thai ministries, PRD, NSC, the
Northeast Haw Lan Association, and other nationali
organizations. It is interesting to note that the
station devotes close to thirty percent of its broad.
casting tine to news-based progressing. This has to be
kept_in nind when considering the effect of news information
on the educational process.
One of the original objectives of the National

Security Cosnand.radio station was to give the Northeast
a voice of its own, providing rural villagers with a
radio station with which they could identify. To do
this, it was intended that such of Radio Station.909's
broadcasting would be in the Northeast dialect (closely
identified with Lao), rather than in.Central Thai.
To meet this end, 15 pregrass a day are broadcast in
Central Thai with the renaining 16 in the Northeast
dialect. Seven hours and #5 ninutes a day are broadcast
in Central Thai with 6 hours and 15 minutes a'day in
the Northeast dialect. ‘Fifty-five per cent of broadcasting
tine is in Central Thai with the rosianing forty-five per cent
in the Northeast dialect.

' Tests of the 909 radio signal indicate that
it covers the entire Northeast, given favorable atmospheric
conditions. One sust also take into consideration that
a very strong Chinese station is on the same frequency.
This has a considerable effect on some areas during

the evening listening hours. One indication of audience

an
reaction to the station has cone from the requests of
listeners who write to the station. During the year
1968 this author tabulated 25,056 letters sent to the
station. Visitors provided another asazing fact; during
1968, 35,7ue visitors traveled to Radio Station 909
in order to visit their favorite personalities.
The frequent trips by United States Information

Service Nobile Information Tease and visits by Radio
Station 909 field reporting teans throughout the Northeast
have verified that nany villagers are listening to the
station. These trips have also reinforced the fact that
the dosignation.'909' is known throughout the region.

‘ A recent survey has shown that over throe-forths
of the radio listeners in the Northeast have listened
to Radio Station 909.77
in.villagos (81%) than in towns (7#%). Nine out of 10
students and district officials had listened to Radio

There are somewhat sore listeners

Station 909 at ease time as opposed to approximately
8 out of 10 farmers, teachers, village officials, and
shOpkeepors, and 7 out of 10 housewives and priests.
This data also indicates that Radio Station
909 is listened to more than any other station in the
Northeast. Thirty percent listened to Radio Station
909 the day previous to interviewing, and another 33%
listened to the station.at some other time during the

 

77Northeast Radio Media Survey, A Survey of Rgdic
Listeni Habits in Northeast Thailand ecificall Station

292, §gkon Nakorn Bangkok: U318. 19 9 , p. 3 .

       

“5

previous week. This brought weekly exposure to Radio
Station 909 to nearly two-thirds Of those listeners
in the Northeast.

Commensurate with the fact that Radio Station
909 is listened to more Often than any other station in
the Northeast, it is also considered the 'favorite'
station.more than anytothcrj8 Radio Station 909 is
preferred somewhat more by men (4h%) than women (37%),
and adults over 50 than by other groups in the sample.
As many as 9 out of 10 chose Radio Station 909 as their
favorite station in Sakon Nakorn province, followed by
7#% in Nakorn Phenom province and 73% in Nong Khai province.
Radio Station 909 appears to be least pOpular in the
provinces of Udon and Kalasin.

It seems clear that the Opening of Radio Station
909 filled a major gap in radio coverage in the Northeast.
This seems to be especially true in relation to the
Northeast villager.

One Of the major innovations introduced at Radio
Station 909 that may well prove to be a model for develOping
nation's radio is the use Of field reporting teams, which
visit remote districts and villages throughout the North-
east. They tape record interviews and items Of interest
for later rebroadcast on the station. These are usually

stories told by villagers how community develOpment

 

73’Northeast Radio Media Survey, m, p. 92.

#6

programs have actually helped them. The field teams
also record self-help stories, unique events as told by
eyewitnesses, and other stories of interest to Northeast
villagers. The information items recorded by those
teams form the main source of local news which is broadcast
twice daily. The station has three permanent field
reporting teams, each composed of two National Security
Command employees. Each team chief is fluent in the
Northeast dialect. Each team has its own vehicle and
portable tape recorder. These teams make about four
extended trips per month to various areas of the Northeast.
The team is in the field for two to four days per trip.
Table 3.2 illustrates the twelve trips conducted during
the month of December 1968.

In addition to these extended field trips,
each of the field reporting teams makes many short trips
per month to areas near the city of Sakon.Nakorn. Some
of these trips are planned in advance; others are generated
by a particular event which the station deems of interest
to its listeners. For example, a district official may
notify the station of a school being constructed entirely
by village labor. A field reporting team would then be
dispatched to interview the villagers involved, taping
the discussion for later broadcast.

The primary objective of the team while in
the field is to discover and record local news items

or other items of interest to station listeners.

1+7

TABLE 3.2

FIELD REPORTING SCHEDULE, DECEMBER 1968

 

 

 

DATE LOCATION DISTRICT REPORTERS

2-# Hahasarakham Hapi Pathum Chumpcn, Baker
ha5 Nakon Phenom Sii Songkhram Arun, Hiliut
5-6 Sakon Nakorn Hannoniwat Samran, Akat
lO-ll Udorn NOnghan Arun, Akat
lO-ll Roiet Chaturaphak Chumpcn, Prayoon
12-l# Kalasin Sahatsakhan Sasran, Baker
16-18 Udorn Sibunruang Arun, Prayoon
17-19 Nakon Phenom Na Kae Chumpcn, Akat
19-20 Khon Kaen Ban.Paj Sasran, Niliutv
25-26 Kalasin Kuchinarai Sanran, Akat
26-27 Nahasarakham Nai Chuck Prayoon, Arun
27-28 NOngkhai Phone Pisai Chumpcn, Niliut

 

The team, upon arrival in the the area, will

contact the head district officer and other government

officials for their advice on current items of news value.

The team often visits a health station, police station or

school.

At times contact may be made with a governor,

province community develOpment officer, chief of a mobile

develOpment unit, or commander of a military unit in

the area.

United States Information Service and United

‘48

United States Overseas Mission Officials in the area

are usually contacted. The trips are primarily oriented
to the district seat, with visits made to specific villages
where news stories are present. While in the village

the team is likely to talk to the village headnan, school
teacher, members of the village development committee,
along with other villagers. The team may stop to search
out any news at a village along the road while traveling
from one place to another. At present the station broadcasts
thirty minutes daily Of news items collected through

field team interviews. These are in the form of one
morning and one afternoon program.

Radio Station 909 presents a good example Of
interrelationships between various agencies. This project
has been perhaps more complex in terms of administrative
relationships than any other in Thailand. Most Of these
are necessitated by the activities Of the field reporting
teams. Station Officials meet with governors and district
chiefs to discuss the planned interview schedule of the
field teams, and to elicit cooperation and support.

For field team visits a letter is sent with the team
to the governor or district chief informing him of their
plans. This has proved to be a very workable model in

obtaining cOOperation at all levels.

CHAPTER IV
PRESENTATION AND ANALYSIS OF THE DATA

goggltg gglgted to the Qgegtiggg
The data in this chapter is gleened from Its

Openpended interviews on community development in North-
eastern Thailand. These interviews averaged fifteen
minutes in length (for radio programming purposes) and
were conducted primarily in the Northeast (ggggn) dialect.
Because of the difficulty of translating each interview
word for word, summaries were made. These interview
summaries are found in the Appendix of this study.

All translations into English were done by the author

at the time of the interviews.

The purpose of this study was to provide an
assessment of the extent of community develOpment in
Northeast Thailand with particular regard to national
government involvement, village participation, change
factors and information resources.

The main objective was to analyze interview
data collected in.relation to the following questions
regarding community development:

1. From what sources do Thais initially become
interested in community development in Thailand?

2. Is life changing among those involved in.these
projects and if so how?

“9

50

Have other Thais in the Northeast expressed
interest in the work that is presently being
accomplished?

How acceptable is the transitional life style

of those engaged in community development?

Who has provided leadership for community development
programs in Northeast Thailand.

What influence has the national government had

in those develOpement projects observed?

What development projects are planned for the
future?

To what factors can change be attributed?

What kinds of difficulties have arisen in community

development work?

10. How diverse are the develOpment projects being
carried out in Northeast Thailand?
11. To what extent are projects communicated so
that others might understand and possibly implement
them?
12. To what extent is information given as to resources
available for interested parties?
13. To what extent are Northeast villagers involved
in the community develOpment process?
A discussion of the findings for each question
follows.
Question 1:

How does one become interested in community

51
development projects in Northeast Thailand?

The response patterns of the participants were
examined by tabulating from those sources one initially
becomes interested in community develOpment. Table h.1
shows that government sources provided the most input
(58%) towards innovations in community develOpment.
Village sources (28%) were second, followed by Innovator
Observation/Travel (11%) and Family Tradition (3%).
Innovator Observation/Travel refers to those people
who observed a development project during their travels

and then applied it when they returned to their homes.

TABLE “.1
SOURCES FOR INNOVATIONS IN COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT

 

 

 

SOURCE , TOTAL PERCENTAGE

Government sources 84 57.9

Village sources #1 28.3

Innovator observation/ 16 11.0

travel source

Family tradition source §__ _g‘§_,
Totals 1&5 lOO

 

Table #.2 shows how these general classifications
were further grouped in order to document the kinds

of innovation sources in the two largest categories

52

(Government and Village Sources).

TABLE 4.2

BREAKDOWN OF GOVERNMENT AND VILLAGE INNOVATORS

 

 

 

SOURCE DESIGNATION NUMBER

Government Community DevelOpment Dept. 21
Agriculture Department 11
Mobile Development Unit 11
Advanced Rural DevelOpment 8
District Official (W2) 8
Thai Army; 7
National Government (Bangkok) 7
Mobile Medical Unit 4
Health Department 3
Police Department 2
Governor 2

Village Village Council/Co-Op 12
Individual Villager ll

Teacher/Headmaster
Village Headman
Local Doctor/Nurse

Buddhist Monk

Nirknxl

 

53

Community DevelOpment officials located in
villages throughout the Northeast provided the largest
number of government sources regarding innovations (21).
The Department of Agriculture and Mobile Development
Units both provided 11 innovation sources, with the
Advanced Rural Development Agency and district officials
both providing 8. These, in turn, were followed by
the Thai army and national government with 7 each
and the Mobile Medical Units(h), Health Department (3),
Police Department (2), and Governors (2).

Among village sources the village council provided
the lead with 12 instances of community develOpment
leadership. Individual villagers accounted for 11 instances
of leadership, followed by teachers (7), village headmen
(5), doctors (A), and Buddhist monks (2).

The results of question one suggest the effort
being made by the Thai government in the Northeast to
meet the needs of its populace by facilitating community
develOpment programs and sharing their results. Villagers,
in turn, are carrying out many of their own programs
in the field of community development. Interest is
being develOped by observing projects at many levels
of Thai society.

Question 2:

Is life changing among those involved in these
projects and if so how?

Respondents listed 256 instances of their lives

59

being altered because of community develOpment projects.
Table #.3 shows community has the largest response (108).
Villagers perceived their lives were changing because
they were traveling more on better roads, drinking pure
water from new wells, receiving better medical attention
because of new health facilities, and learning more

due to the construction of new education facilities.

The next category of change concerned that of
financial betterment. Fifty-two respondents stated that
they felt having more money led to a changing style of
life. Being able to purchase a radio, for example,
meant they were able to hear news from surrounding provinces
every day of the year. During the rainy season this
was once impossible because of flooding. More money
has meant more travel. Villagers could now afford bus
fare to travel to province capitals that once would
have been too expensive.

Thirty-six respondents felt their self-concept
was stronger because they felt good about the work they
had done. Many wondered why they had not thought of
working together much earlier. Many were looked up
to because of the work they had done and the leadership
they exhibited.

Thirty respondents listed a change in occupation
as having a great impact on them. Rice farming has
provided Northeast Thailand with a one-crOp economy

for centuries. Diversity in production is seen by many

55

as a way to aid development in this area. This means
the introduction of such things as corn, vegetables,
and cotton.

The final category (Innovator as Resource Person)
also found 30 instances of changing life style. Those
peOple who were willing to share their knowledge have
found hundreds of villagers coming to them for assistance.
These range from chicken raising techniques to how to
build a road. Many of these village resource peOple
conduct classes in their particular eXpertise. They

are looked upon as a valuable asset to their community.

TABLE u.3
TYPES OF LIFE STYLE CHANGES

 

 

 

 

METHOD OF CHANGE NUMBER INVOLVED
Community Betterment 108
Financial Betterment 52
Increased Self-concept 36
Occupational Change 30
Innovator as Resource Person 30
Total 256
Question 3:

Have other Thais in the Northeast expressed
interest in the work that is presently being accomplished?

56

There were 57 instances listed where interested
parties contacted innovators concerning projects in
progress. These ranged from women's community develOpment
groups to double rice cropping. Many Thai women have
expressed boredom in the life they are leading. It
is interesting to note that women's community development
groups heads the list of interest producing projects.
It seems that Thai women were quick to involve themselves
in projects that made use of their talents. These projects
also helped to deal with their boredom problem.

The rest of the programs dealt primarily with
alternatives and supplements to rice farming. Silk,
fruit, cattle, fish, chickens, frogs, mushrooms and water-
melons all caught the villagers interest. These would
provide not only added food but added income. Many of
these projects could be completed during the dry season
after the rice planting was finished. It is important
to note that there were 23 different develOpment projects.
This attests to the diversity of community development

interests in the Northeast.

TABLE “.4
INTEREST PRODUCING PROJECTS

 

 

TYPE OF PROGRAM NUMBER

 

Women's community develOpment groups 7

Mobile DevelOpment Units planting crops 6

57

"Table 4.4 (cont'dJ'

 

 

TYPE OF PROGRAM

NUMBER

 

Farmer's Co-Operatives

Village road building

District Model Agriculture Centers
Village silk weaving

Well drilling

Fruit raising

Cattle raising

Literacy,pr0grams

Model villages

Fish ponds

Innovative teachers

Innovative farmers

Chicken raising

Temple building

Frog raising

Mushroom raising

Village develOpment organizations
Water project

Fertilizer usage

Watermelon raising

Dauble rice crOpping
__ Total—

1
#4 h' F4 l4 P' F4 r4 h‘ +4 to m) to to A: no to \n u: k0 -: O~ ox

 

 

58

Question A:

How acceptable is the transitional life style
of those engaged in community develOpment?

Ninety-four respondents stated that their
transitional life style was acceptable to them because
of their involvement in community development. Only
three expressed any problems with the results they had
experienced. Table h.5 enumerates the reasons why these

changes were either acceptable or unacceptable.

TABLE 4.5
ACCEPTABILITY OF TRANSITIONAL LIFE STYLE

 

 

REASONS FOR ACCEPTABILITY: NUMBER

 

Goods can proceed to market year-round 18
because of new roads. Personal travel
also has increased.

Higher standard of living because of 15
overall; village development

Change from one to multi-crOp economy 9
Use of fertilizer doubled crOp production 8
Increased water supply for personal 6
consumption

Extra money from silk production 5
Small projects increased well-being of 5
villagers

Women's classes have overall: effect on 4
families

PeOple expressed pleasure over fact that a

government cared about them

59

“Table 4.5 (cont'd.)'

 

 

 

 

New medical facilities provided needed care 3
New schools increased community involvement 3
Electricity provided cheaper light source 3
Literacy classes increased reading and 3
writing skills
Demand is great for products villagers l
enjoy producing
Innovative farmer is looked up to by village 1
New University will help meet needs of area 1
Pride in water seal toilets constructed 1
by villagers
New temple fills spiritual needs 1
Fish raising is easier than rice planting 1
Women have something to do with free time 1
New bridge enables villagers to reach markets 1
REASONS FOR UNACCEPTABILITI- NUMBER
Lack of leisure time due to transfer 1
from rice to vegetable farming
Government money for development is not 1
present because of political conflict
elsewhere
Producing fermented fish brings in money 1

but is source of liver fluke

 

60

Villagers were especially pleased with the
results of road construction. Without roads, travel
during the rainy season is next to impossible. Crop
related development projects were also readily accepted.
Many villagers (15) were impressed with the overall.
develOpment of their villages. It is also interesting
to note that four respondents felt happy that the
government exhibited concern for them. Villagers
tend to have long memories concerning the past inactivity
of the government.

Unacceptable changes in life style came from
three very different areas. One dealt with the lack of
leisure time since he no longer planted rice. Vegetable
production brought in much more money but was a full
time occupation. This particular villager was not sure
it was worth it.

Government money for community develOpment
sometimeiseems to be going to those areas that are having
the largest amount of communist insurgency. One respondent
was unhappy because he lived in a community that had
no communist problem. This particular official facetiously
wished for a communist attack on his village so that
government develOpment funds would be forthcoming.

The last reason for unacceptability in transitional
life style dealt with a conflict between tradition and
health. This village was famous for its fermented fish.
This fish is a well-known delicacy in Northeast Thailand.

61

The fish, however, contains large amounts of liver fluke,
a dangerous parasite. The problem thus arises between
producing a money making food or insuring the continuation
of a fearful health hazard.

Acceptable transitions in life style far outweigh
those that are unacceptable (94 to 3). The unacceptable
transitions, however, should not be neglected since
they contain important cultural implications in regards

to the life style of the Northeast villager.

Question 5:

Who has provided leadership for community
development programs in Northeastern Thailand?

Leadership for community development has come
mostly from the district community develOpment official
(24 respondents). Village input, however, was also
high. The individual villager and village headmen both
exhibited 15 instances each of development leadership.

We find that the Armed Forces provided 13 instances of
develOpment leadership, followed closely by government
agencies (ARD, MDU, AID), headmasters and local community
develOpment officals with 12 instances each. These are
followed by the categories of district official (gal
amphur) with 8, health centers (8), district village
officials (gamnan, 7), women's groups (5), national
government officials (5), universities (3), United States

Information Service (2), Buddhist monks (2), and governors
(2). Table 4.6 lists the complete groupings.

62

TABLE 4.6
LEADERSHIP PRODUCERS

 

 

 

TITLE OF LEADER NUMBER
District community develOpment official 24
Village headman 15
Individual villager 15
Armed forces 13
Government agencies 12
Teacher/headmaster 12
Local community develOpment official 12
District government official (ngj amphur) 8
Health centers (doctors, nurses) 8
District village official (gamnan) 7
Women's groups 5
National government officials 5
Universities 3
United States Information Service 2
Buddhist monks 2
Governors 2
Total

145

 

;63

Dividing the leadership under two headings
we find government innovators exhibiting 89 instances
of leadership and village innovators exhibiting 56.
These figures speak well to the point that leadership
does not rest entirely in the hands of the Thai government.
Northeast villagers are also making their presence felt

in this develOpment process.

Question 6:

What influence has the national government
had in those development projects observed?

Out of 145 interviews the government was found
to be involved in 111 instances of community develOpment.
This involvement was 76.5% of the whole. Table 4.7
lists the types of activities receiving some kind of
government input. This table shows that the Thai government
is making an effort to attack the overall; development
problems in the Northeast. It should be stressed that
all support given, no matter how small, is making its
presence felt on the Thai villager. It is important
to note that the neglected areas of road building and
well drilling are now receiving extensive government
attention. The government sponsored Mobile DevelOpment
Units and the Advanced Rural DevelOpment Agency have
led in the road and well construction. It should also
be noted that the vast majority of government involvement
lies in the area of construction. Seventyaseven out

of the 111 projects were construction related. This

64

is important to the Thai villager because it is something
he can see. It also belongs to him and most likely

will have an effect on his life style.

TABLE 4.7
PROJECTS RECEIVING GOVERNMENT SUPPORT

 

 

TYPE OF SUPPORT GIVEN NUMBER

 

I-'
Q

Overalli village develOpment

H
N

Mobile DevelOpment Units

[—1
N

Local officials providing eXpertise

[.1
'—l

Advanced Rural Development road construction

5.:
0

Construction of water systems

Mobile Medical Units

Free silkworms

Construction of health centers

Fina ncing for village co-Ops

Fina ncing for tobacco farming
Materials for road construction

Set up health and literacy classes
Construction of stock breeding facilities
Construction of police stations
Construction of silk weaving schools

Provided seedlings for second rice crOpping

mmmmuuwtmmmm

Provided materials for electricity

65

"Table 4.7 (cont'd.)'

 

 

TYPE OF SUPPORT GIVEN NUMBER

 

Construction of bridges

Construction of fish ponds

Provided medicine for diseased chickens
Construction of university
Construction of dam

Construction of school

Construction of meeting hall

Provided funds for rebuilding disaster area

l I4 h' kl +4 l4 h’ h) to

Total
111

 

Question 2:

What develOpment projects are planned for
the future?

There were 37 instances of respondents stating
they were planning future community development projects.
All the respondents interviewed were at the time already
involved in some sort of development activity. Many
found that one project led into another. If a new well
was dug, additional water resulted in increased vegetable
production, which meant producing more than one could
eat. The selling of these excess vegetables brought

more money into one's family. This would also, in many

66

instances, prompt the building of a new road to lead

to the markets to sell these vegetables. As basic needs
were met villagers found they were able to branch into
other activities (such as the building of a new temple).
They also planned classes so that villagers with certain
skills could share them with the whole community. Table

4.8 lists the plans for future develOpment projects.

TABLE 4.8
PLANS FOR FUTURE PROJECTS

 

 

PLANNED PROJECT NUMBER

 

Construction of temple

General development (roads, water)
Village classes utilizing innovator skills
Construction of model village
Construction of reservoir

Construction of school

Construction of agriculture station

Silk raising

Weaving

On-going village maintenance

Village mobile medical unit

Multiple district road building campaign

F4 :4 F’ r4 I4 #1 no (u c: {r \n \m 0\

Construction of market

67

"Table 4.8 (cont'd.)'

 

 

 

PLANNED PROJECT NUMBER
Construction of health center 1
Construction of village meeting hall 1
Introduction of pig raising 1
Total 37

 

Question 8:

To what factors can change be attributed?

The response patterns of the participants were
examined by dividing them into six major groupings..
They include village COOperation, media input, information
input from government sources, material or monetary
government assistance, government construction programs,
and individual initiative.

Table 4.9 shows that respondents felt village
c00peration to be the strongest factor contributing
to change (52). Information input from government advisors
was seen to be the second most listed factor (49).
Government construction and government material or
monetary assistance programs were each mentioned 37
times. Individual initative was mentioned by 18 while

media input was mentioned three times.

68

We once again must be impressed by not only
the amount of times the Thai government is given credit
for contributing to change but with the corresponding
role of the Thai villager. Seventy incidences were
reported relating to villager input. This is a clear
sign that the government alone is not shouldering the

entire responsibility for community develOpment.

TABLE 4.9
FACTORS CONTRIBUTING TO CHANGE

 

 

 

CHANGE FACTOR NUMBER OF INCIDENCES
Village cOOperation 52
Information input from government advisors 49
Material/monetary government assistance 37
Government construction programs 37
Individual village initative 18
Media input 3
Total
193*

*Many interviews attributed more than one factor to change

 

69

Question 2:

What kinds of difficulities have arisen in
community develOpment work?

Respondents listed only 20 areas of difficulty
experienced while working in community development.
There seems to be a reason for such a low number. Field
reporting teams from Radio Station 909 were not looking
for problem areas. They were, however, concerned with
interviewing successful participators in the area of
community development. By using a success base it was
hoped that other parties would also try to involve themselves
in community develOpment activities.

Respondents'difficulties dealt primarily with
educating the public to the uses obtained from the new
projects. These difficulities are enumerated in Table
4.10.

There was even an interesting "culture shock”
syndrome expressed by young community develOpment workers
from Bangkok. They were finding work difficult for them
in the Northeast because of the differences in language
and food.

Another difficulty revolves around the fact
that many villagers in Northeast Thailand do not send
their children to school during rice planting season.
They must help with the craps. No matter how pressing

the problems, when the time comes, one must plant rice,
If double crOpping of rice comes into being there will be

even less of an Opportunity for children to attend school.

70

TABLE 4.10
DIFFICULTIES ENCOUNTERED IN DEVELOPMENT

 

 

DIFFICULTIES ENCOUNTERED NUMBER

 

Frequent flooding means no on-going develOpment
Communist problem detracts from development
Overproduction of new crops saturated market
Demand for new products is too great

Increase in hemp production causes pollution
Villages near Laos are uninformed on activities
Raising chickens much harder than expected
Villagers saw no need for water-seal toilets

No school during rice planting season

Crop spraying chemicals cause lung disease
Mulberry disease destroys silk production
Bangkokians find Northeast food and language problem
Lack of medicine slows work force

Fish fermentation contains liver fluke

h‘ f4 k4 r4 #1 IA ha r4 F1 +4 F4 t4 F1 \o :-

Installing electricity harder than expected

 

Total

N
O

 

Technology has in some instances acted as a
double edged sword. When a villager sprays his cotton

crOp he must also fear damage to his lungs. Water-seal

I

31

toilet installations without education in sanitation
means that their usage is limited to honored guests.
Some village products are in such a demand
that villagers do not feel any enjoyment in making them
any more. If a village makes baskets for its own use
and these baskets become in demand in Bangkok, conflict
may arise. Time may be spent trying to fill production
quotas at the expense of playing with one's children
or even normal household chores.
Many innovations just turned out to be too

much work (chicken raising, installing electricity).

Question 10:

How diverse are the develOpment projects being
carried out in Northeast Thailand?

Table 4.11 gives a complete listing of all
the activities of the reSpondents. It lists 42 different
kinds of community development projects being carried
out in the Northeast. Forty-eight percent of these
projects (20) affect the general well-being of the Thai
villager (construction of wells, roads, health facilities,
schools, bridges, etc.). Fiftyytwo percent of the projects
(22) deal with the develOpment of individual villagers
(raising of hemp, chickens, cattle, pigs, bananas, etc.).

Looking at the overall: number of projects
enumberated we find that 62% (142) deal with general
develOpment. Thirty-eight percent deal with the individual
(67). This leads one to believe that the majority of

community develOpment work is affecting the total community.

72

TABLE 4.11
DIVERSITY OF DEVELOPMENT PROJECTS

 

 

DESCRIPTION OF PROJECT NUMBER

 

Well drilling

b)
0

Road building

N
V

Health facility construction

+4 la
La \n

School construction

H
0

Silk production

1...:
0

General village develOpment
Introduction of new crops
Fish raising

Temple construction
Electricity installation
Model village construction
Bridge construction
Chicken raising

Cattle raising

Farmer cooperatives
Fertilizer usage

Dam/canal construction
Tobacco raising
Water-seal toilet construction
Banana raising

Arts/crafts

NN#‘-P’UIU\\nU\O\O\O\O\O\\ImGD

Coconut raising

73

"Table 4.11 (cont'd.)"

 

 

DESCRIPTION OF PROJECT

NUMBER

 

Pig raising
Weaving .
Adult education classes
Cotton raising
CrOp spraying
Frog raising
Home economics classes
Hemp raising
Library construction
Mushroom raising
Meeting hall construction
Natural gas usage for cooking
Police station construction
Peanut raising
Pottery making
Playground construction
Trade fair
University construction
Watermelon raising
Salt production

Total

Ia F‘ Ia #4 i4 F‘ r4 P3 P4 i4 F3 +4 F4 +4 ha i4 F‘ l4 h) to

 

209

 

7»

Well drilling (30) and read building (27) were
the twe mest numereus activities being carried eut by
the interviewees. This is a geed sign since villagers
have leng preclaimed water and reads to be their areas
ef greatest need. Health facility censtructian (15)
and scheel censtructien (13) were alse areas ef increased
activity. Silk preductien (10) is seen to be high because
ef the demand frem fereign markets (especially the United
States). The strength of this list seems te lie in
its diversity. A multitude of needs are being met by
attacking the preblem cf develepment from many different

angles.

.Qn£!!12£.11§

Te what extent are prejects communicated se
that ethers might understand and pessibly implement them?

One of the main ebjectives cf the field reperting
pregram was te obtain interviews that weuld net enly
describe cemmunity develepment activities but alse explain
hew these prejects were carried eut. The aim was te have
villagers listen te hew ethers have invelved themselves
in.cemmunity develOpment and pessibly stimulate further
prejects. Out ef 145 interviews, 112 (77.3 percent)
fully explained in.a “how to de it' fashion their cemmunity
develepment activities. Table 4.12 lists the develepment
prejects that were explainad fer the benefit of their
radie listening audience.

75

TABLE 4.12
TYPES OF ”HON TO DO IT' PROJECTS

 

 

 

TYPE OF PROJECT EXPLAINED NUMBER
Row to build a read 13

' water system 10

complete development program 10

How to use new farming methods 7
new te build a school
new to raise silk

fish
new to use fertiliser

How to

How to
Row to

How to

How to

Row to

Row to

flew to

How to

fern a farmer's ceeperative
girl's cemmunity development group

install electricity
grew fruit

make use of health facilities
cattle breeding statiems

raise chickens

build water-seal toilets
village meeting halls

weave mats and baskets

build bamboo furniture
pottery products
water collecting basins
temples
manure gas cooking systems
irrigation systems
dams

raise hemp
peanuts
vegetables

HHH HHHHHHH N NM u we r R #u\m mm

 

76

'Table 4.12 (cont'dd'

 

 

TYPE OF PROJECT EXPLAINED NUMBER

 

How to raise rice (double crepping) 1
mushrooms 1

frogs 1

pigs 1

tobacco 1

How to produce salt 1
Total 112

 

The largest group of projects explained dealt

‘with roads, water systems and general development programs
(a total of 33). Farming and farming related activities
were discussed 31 times. These ranged from silk worm

and fish raising to the use of fertilizer and the steps
to go through in.order to institute a farmers ceeperative.
Construction.ef craft items (6) were also explained. Many
villages are famous for one particular article. There
were instances of an entire village making nothing but
baskets. Another village did nothing but make pottery.
These were discussed and shared so that neighboring
villagers could begin.to make their own articles and
eventually would not have to buy them. This did not
necessarily have to cause conflict between villages

or destroy a particular villages economy. Most of the
items mentioned are in great demand throughout Thailand
and many villages could make them and not saturate

77

the market.

One item of particular interest dealt with
the construction of a I'natural gas' cooking unit. A
holding tank was constructed that would house animal
manure. The gas given off by this manure could be used
for cooking. This item became so popular that instructions
were printed concerning how it is to be constructed
and were distributed throughout the Northeast by the
United States Information Service.

W:

To what extent is information given as to resources
available for interested parties?

Seventy-two (49.7 percent) of the respondents
were being used as resource persons for parties interested
in their work. Of the 72 resource people, 41 (57.4 percent)
held government related positions (community development
efficials, mobile medical unit workers, Advanced Rural
Development workers, etc.). It would be easier for
a government worker to act in this capacity since it
is more likely they have access to transportation that
enables them to share their expertise. The remaining
31 respondents (42.6 percent) were villagers who were
willing to give their time and talents as resource persons.
These villagers provided information on chicken raising,
silk weaving, well drilling, road building, watermelon
farming, fish raising, and electrical work. Table 4.13
lists the type of resources made available among those

interviewed.

7.8

TABLE 4.13

COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT RESOURCE PERSONS

 

 

TYPE OF RESOURCE AVAILABLE

NUMBER

 

Government community development worker
Mobile Development Unit personnel
Village held seminars on farming techniques
Farmer's ce-ep personnel
Government held development seminars
Village well driller
Villager fish raiser
Advanced Rural Development personnel
Village silk raisers ’
Ghulalengkern University medical personnel
Government agriculture.center personnel
Villager chicken raisers
Mobile Medical Unit personnel
Village schools
Villager watermelon farmer
Khen.xaen University agriculture worker
Villager en.water-seal toilet construction
Border Patrol Police
Village read builder
Villager electrical worker

Total

...-
oa Fl Ia ha i4 a: to a: to (3 tr .o- tr \n U\ <h 0~ ‘3 '3

W

 

W:

To what extent are Northeast villagers involved
in.the community development process?

Respondents interviewed listed a total of 151
instances of village involvement in the community development
process. In many instances, the government would supply
the labor force. The main point at issue here is the
tremendous amount of involvement the Northeast villager
has exhibited toward his own betterment. Table 4.14
enumerates the extent to which villagers are engaged
in.community development activities along with describing
these activities.

TABLE 4.14
EXTENT OF VILLAGE INVOLVEMENT IN COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT

 

 

 

TYPE OF VILLAGE INVOLVEMENT NUMBER
Water system installation 29
Roadbuilding 18
School construction 11

Silk production
Animal raising

Fish raising

Temple censtructien

Formation of farmer ce-eps

mflfiflflw

Village conducted development classes
Rbalth facility construction

89

I'Table 4.14 (continued)'

 

 

TYPE OF VILLAGE INVOLVEMENT

NUMBER

 

Water-seal toilet construction
Model village construction
Tobacco raising
Electricity installations
Vegetable raising
Bridge construction
General village development
Meeting hall construction
Basket/mat* weaving
Watermelon raising
Bamboo furniture building
Romp reservoir construction
Salt production
Peanut raising
Pottery making
Double cropping of rice
Mushroom raising
Frog raiiing
Manure gas stove construction
Fruit raising

Total

fa h’ F4 l4 P’ in la kl ta ta P' so to \n o- or -? #- v\ \n

151

 

81

The largest amounts of village involvement
can once again be seen in the construction phase. Wells
and water related endeavors lead with 29, followed by
road building with 18 and school construction with 11.
Of the 151 items, 98 dealt with projects that would
benefit the whole village ( such as roads and schools).
This speaks to the fact that the Thais are not taking
an ebjectivist philosophy in relation to their work.
They are dealing with projects that, in.the main, are
of benefit to .11. Again the diversity of village
involvement is worth noting. There are 30 different
kinds of projects listed.

CHAPTER V
SUMMARY AND DISCUSSION

Sal-gr; gt Findipgg
Generally, the Thai government provided the

source for community development innovations in Northeast
Thailand. People assigned to work on these projects

also led the way in developing them. Thai villagers,

on the other hand, are innovators in their own right.

They provided a sizeable portion of the innovative programs
in the Northeast. Most of those originated from their

own village councils.

Respondents stated that their life styles were
in a process of change. Over-all village development
(roads, wells, health facilities) seems to account for
the largest part of this change. Villagers also expressed
the fact that an.increased supply of money has enabled
them to purchase things like radios that have made them
more aware of the world around them. Many people stated
they felt good about the work they were doing. This
perception of self-worth seemed to aid in the development
of other community projects. Shifting from a one crop
rice oriented economy was seen to have an impact on
life style. Diversity of crops (along with animals,
silk production etc.) has meant that many villagers
are no longer prey to seasonal floods and droughts that

82

83

ones would have affected rice production. Villagers
now have some income producing alternatives.

Many community development projects have led
to aroused interest among other villagers. By observing
development in action and seeirg the results of this
development, many have begun.their own projects.
Women's community development activities and farmer's
co-operatives were especially popular. There were also
many interest producing activities concerning supplements
to rice production.

Villagers have accepted changes in life style
because they view them as beneficial. Many can now
sell their goods in markets throughout the year because
of new reads. A steady,clean water supply has aided in
both decreasing sickness and increasing vegetable production.
Many villagers were happy to see that the government
cared about them by sending community development officials
to aid them in their projects. This caring made them
more willing to join in and help work on development
activities. New health facilities also aided in increasing
the overall well being of villagers.

Life style changes were deemed unacceptable
by very few. One ex-rice farmer (who now raises vegetables
full time) stated that he enjoyed having more money
come in.each month. He looked back wistfully, however,

on all the free time he once enjoyed as a rice farmer.

84

Leadership for community development projects
comes mostly from district community development efficials
but villagers also lead.many of their own activities.

This village leadership comes from a wide variety of
sources. The majority of this village leadership comes
from village headmen and school headmasters.

The Thai government is involved in.most all go
the community development work observed in the Northeast. :
Much of this support is also combined with village labor. _
This combination of support and labor has aided the

 

development process. In the past there was not much é
communication between the government and the villager.
This problem has clearly been confronted and is on its
way to being resolved. Largo agencies such as the Advanced
Rural Development and Mobile Development Units have had
a great effect on the Thai village. These effects can
be seen in the areas of dam, school, meeting hall, health
center, road and well construction.

Village success in community development has
lead to the acceptance by villagers of other development
work. One successful project has had the tendency to
lead to another. Many villages wanted to construct
new temples, schools and roads.

There were five main factors seen to contribute
to change among Thai villagers. The largest concerned
cooperation among villagers. Information input was also

seen.as having played a large.part in the change process.

85

Government support in the forms of material, money,
and construction.programs also contributed heavily to
change. Individual villagers and media input also
played roles in this change process.

Analysis of the respondents news numerically,
difficulities encountered in community development work
were not a major concern. Individual instances of crop
overproduction; pollution.and culture shock were listed
as posing problems. ‘

There is tremendous diversity in the kinds
of community development work being experienced. The
majority of work encountered is affecting the total
village community. This is in the form of wells, reads,
health facilities, schools, temples, electricity and
bridges. There is also considerable activity on the
individual level. This is especially true in the areas
of more diverse crop production and animal raising.

In summation, community development, no matter how diverse,
is having a considerable effect on the Thai villager
due to programs fulfilling human needs. A

The majority of respondents explained their
development work in,a 'how to do it' fashion. Hopefully,
listeners could try their own hand at these activities
based on information contained in the interviews broadcast.
The manure gas stove is an example of a popular interview
that resulted in increased villager involvement. Explanations
in these interviews ranged from how to build roads to

how to organize farm cooperatives.

..A

1‘

86

Many respondents offered themselves as resources
for interested parties. A majority of these were government
officials working in community development areas. Many
villagers offered assistance concerning animal raising,
silk weaving and well drilling. These are extremely
important resources to the village community.

Villagers are involved extensively in the development ,1
process. While they receive much government assistance,
in the main, they are providing their own labor force.

The majority of this involvement concerns the construction

 

of water systems, roads and schools.

W
This study should be considered step one in

Radio Station 909's development role among Northeast

Thais; Interviews in this study were made to inform

listeners of community development happenings.r Another

series of interviews should now be made to ascertain

the effects of broadcasting community development activities

on their village audience. Does radio broadcasting in

the field of community development make a difference?

If field reporter interviews stimulate increased involvement

in community development then their use might be expanded.
Other Stations in Thailand should consider

establishing field reporting programs in order to create

a more personal relationship with their listeners. A

field reporting program could also be a vehicle used to

ascertain whether or not the community develOpment process

87

is being fostered in their area.

The Thai government should coordinate community
development work with local radio stations. This would
be done with the aim of increasing awareness among listeners
in regard to development work. It would also enable
listeners to hear how their government is assisting them
along with obtaining resource aid.

Radio stations in other developing countries
should consider increasing their involvement in.community
development by sending staff into the field in order
to support and foster community develOpment. In this

 

way they could publicize work that otherwise might not
reach outside the perimeter of a particular village.
This could develop into a very unique way of meeting

the needs of peOple.

Reflections.
As stated earlier, Radio Station 909 has provided

an hmportant vehicle for the dissemination of community
development activities in Northeast Thailand. Over

a two year period community development programs were
described to village audiences. Based on field reporter
activities a wealth of information.was collected on the
extent of community development work; These field reporter
activities also produced insights as to village and
government participation. The national government,

for example, was involved in over 75 percent of all the

community development projects observed. 0n the other.

88

hand, respondents listed a total of 151 instances of village
involvement in this process. This illustrates the tremendous
amount of community development activity going on in
northeast Thailand. These were not one-sided affairs.
Im.most instances one would see villagers and government
officials working hand in.hamd to achieve their desired
goals.

Radio Station 909 provided villagers with a
means of expressing their opinions on a variety of matters.
They were encouraged to communicate with Radio Station
909 and they certainly took advantage of that offer.
This is illustrated by the fact that 25,056 letters
were sent to Radio Station.909 in 1968. In that same
year 35,748 visitors come to see the station. Everywhere
this author traveled in Northeast Thailand villagers
recognised the radio station's name. This level of
eo-unieation and recognition is extremely unusual in

 

developing countries.

Radio Station 909 was a very special place
to work. One of the reasons for this could well be
the fast that villagers had found a station.they could
call their own. Face to face contact was maintained
between villagers and radio station field reporters.
There was a saying among station personnel, 'The sweetest
word in the world is a.manfis name.' This policy of
supporting individual villagers over the air waves who
were involved in.self-help, community development programs

89

could not help but have a positive effect on their self-
eoncept .' In this area there were 36 respondents who

felt their self-concept was stronger because they felt
good about the work they had done . Thi s information

is especially important because the interviewees were

not specifically asked about their self-concept. This
information was volunteered by them because of the special
place it had assumed in their value system.“ Villagers
mentioned, for example, how the whole atmosphere of their
village seemed to have changed since they had: started
working together.

A young woman involved in a home economics
project shared with this author how she felt ec-unity
spirit and self-worth had increased in her village.

She felt her sork was having a very beneficial effect
on her family and that she and others would continue
their work, making it a continuous part of their
village's". educational process.

One village was serviced by a civic action
81‘0”: This group travels throughout the country providing
assistance in the form of clothes, blankets and medical
aid to the needy. These villagers were grateful that
the government was taking a posture of involvement because
they were convinced that previously no one cared much
about what was happening to them. They now felt that
they were being listened to and given help when they
needed it.“

In another area people had developed their

 

 

it?

90

homes into a model village. They expressed pride in
their accomplishments and were especially pleased with
their increased status. They were surprised that the
little things they did made such a big difference in the
appearance of their village. 9

In one village new roads were built, toilets
constructed, and a new reservoir completed; The people
involved expressed definite positive changes in their
village setting and could not understand why they had
not done these type of activities earlier. They felt
that if they could do it then there should be no reason
why other villages should not try.

It was this kind of information that seemed
to develOp Radio Station 909 into a support base that
helped villagers share how they felt good about what
they were doing. This could be one of Radio Station
909's greatest contribution to change.

 

Another example of the station's role as a
vehicle of support is seen in its use of the Northeast
dialect in its broadcasting. Central Thai is the recognised
language of mailamd and is also the medium of education
in Northeast schools. Villagers call it 'Bangkok M."
The fact that their language has not been readily accepted
by the national governent has made Northeast villagers
wary of officials who all of a sudden exibit a concern
for their welfare. hdic Station 909 began immediately
by broadcasting a major part of their programs in the
Northeast dialect .“ Almost all of the field reporting,

91

cc-unity development programning was done in this dialect.
The nost popular program on Radio Station 909 was the
twelve o' clock news, also done in the dialect. This
enphasis on cultural democracy by Radio Station 909
has shown respect for the Northeast villager and his
unique identity.
This author feels Radio Station 909 has also
received respect from this sane Northeastern Thai. 1
This station has become the most listened to and hopefully T
nost effective in Northeast Thailand. This input leads
one to believe that good oo-unity develOpment progranming,
done by people who cars, could lead to village betterment
due to the popularity of this unique radio station.”

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APPENDIX

APPENDIX
JOURNAL OF INTERVIEW SUMMARIES

December 4, 1967

During this trip to Nakhon Phanou Province, two dis-
tricts were covered for news stories; That Phenom and Muk-
daharn. Our first contact was the district official of That F“
Phenom. He discussed the purpose of our visit and he gave ’
us the assistance of one of his men who lived in the area:
For the next two days of traveling, we had the invaluable
help of this nan who had his finger on the pulse of the vil-
lages:

1. Our first interview was with Mr. Jinda in the v11- 2
lags of Pcne Pong, Pra Gan Tung District. The government g
had recently fiven him his start in the raising of silk worms. '%_*
His last year's yield was over 4 kilos of raw silk thread
which brought him a profit of more than 800 baht (20 baht
equal 1 U.S. dollar). His income had doubled since he still
had time for rice farming. Buyers throughout the Northeast had
already contacted his and he was seriously thinking of going
into the business of raising silk worms on a full-time basis.
He proudly showed us a new, screened silkworn cupboard that
was given to him through the assistance of the rural agricul-
ture officer.

 

2. Our next stOp was the village of Tat No: in Pra Can
Tung District where we met a young man named Boonsong who was
reported to be the nost successful chicken farmer in the area.
He said that he had gotten the idea from visiting a fanily in
the central plains of Thailand. He wondered why people in.the
Northeast had not raised more poultry so he decided to try it
himself. Although he received sons aid fron local officials
in regard to proper medicines, he did most of the work. He
already had 3 new incubators, #50 chicken (which laid acre
than.200 eggs a day), and an inprcssive array of cages and
houses. Our tape was made with the recorder on tap of one of
these cages which gave us more than enough of the “living
sound“ for which our station was becoming famous. Many vil-
lages from surrounding areas had heard of his project and had
made visits to see it for thenselves and to discuss its cpera-
tion.with Boonsong; Hopefully this tape will enable others
to do the same;

3; Approxinately seven kilometers away, Just outside the
peaceful town of Rana, we stopped at the village of Na Don Maj.
There a happy old gentleman.named Mee See told us how he and
his daughters went about raising their successful crop of
watermelons. He did not spend much time in his rice fields

98

99

anymore since the watermelons had provided him with an ad-
equate income: At that time he had no problem selling all
he could raise in nearby Mukdaharn and even as far away as
Korat. He said they were fanous for their sweetness and the
one he gave us certainly proved his point. The only problem
he foresaw was overproduction. So many neighbors had come
to his for help and had copied his methods that he felt next
year's crOp would be sore than the market could handle.

Deoenbor 5, 1967

No one was working on this the King's birthday so I
was a bit concerned about not being able to find any leads
for stories. The district official came to our aid again,
however, by giving us his agriculture officer to work with.
He considered our work to be of high priority and before
noon we had another three stories.

#. The first of these cane from the village of San Paan
where we interviewed Mr. Saj Uan On. His forte was the rela-
ing of tobacco and he was most willing to tell us all about it.
The whole family became involved as the tape clearly shows.

He was the first person in that area to establish a success-
ful tobacco fern. He said he felt very good about what he was
doing since other villagers looked up to him. The government
had provided him with the financial backing and technical ex-
pertise needed to start. There is no problem selling tobacco
in Thailand since there is a government noncpoly which will buy
all he can raise. The commercial market is vast since the ma-
jority of Thai men snake and no health campaign has as yet

been launched to inform the public of the dangers of cancer.

5. Further down the road, we stopped at the village of
Do Na Huu where we made an enjoyable tape with Mrs. Panes.
She had started a number of women in the area off on the
making of bamboo furniture, dishes, and women's purses. She
showed us her wares and described how she constructed then.
She explained how she had gotten the enterprise started with
the help of the local community develcpment official. There
was a great demand for the things that she had been making for
yeats. She easily found other women in the community with the
sane talents and they proceeded to fora a group which had all
the work they could handle. The big city denand was more than
they could keep up with, but they saw no reason to push theu-
selves. They will probably quit when their enjoyable occupa-
tion starts to seem too much like work.

6. On the way back to That Phanom, we stopped at the
festivities at the govern-cut building. There we picked up
Mr. Ruam Long from the village of Nan Gaan who had been inn
strumental in its organization. The last thing completed was
a new road for which villagers had voiced a need to the local

“nan CA!

 

i .‘Isi-

-sis

100

officials. The government supplied 20,000 baht for trucks
and gas while drivers from the village gave their time. Mr.
Ruam Long donated 1,000 baht of his own money and collected
contributions from other villagers so the dirt hauling
drivers could be paid something for their services. Vil-
lagers themselves turned out to do the work in shifts. The
road, now completed, has joined the village to the main road
and the outside world. Goods that once took days during the
rainy season to reabh market now could get through in hours.
Peddlers visited more frequently and personal trips were more
common.

December 6, 1967

After lunch we drove from That Phenom to Mukdaharn and
introduced ourselves to the new district official. He arranged
a meeting with us the following day when he could present us
with a program to follow. Our evening was spent at various
functions given in honor of the King.

 

7. The district official sent us to the village of Non a
Can with a military escort to cover our firtt story. That was
an area which had been frequented by communist terrorists (CT's).
Since it was eight kilometers from the main road and followed
a cow path through the forest, it took us thirty minutes in low
gear to get to the village. There we interviewed local of—
ficials at their new police station. Villagers expressed the
fact that they felt much more secure now that the government
had shown an interest in their safety. We also interviewed the
younger brother of a man who was recently killed in an attack
on a CT stronghold. Before the police built their new station,
this village was a frequent rice stop for CT's. Villagers had
been intimidated and forced to attend prepaganda sessions, but
the station had put an end to that era of fear.

8. After another early morning meeting with the district
official, we left Nukdaharn by way of Naan Sam Kaa. There we
made a tape with Mr. Chalerm Jut concerning a self—help pro -
ject he was supervising. Villagers there were extremely proud
because they were the first in the area to receive electricity
and because a new road out to the main highway had just been
completed. In addition, a small dispensary with a fine supply
of medicine had been constructed with the help of the U. 8.
Overseas Missibn (AID) and the Viking Radar Station. Villa—
gers could not help but compare the "before" and "after“ of
their village. They had been spending more money for coal oil
than they now spent on electricity. Needless to say, the elec-
tricity provided them with much better light, Their village

had become a shOWplace because of its progressive improvements.
The dispensary was especially valuable because there was no
other medical center nearby. They were very grateful to the

101;

American airmen who had provided medicine.

December 19, 1967

9. This was a field trip covering the Opening of Khon
Kaen University. We taped the President of the University
Council summarizing the develOpment of this university which
was created to meet the needs of Northeastern Thailand. It
will provide many different areas of study but will mainly
focus on agriculture thereby providing a badly needed re-
source center for Northeast villages. This school will al-
low hundreds of students unable to attend schools in Bangkok
to continue their education. The government has stated that
it will provide financial assistance to those in need. With
the continued develOpment of the university in the South,
this will complete construction of universitiEs in the four
major areas of Thailand.

10. From there we followed the royal family around the
campus and then to the new Khon Kaen Health Center. That g
center, constructed with government funds, will service the if-
entire province with a staff willing to assist in any type of
problem or emergency. Patients could obtain free medical
attention or pay according to their means. The health center
will care for those who ordinarily would not be able to ob-
tain it, thereby supplementing the work of the local hos—
pital. Villagers attending the ceremony expressed their grat-
itude for having a new facility so close.

 

December 21, 1967

11. Our first interview in Chaiyaphum Province was

made in the village of Kwaa Noj where a new water system had
been installed. Because of extended dry seasons, this village
had gone without water for much of the year. To remedy this
situation, the government offered to supply the materials and
the village contributed the labor force. The system has been
completed and village families were being charged four baht
per month to keep the system in Operation. Villagers felt
this was a small price to pay for a continuous water supply.

12. Our next story was found in the village of Lam
Cam where we were interested in learning more about a nev
hemp soaking station. The local agriculture offical had
suggested the construction of a series of large reservoirs
which had been accomplished entirely through the use of vol-
unteer labor. Forty men then got together and formed a co-
Operative which brings all of its hemp to this station to
soak. Water Was a major factor in the production of hemp,

103

and since villagers have been able to control their water
supply, they have had excellent luck with their hemp.
When the initial forty men were finished with their crOp,
they rented the station. Their neighbors also expressed
pleasure with the situation since the canal water running
by their houses was no longer spoiled.. Hemp used to be
soaked out in front of the villagers' homes. Water used
to soak hemp is unfit for consumption, thereby causing
problems for cooking and drinking. This health hazard has
been removed by the construction of the soaking station.
In addition, the higher grade of hemp produced brought a
higher price on the market.

13. In the afternoon we covered a story about silk.
Just outside the village of Phaaw, we talked to the district
official who showed us his entire operation. In an old
government building, he had started a weaving school where
thirty young girls were given training in how to weave silk
cloth. We talked to a woman in the class who had received
silk worms from the government to take home and raise. She
explained how the women in the area had become interested in
this project and had used her as a resource person. She was
one of fifteen persons in her village who were raising worms.
We then spoke to a girl who was weaving on her own machine.
Extensive markets for their product had been found in Korat
and family life had changed a great deal with all of the ad-
ditional money coming in. The district official will continue
these weaving classes since many women from other villages
had expressed a willingness to join them.

December 22, 1967

14. The Governor of Chaiyaphum granted us a special
interview in which he explained the various development pro-
grams in his province. He stated that he wished to involve
villagers in these programs so they would not see improvements
as items that were being given to them. He spoke of silk,
water, roads, vegetables, rice and general development projects.
He also discussed the long range effects of progress in his
area. It was his hOpe that villagers would develOp a success-
ful program for which his officials could act as resource
personnel.

January 11, 1968

15. Our first stop during this trip was in Suwannaphum,
the southernmost of the three counties to be covered in Roi
Et Province. There we met with the county official who gave
us suggestions for three stories in his area. One of his rice

103

officers, Mr. Aroon, travelled with us throughout the county.
Our first story was obtained in the village of Kum Taj, Sa
Kuu District, where we visited Mr. Najbun's farm of about 73
raj (1 raj equals 2.5 acres). In the middle of his land he
had constructed a huge fish pond for his family's consump-
tion. Its production was so great that he had enough fish
left over to sell. Surrounding this pond he had some twenty
head of cattle grazing on his rice fields. Underneath his
house were row upon row of chicken coops. A vegetable garden
was nearby and in addition to all of this, he had just fin-
ished selling his pigs. Mr. Najbun felt that anyone could

do the kind of work in which he was engaged if enough interest
and will power were present. The government agriculture of-
ficer had given him his start. He turned out to be such a
successful speaker that he very willingly conducted seminars
for villagers who wished to visit his farm. This was one of
the best one-man success stories I had observed in Thailand.

16. Again in the village of Kum Taj, we interviewed the
village headman who informed us of develcpment projects in
his area. They ranged from hemp and pigs to roads and toilets.
Most of them had been started with government support, but
villagers had begun to do all of the work themselves. They
felt the whole atmosphere of their village had changed since
they were all working together.

January 12, 1968

17. Our final story in Suwannaphum County was obtained
in the village of Tak Dad, Hua Tone District. There we vis-
ited a school newly completed through the efforts of local
villagers. They felt they needed a school so they built it
themselves. Villagers had also provided 5,000 baht for the
drilling of a well on the school grounds which enabled the
students to produce an impressive vegetable garden. The
villagers had divided themselves into groups of six, each
group alternating days to work on the school and its proj-
ects. It was a case of neighbors getting together and de-
fining what they wanted for their families. They then de-
cided how to go about completing these projects. The head—
master of the school provided the leadership and many other
headmasters have visited to see how they too could initiate
these kinds of projects.

18. From Suwannaphum we travelled north to visit the
county official of Kaset Wisai. He sent us to an area sur-
rounding the temple of Pone Po where a massive medical com-
plex was being constructed by the Thai army. Everything

there would be made available to the villagers. X-ray
machines, doctors, medicine, Operating facilities, dentists,

104

and transportation (air evacuation, if necessary) would all
be provided free of charge. The doctors, who were coming
from Chulalongkorn University, were to offer their services
in the area convenient to the three adjoining counties

for the next two months. This program was fostered by the
Thai Ministry of Health. It was their aim to provide a
mobile medical unit that would travel throughout the coun-
try serving remote areas that would otherwise be without
health care.

19. On the way from Kaset Wisai to Chaturaphak, I

noticed some interesting looking dugout-like objects in
the fields by the roadside. It turned out to be a most
ingenious wasy of obtaining salt from the nonproductive

soil. The family we talked to was living in a lean-to
by the side of the road. They explained how they construct-
ed a dugout log, put it on stilts, and filled it with dirt
and water. The water then filtered through the bottom of
the log into a bamboo tube. From there, it fell into a
pit lined with hard clay. When enough water was accumulated,
it would be boiled. After evaporation took place, the res—
idue was salt. This method had been handed down in their
family for generations in order to pick up extra money be-
tween rice harvests. They said many peOple like us had
seen them from the road and had come over to see what they
were doing. They felt salt production could be quite lu-
crative since the dirt they were using was free. They felt
that because of the salt, they were able to obtain little
things for their family that they would ordinarily not be
able to enjoy. The area we were in turned out to be the
village of Nong Taw, Hua Chang District, Chaturapak Province.

20. Our final stOp was in the village of Tony, Hua Sang
District; After talking to the county official, we went with
a local doctor to visit a recently completed sanitation proj-
ect. This doctor had been instrumental in explaining the
health benefits derived from water seal toilets. He had got—
ten the government to provide the forms and cement, but the
rest was done by the village. The result was impressive
eighty per cent increase in toilets of which the villagers
were very proud. The government had also provided soap and
medicine to support the doctor's health work in the village.

February 13, 1968

21. In an interview on January 14, I reported on a
mobile develOpment unit medical project. At that time the
facilities were just being set up and an?interview was made
informing the public of the group that was to come. Upon
our arrival at Pone Poe , Kaset Wisai, we found the medical
complex completely Operative. It consisted of x-rays,

105

anaesthetizing, nursing, and any other services needed by
villagers. They were all from Chulalongkorn University and
were receiving a salary of seven baht a day (supposedly for
tobacco). They were, without a doubt, one of the hardest
working groups of Thais I had yet to meet. We lived with
that unit the next three days. Our first interview contained
reports from many villagers who had visited the main unit
concerning the kind of treatment they had received. Many had
walked ten to fifteen miles for medicine which they otherwise
would not have been able to obtain.

February 14, 1968

22. The medical unit was made up of two separate groups.
The first of these stayed at the main camp to take care of the
peOple who were well enough to make the trip to see them. The
other group travelled to a different village each day in order
to assist those in remote areas who otherwise would not be
able to come. We accompanied the latter group on the last
trip they made. They set up their facilities (including a
dentist's chair) just outside of Kaset Wisai in the local tem-
ple. Men, women, and children all formed lines to receive the
doctors' diagnoses. Everything from TH to gun shot wounds
were cared for during our brief stay and the doctors ex-
plained what they were doing throughout the day. An accu-
rate count of patients treated reached 1,496.

23. Our last tape in K5295 Wisai came from the village
headman of Pone Poe. He first spoke of the medical unit
and how it had helped the peOple of his village. Just before
the interview, the unit had given forty new suits of school
clothes to the children in the village. It was too bad that
the interview could not show "before" and "after" pictures of
those youngsters. The village headman also expressed thanks
for the blankets and medicine chest his peOple had received.
He explained how these same school children had constructed
a huge reservoir with the help of their teachers and funds
from the government. The reservoir covered fifty raj of land
and would furnish water throughout the year. That project
provided assistance for over 500 peOple. It would also
enable some of them to raise vegetables and second crOp
rice, something that had never been done before.

February 16, 1968

24. On the way to Pra Tum Hat, we stOpped to interview
the head of the Advanced Hural DevelOpment road building
project that would link Kaset Wisai to the Pra Tum Bat area.

106

This was a government backed project (some funds had come
from ARD) that did a great deal of develOpment work in the
Northeast. The head Of the crew was just beginning con-
struction of the twenty-six kilometers of road. He told of
the work planned and how adjoining villages would also be
linked to the main road.

25. To complete this story, our final interview was
made in Pra Tum Bat where the army construction head, Major
Prawait, had just completed the facilities which would ser-
vice the new camp. He informed the villagers of the sur-
rounding areas of what would be available to them. This
included a pilot fish pond.and a vegetable garden. He made
a plea to have as many as possible take advantage of these
Opportunities. While we were there, many interested vil-
lagers arrived to talk about the new installation and to
receive advice from Major Prawait.

February 22, 1968

26. Our first stOp this trip was in Bungkan, one of
Nongkai's northernmost counties, where we spOke to the
county official who asked us to cover an important meeting
the following day with representatives from the villages in
his area. Later at our hotalwe met a man who was raising
peanuts on the banks of the Mekong River. He had gotten the
idea from the local agriculture official. He explained his
system of planting along with the various costs involved.
He had planted a full two raj of them in front of his house
stretching down to the river. It seemed peanuts; were a
relatively easy crOp to care for since they do not have to
be watered. He made an 800 baht profit during his first
year Of planting which had enabled him to Open a small
sewing shop for his daughter.

February 23, 1968

27. We attended a week-long seminar concerning the
work projects in the various villages of Bungkan. The
seminar was held in the village Of Pan Lam where government
representatives from the Department of Community DevelOpment
were ready to act as resource personnel. They had just re-
turned from a trip to visit Radio Station 909 and were very
enthusiastic about what they had seen. The villagers were told
about 909's background, aims, and functions. A plea was made
to have everyone listen to the daily newscasts in order to
to keep abreast Of their local situation. It was stated that
at that very moment, the Pathet Lao were only ten miles from

107

from Paksan, which is located riaht across the river from
Bungkan. That led into the seminar itself where an inter-
view was made about the merits of raising silk worms with
government support. Other tOpics covered were: fertilizer
usage, fish raisins, and tree grafting. A villager then
explained to us what he thought he was getting from this
seminar. He had come from the village of Ta Kaj and he
talked about the insights he would be taking back with him.
He felt his villagers were open-minded and would eSpecially
like to put their silk raising expertise to work.

February 24, 1968

28. We began our trip by travelling south to the
Mobile Development Unit Center at the village of Don Ya
Na where our first interview was at the site of a new road.
With graders and bulldozers bellowing in the background, we
interviewed the village headmen of LOp Pan Tong and Nong
Nam Ween. The Mobile Development Unit was in the process of
linking those two villages with each village providing
twenty men to work with the MDU construction team on alter-
nate days. The government had given 30,000 baht for the
completion of this 3.5 kilometer road. The villagers were
very happy to provide the manpower because they felt the
advantages of a new road would be tremendous. Their vil-
lages are very isolated and this would enable them to find
new markets for their goods.

29. This interview was with the head of the MDA, Mr.
Chalerm, a Thai Army Colonel who gave a complete picture
of the work his men were doing. This included raising piss
and chickens, digging wells, providing electricity, building
schools and roads, and providing medical facilities. He
explained how villagers continually came to the Center for
help concerning crop production and animal care. He viewed
his position as one which should provide services to the
community as that community sees fit, as well as introducing
innovations into the area. These innovations were not to
be forced on villagers but rather were to‘be set up as pilot
projects at the MDU Center. By having villagers observe
how these projects work, it was his hOpe that they would
take these ideas home with them.

February 25, 1968

30. This day was spent in the village of Law Luanv,
Seka County where we stayed at the P‘iobile Development Head—
quarters. Seka seemed to be an area with absolutely nothing

108

but trees. The county had not as yet received electrical
power, but the MDU was preparing for this job while we were ’
there. They had just completed roads connecting adjoining
villages. We interviewed the village headman about the
occupations of his peOple, and he told us how the govern-
ment was providing many of them with assistance in tobacco
farming. In the barren Seka area, wet rice farming is
sometimes an impossible task, therefore many villagers are
getting away from their one crop economy. A program had
also been developed where the government provided trucks
so crop transportation would not have to be a problem.
Many villagers were not able to afford transportation out
of Seka to market, and this meant that their crOp would
dry out. They now had the use of the government's truck
and did not have to fall prey to a demanding taxi/truck
driver.

31. At seven o'clock in the morning, over fifty
villagers showed up at the house where we were staying to
talk with us. We interviewed them regarding the MDU work
that was going on there. They were especially enthusiastic
about having electricity and a water reservoir. They felt
these improvements would provide for vast changes in their
life styles since they would have more time to spend on
activities other than rice farming. They were happy to
have the MDU work in their village because they felt they
were a part of the work going on. The work was not only
for them,but, in many instances, by them.

March 5, 1968

32. While driving to Phone Pisai, we stOpped to talk
to the county official about activities in his area. Our
first interview covered a pottery making concern in the
village of Don Can, Chum Chang District. Twelve men from
three villages had pooled their resources and formed a
COOperative after getting their idea from a project in
another province.. Once they found an area that contained
suitable clay, they divided the responsibilities and built
their own kiln. Their work was done entirely by hand, and
their best potter can turn out one hundred pieces a day.
These men had given up rice farming completely since the
demand for their pots was so great.

33. Our next interview was made with the village head-
man and the school headmaster of the village of Tung Tad.
It dealt with the construction of one and one—half kilo-
meters of road completed entirely by village labor. Like
most projects, this one arose out of a village meeting. It
was felt that they could do the job with the aid of a truck.

1(9:

The county official lent them a truck and they proceeded to
dig their own fill dirt, water down the base, and the con-

struct the surface without outside help. The students from
the local school had also done their part. They were happy
not only because they had gotten out of school but because

they had had a big part to play in making travelling easier
to and from their village.

March 6, 1968

34. The county official of Phone Pisai provided us
with our next interview. He told us about the various
projects being worked on in his county and he explained how
the villagers were branching out into areas other than rice
farming. Vegetable raising was especially productive since
the proximity of the Mekong River gave them a dependable
water supply. He was happy that he had been able to acquire
five tractors and twenty water pumps to put at their dis-
posal. He said that his philosonhy at the moment was to
only give the peOple what they told him they wanted. He
would always try to do everything possible to help them
accomplish their aims. This county official was very popu-
lar with the villagers and by looking at his plans for roads,
electricity, and water one can easily see why.

35. One of the government officials of Sri Chiengmai
took us to the village of Nong Baa Bak which grew some of
the best vegetable crops I had seen in Thailand. The reason
for the success of this particular garden could be found in
one very interesting object: a windmill. We interviewed
five families who were working together on this project.
They had gotten the idea for the windmill from Kasetsart
Agriculture College. The windmill itself stood at least
seven meters high. It was joined with a conventional
hand pump and a pipe led from it to a large water tank.

The wind was light but it still was able to produce a

trickle of water. The government had provided the families
with the materials for the windmill and also a gasoline

motor to pump water from an additional well. These fam-

ilies were raising eight different kinds of vegetables all
year long. Most of their produce was sold across the river
in Vientiane, the capital of Laos. One of the villagers
provided an interesting comment. He said that when he had
planted rice he had only had to work a few months of the

year but now he had to work all of the time on his vegetables.
He had more money now but he had to work for it. He wasn't
sure if it was worth it. He certainly enjoyed his new pros-
perity but looking back, he had also enjoyed his leisure time.

36. Our next interview was in the village of Baa Sak
where the Government Health Department had set up a project

11116

for tha yoing women of the village. The young girls had
been divided into knitting and sewing classes which special—
ized in purses, dresses, and baby clothes. They were also
being instructed in homemaking and home sanitation. We
talked to the girl who had been elected the head of her
class. She expressed the satisfaction she derived from

this kind of endeavor and spoke of an increase in commu—
nity spirit and self worth among her peers. She felt it

was having a very beneficial effect on her family and cer-
tainly on the whole villa2e and that she and the others
would continue with these classes and make them a continuous
part of their village's education.

March 7, 1968

37. It was our objective to cover the newly completed
water purification complex in the villages of Nong Sawan
and Don ca. The new water tank would furnish clean water
for more than 200 families. Since well water in the area
was not fit to drink, this project fulfilled a definite
need. The villagers had potten to2ether to draw up the
project themselves. They had then reported to the government,
telling it what they wanted and what assistance they would
be able to provide themselves. After this, they had col-
lected sixty baht per family to aid in the purifier's con-
struction. An interview with the village headman explained
to us how it had been made and how it now functions.. Every
family in the villa2es provided five baht per month* for the
gas used by the motors and also for the maintenance of the
equipment. Most of the peOple were raising vegetables be-
cause of the year-round water supply. Before this, there
was never enou2h water for both crOps and family consumption.

38. The final county to be covered was Tha Boo. In
the city of Tha boo we interviewed an army major who headed
the county's Community DevelOpment Department which ran
an extremely complete civic action program. .Its projects
included building roads; digging wells; and raising pigs,
chickens, ducks, ve2etables, and tobacco. Vientiane, Laos
was the major market for these goods, of which the tobacco
is said to be the best in the area. The civic action group
travels throughout the county to provide assistance in the
form of clothes, blankets, and medical aid to the needy.
Villagers commented on the effects of this work in their area.
They were Prateful that the government was takin2 a posture
of involvement because they were convinced that previously
no one cared much about what was happenin2 to them. They now
felt that they were being listened to and 2iven help when
they needed it. The Community DevelOpment Department was
doing an excellent job of makin2 aid available to the people.

111

March 12, 1968

39. The village of Na Bee Jaaj is located in a highly
sensitive area of Ubon Province. While there, we stayed
with the Thai army unit which had erected a small camp within
the village. When we arrived everyone was busy making fences,
planting floweres, and cleaning under their houses because
Na Ree Jaaj was being turned into a model village. One model
house had been constructed by the army for peOple to see and
possibly copy. While interviewing the village headman, he
explained how persons from all over the country had heard of
their village and were coming to see how it was done and to
receive their helpful advice. One of their unique projects
was to make a cement basin under each home to collect rain
water. They were very proud of their accomplishments and
were especially pleased with their increased status. The
villagers were also thankful for the ideas and support they
were receiving from the army. They were surprised that the
little things they did made such a big difference in the
appearance of their village.

#0. We then interviewed a young girl who had Just re-
turned from Taiwan where whe had studied under the auspices
of the Joint Technical Assistance Committee in the field of
community development (USOM had financed the trip). She
told us of the many things she had been introduced to that
she was applying to her village. About eighty people were
working with her in everything from agriculture and librar-
ies to sport tournaments and making items for village fairs.
She said she would be glad to help with anything she saw
that the peOple needed. The government had already provided
her with various money grants for her village activities.
Villagers felt all they needed was an organizer. They liked
to work on many different projects but could never come up
with any new ideas. The diversity of these new classes pro-
vided them with ways to spend their leisure time. This had
given many of them a new outlook on life since utilization
of free hours had been one of their major concerns.

#1. Next, we taped an interview with the head of the
village volunteer force in the village of Naa Bee Jaaj.
About 160 men (80% of the village) met and discussed what
kind of work they felt needed to be done in their village.
They decided that they would receive no salary but would
rather work for the benefit of all. To date they had built
new roads, dug new wells, and constructed a new temple for
their area. These activities had sprung from a genuine con.
cern on the part of the peOple for community betterment.
They had carefully chosen their own projects and had then
spent the necessary time and energy to complete them.

112

March 13, 1968

#2. After arriving in the village of Naa Sa Ad, we
found that the Advanced Rural DevelOpment unit had just pro-
vided 20,000 baht for the construction of a huge new reser-
voir which they were trying to complete before the rains
started. The village headman explained the benefits he felt
would come from this project. Many villagers had begun
raising animals since they would have enough water for craps
and outside activities. He also explained how his peOple
had expressed a need for a new road. No money had been
given by the government, but seventy men a day offered
their services and did the work completely by themselves.
They now had toilets in almost every house and a new temple
was also under construction. Future planning for the vil-
lage was being done with the help of the head of the MDU
unit. He had provided a core with a village planner, a
doctor, an agriculturalist, and a community develOper who
would act as resource persons. The ten acre reservoir
previously mentioned was their biggest project to date.

#3. In the village of Khum Ka, we interviewed per-
sons about how the army had helped them construct roads and
toilets, move houses and make a reservoir. A sense of ac-
complishment was felt after their first project was com-
pleted. This seemed to prompt them to build a new temple
and also to make plans for a new school. In addition,
villagers had sought advice on fertilization and increased
crap production. They expressed definite positive changes
in their village setting and almost could not understand
why they had not previously done these types of activities.
They felt that if they could do it then there should be
no reason why other villages should not try.

#4. After leaving Amnat Charoen County, we travelled
to Pa Tiu, a new county in Ubon Province, where we inter-
viewed the headmen of 811 Taan, Tao Hai, and Baa Ga Jaaj.
This was the first instance of them ever doing anything to-
gether. Their project was the construction of a road that
involved about 200 villagers a day. It seemed that they
had heard of the successes of other villages and felt that
they should also try it. This sense of competition as it
develOped in the village situation.was an interesting
phenomenon to observe. They seemed to be surprised at the
work they were able to produce and had ambitiously gone
to the government for help on crOp production and for a
plan to bring in electricity.

March 15, 1968
#5. This interview dealt with a DevelOping Democracy

113'

Program in the village of Raj Kii where we met with sixteen
men from seven villages who had divided their work into nine
different development areas. Mr. Tong San from Bangkok
explained the objectives of this seminar. He felt the

main purpose was to get peOple to use their own initiative
to work to ether and help themselves. The participants
explained 0 us what they had been studying and how they felt
they could apply it in their villages. The interview con-
tained much of the I'how to do it' type of material that is
so essential to obtain community involvement. They were
enthusiastic about their new knowledge and were eager to
return home to try it out. The program in which they had
participated would prove to be an invaluable aid as a

source of ideas and information.

April 9, 1968

#6. Our first interview was with Naj Ganwan, the
head of the Agra-Business Organization in Sawang Daen Din,
who explained to us how this farmers' co-Op had been formed.
Villagers had been introduced to chicken, pig and cattle
raising which had not only increased incomes but had raised
the level of nutrition. They were in the midst of a fer-
tilizer campaign for which Advanced Rural DevelOpment had
provided coordination by setting up buying facilities in
Bangkok. This had enabled members of Agra-Business to buy
at cost. Credit accounts had also been established. Far-
mers took the fertilizer and used it on their crOps and only
after the harvest was completed did they pay their bills.
There were over 800 peOple in this co-op and Naj Ganwan
felt that this number could easily double in the near future.
Farmers we talked to were amazed when thirty bags of rice
per man doubled to sixty with the use of fertilizer. Naj
Gawan was travelling throughout the country trying to set
up similar organizations in order to squeeze the middle man
out of the agriculture business.

#7. Our next interview came from the local gngmgj, which
in Thailand is a medical facility much like a hospital except
that it has more to offer the community. Whereas the peOple
go to a hospital for help, the anamaj (similar’ to the
Mobile Medical Unit) goes to the people to give help. The
gggmgj is also instrumental in treating the cause of the
problem. For example, the head doctor, Dr. Anan, explained
to us how they would go to a village that is knolnfto have
an unsanitary water supply and chlorinate the water for them.
Dr. Anan divided his staff into groups that covered the nine
surrounding districts twice a month. He coordinated this
activity with a Civic Action Group. An American air force
doctor was also on hand each day to provide qualified help.

114

Dr. Anan explained how there was no charge for their services
if the patients cannot effort it. He then proceeded to give
instructions on how he could be contacted for help. Someone
was on duty all day, every day, and facilities are an.hand
for all types of maladies including leprosy. Interviewing
nurses and patients confirmed the good work of this center.
They appreciated a facility that would come to them when
they were unable to travel.

#8. The next stop we made was in the village of Khok
311 where we interviewed the head of a village water project.
The government had helped provide funds for a huge water
tank. A chlorinator had been installed and only the motors
and pumps remained to be put together. Money had been col-
lected from the villagers in order to buy gas and oil to
run the complex. The village also provided most of the
labor. With government information, they had installed
their own generator to provide electricity during the evening
hours. It was completely village run and maintained. Every-
one was extremely proud of their accomplishments since they
were the only village in their area to have these amenities.
Other villages had already expressed their admiration and
had asked how they too could develop their own plans. The
peOple of Khok 811 were more than willing to provide this in—
formation, thereby acting as resource persons.

#9. This time our interview came from the village of
Chiang where we talked with the head of the district execu-
tive organization which is the first of its kind in Thailand.
Each of the seventeen villages in the district had selected
one man to represent it. These men were meeting to discuss
the needs of their villages. Whatever they decided on they
tried to accomplish through their own efforts. This idea
had caught on so well that there are now fifty-three organ-
izations like this in Thailand which were all set up with
government assistance. The village of Chiang was the only
one that did it on its own. They have provided at least
forty per cent of the necessary funds for all of their proj-
ects. The rest has come from the government. All labor was
provided by the villagers who had already completed a new
temple and school. They were extremely proud that they were
the first to develop this concept. Each representative would
return to his village to coordinate activities and answer
questions his neighbors may have.

50. Interviews of the U. S. trade fair representatives.

April 2a, 1968

This was our first interviewing trip to Kosum Pisai
County where government officials turned out to be extremely

115

helpful. Our first story came from the Agricultural Center
for the county where the head of the Center explained its
function to us. various pilot crops,such as tobacco and
vegetables, had already been planted. Pigs, chickens, and
Brahman cattle were also being raised. Villagers were
constantly coming in for help in crOp raising and to obtain
seeds and fertilizers. A pump and water tank complex had
been constructed to provide a constant water supply. A
veterinarian was on hand to help villagers with their sick
stock. A breeding station had been constructed which offered
its services free of charge. As a matter of fact, all the
facilities present were free of charge for the villagers

in the county. Villagers felt that having all of these
pilot projects in their area had enabled them to not only
receive new ideas but to follow up on projects once initi-
ated. Some land not suitable to rice farming had provided
fertile ground for other commodities. This had enabled many
of them to build new houses and to travel more.

52. Chicken raising had yet to make much progress in
the county. Because of this, we travelled to the vildage of
Khum Sung to cover a project that could help to introduce
chicken raising into the area. Our interviewee was born
in Central Thailand but had travelled throughout the North-
east. While in Kosum Pisai, he had noticed the absence of
a good chicken farm. He then decided to settle in that area
and develOp a business of his own. There were 2,000 chickens
in cages under his house of which 1700 were fryers and 300
were layers. He was also starting to breed his own chicks.
He mentioned that it takes him only three months to produce
a fryer for selling. He then discussed what he felt was
necessary to raise good chickens: adequate caging; prOper
medicine, food mixing, and lighting. He said that fifty
peOple had already come to see how the raising was done and
that he was happy to give them any advice they needed. Many
had begun to start their own farms. He had not planted rice
since starting to work with chickens. Most of his problems
had come in finding the right food mixture but he predicted
a bright future for his project.

53. From there we proceeded to cover the local girls'
training group whose activities included home economics
classes, sewing classes, cooking classes, and sports tour-
naments. Forty students were being instructed two Kosum
Pisai teachers. We interviewed one of the teachers as well
as the head of the students' group. Many of the girls had
already started their own sewing shops thereby acting as
willing disseminators of the knowledge they had received.
The county official had sent a notice to all the surrounding
villages to spread the word about these classes. They were
free of charge and the response had been excellent. Points
and grades were given as incentives but the girls felt they
did not need them. They were just happy to be able to acquire

116

a trade and establish a profitable business. One of the
girls explained that although the girls were being given
a great Opportunity, the ultimate benefit would be felt
by the community.

5#. A very important interview was conducted in the
village of Chiang Kang where a farmer had just completed
planting his second crop of rice. This was the only project
of its kind in the province. His fields were along the edge
of the Naam See River where four large pumps were pro-
viding the water supply. The neighboring farmers were all
waiting to see if it would be a successful crop. If it was,
they would imitate their neighbor and obtain any help he
would offer. Villagers said this past year‘most of them
had raised jute. The price was bad so this second cr0pping
of rice may provide the incentive they needed to branch out
into something more profitable. The government had provided
the rice seedlingé for this experiment and was willing to
help others who would be able to double crOp their land.
This would mean farmers would have money coming in throughout
the year.

April 26, 1968

55. The head of the county's Soil Development Unit
provided us with a very unusual interview which dealt with
mushroom raising. Mushrooms are now selling for almost one
hundred baht per kilogram which may be enough to provide the
incentive for peOple to try their hand at raising them. Mr.
Tonjan explained to us how he constructed a large thatched
building behind his house. Various sized sections of wood
were set inside this building which was kept completely
dark and constantly dampened with a sprinkling system. In
this musty atmosphere the mushrooms started to form on the
tree trunks. Mr. Tonjan was holding seminars with villagers
to explain how they too could construct their own mushroom
making I'machine". The ideas for this and for the project
explained in the next interview were completely his own.

56. Our second interview was even more unusual than
the first. Mr. Tonjan said that he had looked hard for
something that peOple could raise and eat all year. He
felt that fish tookftoo long and so, frogs seemed to be the
answer. The first job was to construct a huge waterless
reservoir and next, 3,000 female frogs were placed within its
perimeter to lay their eggs. Nylon screening was used for
fencing and a sheet metal awning was placed on the fence
so that the frogs could not jump out. Sufficient water
was placed in the area to enable the frogs to have enough to
drink. An ingenious system of light bulbs extended over

117-

the area at night. Flies and bugs were attracted to the
lights and in turn, were eaten by the frogs. Frogs always
command a good price in the market because no one was then
raising them. The going price was then twenty-two baht per
kilogram which was more than chicken.. Mr. Tonjan was also
conducting seminars with villagers as to how this project
could be started. He proved to be an extremely valuable
resource person in his village.

5?. Our final interview came from the elementary
school in Kosum Pisai. All of the villagers we had spoken
to had asked us if we had visited their school. They seemed
to be very proud of its reputation. We were given a grand
tour by the headmaster who was gracious enough to give us an
interview. The school had 18 teachers and 580 students in
grades one through four. The headmaster wanted it to be a
model school. One huge room was filled with rocks, coins,
birds, smakes, antiques, puppets, animals, marine objects,
Thai instruments, maps, Buddhist objects, and historical
studies. The students had tested among the highest in the
Northeast. Ninety-five per cent of last year's students had
passed their government tests. The students kept the
grounds neat and clean. They were also famous for their
dancing and theater shows that are given to raise funds for
the school. They have obtAined an excellent set of musical
instruments in this manner. The headmaster felt that the
key to their success was the fact that the community was
deeply involved in the school itself. He was especially
proud to have teachers from all over the province come to
see how the school was run and to talk to him about his
educational philosophy. He was most willing to act as
an agent of change for the betterment of the Thai public
school system.

May 1#, 1968

58. In the village of $11 Muk we interviewed an«
especially progressive teacher who was introducing new
farming methods to villagers. He was also head of what
would be equivalent to our #-H Club. He very much wanted
to popularize plants that could flower and give fruit through-
out the year. This includes papaya, jackfruit, guava, and
limes. He had developed a large plot of land where he was
raising each of these as well as many others. There were
eighty lime trees alone on his plot. Under his house he
had 500 chickens with which he earned a profit of 3,000
baht a month. These are unheard of statistics for rural
Northeast Thailand. His advice was to have peeple make
good use of their free time. His typical day included
teaching school in the morning, checking in on his farm,

118’

working in his government office, and then going out into
surrounding areas to introduce new farming methods. He
was happy to offer bits of easy advice for farmers to fol-
low. He frequently held meetings with villagers to deal
with their problems. He felt that by having them visit
his model farm they might continue on their own. In any
case, he was at their disposal.

59. We then travelled to the village of Come Paa Laaj
where we interviewed the local government official about
his new electricity project. This official had visited
various villages and had noticed how convenient electricity
was for their residents. He then held a village meeting
after which plans were soon made. The villager cut and
erected all of the light poles themselves, and the govern-
ment furnished the rest of the equipment. The electricity
was furnighinE0125 families with a light source. Each family
had provided 0 baht for the initial cost and was then
paying 5 baht per mOnth as an operational fee. They men-
tioned that the kerosene lamps they had previously used had
cost them over 20 baht per month. The fact that they could
have electricity whenever they wished was felt to be a great
asset.

I‘léfltie. -..A' :- -—.n. r

 

May 28, 1968

60. This trip provided us with a very unuaual inter-
view which, for lack of a more apt description, I have
called a “natural gas" project. A farmer had constructed a
capped tank and buried it in his back yard. From the tank,
a length of plastic hose led to his house and was connected
to a perforated metal plate inserted into a Thai-type hibachi.
He used this stove in the morning and evening. In the tank
he mixed ten parts of buffalo and cattle manure with fifteen
parts of water. He then capped the tank and let nature take
its course. The gas coming from the tank was constant and,
more important, free of charge. The complete installation
had cost 1,200 baht. He felt that his initial investment
would be mad up within a year since the price of charcoal
was constantly increasing. A plan for the tank had been
drawn up for distribution and could be obtained through
the community develcpment worker. The idea had come from
a very helpful community develcpment seminar the farmer
had attended in Mahasarakham. This was yet another example
of the productive nature of these seminars.

61. The local farmers' group of this village had also
formed a co-Op in order to find new ways to increase their
crOp yield. Twenty peOple in the village of Maj Glon were
members of this group. The local government had helped in

119

obtaining fertilizer and new gardens were springing up
throughout the village. CrOps were averaging one and one-
half times as large as before fertilizer was introduced.
Two years ago, the farmer We interviewed had obtained #00
bags of rice from his land, but last year, it was almost
700 bags. He mentioned that one of the best things that
the CO-Op had done for him was to sell fertilizer for two
baht a kilogram. This was one-half of what it would have
cost if purchased in the market.

62. Our next stOp was at the local temple to interview
the head monk of the village. Villagers felt that he was
the best organizer in the area and that he had done the most »e
to bring innovations into their hamlet. The priest spoke
of his efforts in planning a new temple, meeting hall, roads,
wells, reservoir, and sanitation facilities. All these I
were constructed entirely by the villagers. Thirty men a
day reported to the priest and he put them to work. He
felt this process helped to bring villages together and
fostered an esprit g2 corps among villagers.

 

 

63. Our next stOp was the village of Tawn to observe Eve
the building of a road that would connect this village to
the county of Amnat Charoen. At the time of our arrival,
they were working on the section in front of the local school.
Every student in the school was in front carrying rocks and
dirt. We interviewed the headmaster and two bf his students.
The idea for completing the road had come fron students who
wanted to make trips into the neighboring county. With the
new road, it would only take them a fraction of the time to
travel. They had already planned trips to the agriculture
station and breeding farm to visit the animals.

6#. In the village of Hua Done, we made another inter-
view concerning road building. The new road connected Hua
Done with the village of Pone. The local official explained
to us how he had organized his villagers to help. His phil-
osOphy was: 'If you have no money, you have to learn to help
each other.‘ One of the villagers contributed land worth
2,000 baht in orderlfor the throughway to be completed. He
said that if one sick person were saved by being able to
reach a doctor in time, then the road would be well worthwhile.
He told the village council that if they would do a good job,
they could gladly have his land. They had both come through
with flying colors.

65. After travelling to the village of Phana, we inter-
viewed the principal of the local school who was also the
head of the Farmers' Co-Operative for the county. He ex-
plained how the group was organized and how it helped the
farmer. Over 100 separate groups had been brought to form
this organization which contained over 1500 members. The

120

fertilizer they sell is guaranteed by the government. They
are beginning to help raise more animals, vegetable gardens,
and fruit. Advanced Rural Development has also helped the
organization by helping to dig walls. In addition, the
headman built a huge fish pond on the school grounds. He
intended to use this pond to show the villagers how to make
their own. Advanced Rural Development had provided #,000
baht for the project which included 1,200 fish with which
to stock the pond. None of these fish had been sold but
rather ten families had been given one hundred fish a piece
to start their own ponds. The headman will continue to

do this as long as there are villagers who want to raise
their own fish. This will not only save them money and
improve their diets but it will enable many to supplement
their income.

66. At the village of Khum Jaaj, we covered the story
of a huge reservoir complex that had just been completed.
Interviewing the village headman, he eXplained how the vil-
lagers had previously been restricted to planting only
rice because of insufficient rainfall. Each of the 165
families in his village had been assessed 5O baht in order
to have funds to begin the project. The county had de-
signed the dike and valve installation. The village had
provided the rocks and dirt as well as the complete labor
force. Private gardens had become numerous and there was
enough water for all of the animals.

June 3, 1968

67. After arriving in the province capital of Surin
in the district of Kho Kho, we interviewed the village head-
man who shared with us the news of community development in
his area. He told us how seventeen villages had been brought
together to make a new road and a village meeting center.
PeOple seemed to be becoming more and more active as progres-
sive innovations were introduced. They understood that they
were helping to help themselves and that was very important
to them. There appeared to be a tremendous difference in
their attitudes now that they were being kept busier raising
animals and tobacco in addition to their regular rice crOp.
They felt more successful and their self concept was stronger
since they did not have to worry about money for a large
part of the year.

68. In the village of Ra Mural we interviewed Colonel
Chawalit, head of the Surin Mobile DevelOpment Unit, who
explained the functions of his organization. He wanted to
see men in the army try to accomplish more constructive pur-
poses than fighting. To this end, he has used his unit to

\

\
‘l

 

121

aid surrounding villages in any way possible. In the past
two years, the unit has built health centers, dug wells,
and constructed roads with the help of villagers. A new
school had been built and they were working on a center

for teaching various vocational skills. A villager would
study four months under the guidance of the MDU which would
provide everything from food to Clothes for these students.
In the near future, three demonstration villages were to be
built in Sak Peng, Gatien Sat, and Mane Dom. Four had al-
ready been completed. The purpose of these villages was

to have peOple in the surrounding areas see what could be
accomplished thereby providing the incentive for them to

do it themselves. So far the response had been tremendous. ry-
Everyone appreciated the great change in their villages 3
after the renovations took place. *

69. The government official of the district of Sawai i
provided us with our next interview. He explained how 3
peeple used to spend two days travelling to Surin but that i
with newly built roads, the trip had been shortened to a
matter of hours. His villages were extremely prosperous
since ninety per cent of their crOps were harvested. In- +_.
terest in community develOpment projects seemed unlimited.

This official had just organized 100 people to help beautify
their villages by tree planting. A new market was under
construction and 10,000 baht had been collected for a res-
ervoir. Bringing in electricity was to be the next big project
and I was amazed to learn that this village was not interested
in wooden light poles. They had purchased a form and were
making their own cement light poles. They seemed to feel that
if you wanted something done right you should do it yourself.

 

70. While interviewing the community develcpment head
for Surin, we learned of a bridge being built over the Nam
Chii River at the village of Poy Durn. This bridge would join
the provinces of Surin and Buriram between which the only pre-
vious link had been the railroad. The bridge was 90 meters
long, 8 meters wide, and 13 meters high. Over two million
baht was being spent on this project with many government and
village organizations working together to aid in its comple-
tion. Villagers on both sides spoke about effects they felt
it would have. Easy access to markets was the first thing
they mentioned along with the possibility of visiting family
and friends.

71. Our final interview was with the headman of the vil-
lage of Ra Mural who had held his position for twenty-two
years. He proceeded to tell us how the Mobile DevelOpment
Unit had introduced him to fish raising. He seemed to be the
only one for miles around who was engaged in this activity.
The way he sent about it was what made this interview inter-
esting. He had taken sixteen §§j_of his rice fields and

I221

stocked them with 2,200 fish given to him by the MDU, What
made this unique was that he still planted rice in them. He
said the fish swam through the rice just like it was home.
He caught as many of them as he could before the water evap-
orated and any that were not caught before evaporation made
excellent fertilizer. The type of fish he was raising
brought twenty baht a kilogram, making a tremendous profit
for anyone interested. He had already started to give sem-
inars on the feasibility of this for others. He felt it
could do much to counteract nutritional deficiencies in the
Northeast. He said he was more than willing to help anyone
who would like to start their own project.

June 3, 1968 E

72. By interviewing three students from Hue Talang
County, we learned of the effects an abbot's guidance was
having on their village. The monk in the village of Maj
Chamuk had started night classes for those who had to work
during the day; had built a new school, temple, library; and
had started a local youth group. These three boys were mem-
bers of that group who had been selected to learn how to
run the village library. Donations given to the priest were
turned into books that were passed out free of charge to vil-
lage students. The student youth group had already con-
structed village roads and bridges. A reservoir had also
been completed. The village seemed to have no robbery prob-
lems and this was also attributed to the good influence of
the head abbot. The boys mentioned that before the abbot
came, the villagers did not seem to be interested in commu-
nity develOpment. They felt that through his direction,
however, much had been done to better their community. It
was their Opinion that once peOple saw the positive results
of their first project, others were certain to follow.

 

 

 

 

73. This interview dealt with a young girls' club in
the village of Boot Jaaj in Sungnoen County. Three girls
were at that time attending a seminar in Korat to help
them teach their group arts and crafts. One of the natural
resources of their area was a type of fiber that comes from
a tree. Over the years, many of their mothers had made
doormats, handbags, coasters, and a type of fly swatter that
looks to us much like a horse's tail. The girls were in the
process of teaching these crafts to the larger group in order
to continue the art and also to start a business. In addition,
they were teaching the use and production of dyes, the prepara—
tion of food, and techniques of sewing. The girls were very
happy that there was a market for their goods and also that
they were preserving what could have been a lost art.

123

7#. The community development official of Sungnoen,
Mr. Wiwat, gladly shared with us his phiIOSOphy on village
betterment. He felt that you must show a villager how some-
thing will affect him before you can expect him to do it for
himself. He said that the introduction of self-contained
toilets was his biggest problem since many villagers had
no idea why they were important. Trying to visualize micro-
scOpic germs was the first hurdle to cross. With the help
of the local medical unit, special classes had been held
which initiated the construction of not only toiletes but
houses, roads, and wells. Fertilizer had been introduced
but this was something else the villagers had to see before
accepting. By raising crops at the county's agriculture kg
station, villagers could see the difference between the last i
two yearS! crops. After this demonstration, almost all of i
the farmers in the area were using fertilizer to increase i
their yields. E

 

June 5, 1968

75. Before leaving Korat, we stOpped to interview the
director of the Accelerated Rural Development's headquarters
in the Northeast. Mr. Vidhu explained the goals of ARD
namely that the whole organization was based on the well being
of the villagers and was there as a facility ready to meet
their needs. He then proceeded to give a detailed descrip-
tion of how his organization works. This gave us a good pic-
ture of the changes he felt a village would undergo during
the process of modernization. Easier access to markets,
constant water supply, and better crOp 'yields were some of
points mentioned.

June 13, 1968

76. Based on information received from ARD, we trav-
elled to the village of Dong Jang, Muu Mon District, Udorn
Province. There we interviewed Mr. Manat, the headmaster of
the village's newly constructed school. There were forty-
nine families in the village of Don Jang and it seemed each
one of them was interested in the building of the school.
The villagers had obtained the lumber from a nearby forest.
With the help of a 1,500 baht donation from Air America
and a crew from Advanced Rural DevelOpment, they erected
the building in less than a week. This proved to be quite
an event for the village since they had been saving money
and wood for the past three years in order to build this
school. The villagers had also started construction of a
road leading from their village to the main Udorn/Nongkhai

12#-

highway. The governor happened to notice the work they
were doing and was much impressed. Because of this, he
notified ARD and the village was aided in the construction
of the excellent all weather road that makes the selling
of their goods a much easier process. It was mentioned
that all the peOple who gave land for the construction of
the road were very happy to do so. The next project was
to be the building of a new temple. They had already
purchased the bricks and were waiting for the rains to
subside so that they could begin work.

77. A trip to the Border Patrol Police Station
provided us with our next interview. Its director, Colonel
Somkuan, proved to be a most personable officer who ex- V“
plained that one of the main objectives of the BPP was to
help the peOple of the border areas discover new interests.
This must be done without jolting them out of their old
ways. It was also a primary aim to enable villagers to
understand their government. According to him, the way
to do this was through the educational process which meant
schools. The Border Police had already built thirty-three
schools and had staffed them with their own men. The
Colonel felt that only by living' with the villagers and
becoming one of them could we hope to win them over. He
believed that the only way you can change the minds of
the communists, for example, was to prove to them that the
Thai government was willing to help the Thai peeple. He
also mentioned that the Queen Mother was very much inter-
ested in this type of work. Several Queen Mother schools
had already been established and the newest one was to be
constructed in the village of Puu Pang Maa, Nakorn Phanom
Province. The work of the Border Patrol Poliice in that
area was multi-faceted. They taught, gave out clothing,
provided medical care, and offered protection to the vil-
lagers. The Colonel offered numerous examples of how his
men were getting along with the people. When it came time
to move a man out of a border area, he was swamped with
letters and visitors asking that his be given permission
to stay. He felt that working at this grass roots level
had its definite advantages.

 

June 19, 1968

78. The county official was extremely helpful in
providing us with story leads. Our first interview was
held in the village of Nong Goon where the head of the
village's cattle raising group told of how the county had
helped him with his endeavor. He was one of four men sent
to Udorn to study cattle breeding so that they could com-
petently act as village resource persons. He had initially

125

purchased nine cows for 1900 baht and was then the proud
owner of twenty-one animals. The county had given him a
bull for breeding and he already had ten heifers. His vil-
lage group was composed Of sixteen members. all of whom
were being helped by the county. From then on, anyone who
wanted to raise cattle could breed his own free of charge
from the new village stock. The new heifers could be sold
for 2,000 baht apiece. Villagers felt that this was a
great Opportunity for them to branch out into new fields
and raise their living standards. This gave them something
to do when they were not planting rice. Many also felt
they would not return to their rice fields because Of the
success they had had with cattle. At that time, the county "_
had nine Of these breeding groups connected with its new 3
cattle program.

79. Taking a somewhat different approach, our next 9
interview was based on the history of Ban Phu County. The 5
county official pleasantly talked about one hundred year old i
temples, footprints of Buddha, Lao-type fairs, sacred areas é
with water running all year, and contemporary county activ- 2
ities. His most important project was a road leading from
the village of Phu to $11 Chiengmai County. Chicken and
cattle raising had also been introduced as well as a com-
plete water system serving the surrounding villages.

 

80. At the village of Dong Waeng we interviewed the
head of the farmers' cooperative that served as an organ-
ized core of thirteen families which was equipped to aid
all members. Their newest acquisition was a pump for
irrigation purposes. They could Obtain fertilizer for
two baht a kilogram while othenshad to spend three baht in i
the market. They had worked out a program by which they
did not have to pay for their fertilizer until their crops
were sold. The government had recently sent them to Ubon
for a seminar on new rice farming methods and their crops
had increased two-fold by applying these methods. Vil-
lagers felt there was excellent cOOperation between the
county rice Official and the farming OOOperative. They
attributed much of their success to this OOOperation.

June 20, 1968

81. After arriving in the village Of Khaw Seen, we
proceeded to cover the work of the Thai National Security
Command. Our first interview dealt with the local health
center where we taped comments from the doctor and nurse.
They had done much to introduce cleanliness into the vil-
lage. Obtaining clean water and constructing toilets had
been their main Objectives. The villagers were interested

126-

because the new health center had been constructed for
their use. They were frequently brought together to
discuss common problems. If patients had money, they
were asked tO help defray the cost of their medication

but if they had none, they were helped free of charge.

The United States Overseas Mission helped to provide much
of the medicine used. The nurse told how she travelled to
surrounding villages to give assistance when it was needed.
She also explained the aims and Objectives of her work.
Any money collected from medicine sales was used to buy
beds and sheets for the medical center. When she saw
people do as she had instructed them, she felt that they
must be interested in bettering themselves.

82. Our next interview concerned the actual work of
the National Security Command in the village of Khaw Seen.
The N80 advisor toldhow his radio was used for communication
and protection purposes. A complete playground and a new
school were constructed for the village children. A tele-
vision was placed in the middle of the town square and
was a source Of entertainment and information each evening
for everyone. One of the most helpful aids was the building
of a new road joing the village and the county seat. The
village headman reinforced the value of this work by telling
how much the village appreciated it. He spoke of the Old
days when there were no stores in the village and it cost
twenty baht to get to the county seat. Thanks to the new
road, many new stores were Open and it took only two baht
for transportation to the county seat. He mentioned instan-
ces in which sick peOple were significantly aided by the
NSC's presence. Khaw Seen had definitely felt the impact
Of the NSC as a source Of aid.

83. After leaving Ban Phu County, we stOpped at the
government's agriculture station in the village of N11 Khom.
About 12,500 ggj of land was parcelled to 200 peOple from
the surrounding villages with the aim of increasing crop
yields. There was no charge for the help they were given.

8#. This interview dealt with the cattle breeding
station in Chieng Wang District just Off the main Udorn/
Nongkhai road. This station had positioned its peOple in
each county to act as veterinarians and had also maintained
contact between villages and the station. ARD had helped
in backing this endeavor which was then active in Taphra,
Loey, Nongkhai, Udorn, Sakon Nakorn, and Nakorn Phanom.

The center was constructed to increase both the quality and
quantity of livestock in the Northeast. It also was trying
to improve methods of raising livestock through feeding,
breeding, selection, and management. The head Of the station
told how the production of forage crOps and the preservation
of feed for the dry season was accomplished. It was his aim

127

to establish demonstration farms for the villagers. He
was breeding special strains of American Brahmans that
could easily be mixed with the local cattle. This breed
was not hard to care for and could be fed available
vegetation. He was of the opinion that this could be a
great incentive for the area,

June 2#, 1968

85. On Wednesday morning we were in the village of
Nong Na Ngong in Kambong District, Kuchinarai County where
we linked up with the government's Mobile Medical Unit.
Four doctors and their staff were present giving out help‘to
25# villagers during the two hours we were there. Patients
were interviewed about the treatment that was being offered
them. They were happy to have medical facilities visit them
since it was so hard to travel when they were ill.

 

86. In the village Of Coot Siem, the headman explained
to us the preparations that had been made to bring elec-
tricity into his village. Students were helping to provide
the labor force that would ultimately serve the three
adjoining villages. He also spoke of a water problem that
seemed to be prevalent throughout the area. The government
had given 10,000 baht for the construction Of a local dam
which was almost completed. The villagers furnished both
the labor and the extra money to finish the job. They
seemed to be well aware Of the implications of this project
but could not imagine what it would be like to have a con-
stant supply of water. This was something they had not
experienced in their lifetime.

 

June 25, 1968

87. Our next stOp was the village Of Dong Muu in
Khum Gaw District where we interviewed the school principal
and talked about the work done in his area. Wells had been
drilled and five kilometers of road had been completed.
He had enlisted the services of thirty villagers a day to
complete the work.

88. In the same village, we also interviewed a
teacher and a student from the village's adult education
class. Our student was thirty-one years Old but the others
ranged from fifteen to seventy-fiVe years old. Six months
before, he could neither read nor write above the early
elementary level. He had just passed his secondary education
tests with excellent grades. TO prove his ability, he read

128

us a magazine article and did not miss a word. The teacher
seemed just as proud. He spoke of other villagers who had
attended the program. Many of them had experienced the joy
of being able to express themselves through reading and
writing.

89. While in the village of Na Wii, we also inter-
viewed the principal of the village school who had been
teaching there for twenty years and was very active in
community projects. It was through his direction that a
new school had been erected. The government contributed
30,000 baht for its construction. When the peOple saw that
this was not going to be enough money, they matched this
sum and built it themselves, including the surrounding
roads. They seemed to be dedicated to providing good
educational facilities for their children. Since help was
needed, they had all pitched in without question. It
was viewed as their duty.

 

June 26, 1968 r

90. The area around the village of Goot Waa is es-
pecially interesting since everyone speaks the pug thai
dialect. While we taped a representative sample of the
local dramatic music called mg! 153, at least two hundred
peOple gathered to view the proceedings. Both a man and
a woman who made their living singing mgg.lgg_were inter-
viewed concerning their feelings on the subject. They saw
themselves as purveyors of information throughout the rural
culture. They enjoyed travelling, viewing the village
community, and observing the changes therein. This led
into an interview of a villager who told how the water
problem was challenged in his area. The government fur-
nished the funds and the villagers supplied the workers.
This village and the adjoining one of Nong Hang seemed to
be in a race to see which one could develop the most com-
munity service projects. Goot Waa had already dug eleven
wells to help end its water shortage.

July 19, 1968

91. The primary purpose of this trip was to obtain
an interview with the county official of Wanon Wiwat.
Early last month lightning killed six people in an area
close to the village of Dua. The county official took it
xpon himself to collect food, clothing, and money to dis-
tribute to the bereaved families. Arriving in Wanon Wiwat,
we stopped in to let the county official know we wanted to
cover this story. He was very pleased to see us and

129

suggested that we accompany him on a trip he was making.
The remainder of the day was spent on the road visiting

the new Volunteer Defense Corps in the village of Nong
Waen and the village of Dong Bung. That evening we stayed
at the Mobile Development Unit for Sakon Nakorn in the
village of Guy Rya Cam. There we interviewed the head of
the MDU's agricultural develOpment program. This MDU had
begun to shift its emphasis of endeavor. Instead of planting
various crOps on village land, they constructed a model farm
and encouraged the villagers to visit it and adOpt its
techniques. Corn was last year's big crop and this year
their new introduction was mulberry which was to be used

in silk production. These mulberry plants were planted in
the same field with this year's corn. A section of road
within the compound had been rOped off and mulberry was
planted in the road! The plants were healthy and seemed to
be none the worse for wear. This was one of the ways being
used to convince the villagers that it was not difficult

to raise this type of plant. Because of this, many vil-
lagers were beginning to plant their own. They felt that
if mulberry plants could thrive in the middle of the road,
they could certainly thrive in their fields. Cotton was
also introduced and many farmers seemed to be interested.

 

«l-r j. W
A
.

July 20, 1968

92. Early Saturday morning we were able to interview
a man I had heard quite a bit about but was never able to
locate. Mr. Tanakit was the head of the farmers' group for
all of Northeast Thailand. He had received a USOM grant to
visit Taiwan and a USIS grant to visit the United States.
He explained that he had received many good ideas from these
trips and had tried to apply much of what he had learned to
Northeastern Thailand. He then went into telling us of his
work and responsibilities as head of the Thai farmers' group.
He travelled throughout the country attending farmers'
meetings and listening to their needs.which were then pre-
sented to the government for action. He had been in this
business for six years and gave us a complete picture of
how his organization worked. One of the most useful parts
of this interview was his description of what a village
should do if it wanted to form a farmers' group. He hoped
that many would take the initiative and follow his advice.
Mr. Tanakit's latest service was providing tools, water
pumps and fertilizer for farmers on credit. Nothing had to
be paid until their crOps were sold. His value as an expert
resource person need hardly be stressed.

130

July 10, 1968

93. We were very fortunate that a meeting of the
community develOpment officials of Nong Hang was in prog-
ress when we arrived. 'This enabled us to meet those offi-
cials and select stories in which we were interested. Our
first interview was with the community develOpment official
in Sabeng District whose special project was the planting
of coconut and banana trees in the villages of Na Saaj and
Nam Toad. He felt that the land in this area would be con-
ducive to the planting of these fruits. In a village
meeting, he proceeded to introduce his findings. No one
in that county had ever raised that type of banana (gluaj
hawm) so the farmers were very interested. County officials
then went into the villages to survey the area. The vil-
lagers gave sixteen ggj of their land over to the production
of 800 banana trees. County agricultural officials explained
the methods that should be used in order to raise this type
of fruit and were always ready to answer any of the villagers'
enquiries. If the demonstration proved successful, it
would then be introduced to villages throughout the county.
The same program was being initiated in the village of
Nam Road where about 400 coconut trees were being planted.
Later this year, a reservoir was being planned in Saebaenz
District since water seemed to be a major problem.

94. Our next interview was with the community develOp-
ment officer in Ban Chit District who explained the water
project he was working on in the village of Nong Tua Din.
Here again the major problem was getting water to the fields
of his villagers, After a village meeting articulating this
problem, it was decided to build a reservoir and canal system.
When the peOple discovered that the county would help them,
they all pitched in and provided the labor themselves. Ten
thousand baht was given by the county to aid in the comple-
tion of this project. Six thousand ggj of land was to be
used for planting beans, rice, sugar, and tobacco. Three
fish ponds had already been completed. He felt the people
were interested in what they were doing because they could
see the reSults. It was obvious to him that one project led
into another. Because of all of this activity, a girls'
community development group was created and they were also
extremely active.

95. In Phan Ngam District, the local community

development officer explained to us how his villagers in

Pra Graw had already made all of their own roads and were
then in the process of building a new sala. Since their
village is on a crossroads where peOple wait for the Sakon
Nakorn/Udorn bus, they felt that travelers should have a
resting place. Seven villages got together and made a sala
that would serve that purpose. The county had provided funds

 

1'31?

and the villagers supplied the wood materials and labor.

The community development official asked other villages to
remember the uses of a sale when they considered beautifying
their area. It was easy to construct and extended a basic
courtesy to all those who used it.

96. While in the village of Muang, Nong Hang District,
we stOpped in to interview some girls working in the Udorn
Teacher Training Project. While attending Udorn Teacher
Training College, the students spent their second year
practice teaching. This village had five such student
teachers and we interviewed the head of the group. Their
objectives were to use their knowledge to help students, to
help villagers work together, and to help construct a demon-
stration village. This experience, in turn, showed the stu-
dent teachers what life in a village was really like. Food
and living conditions seemed to be as much of a culture
shock for many of these student teachers as for our Peace
Corps Volunteers. The girls felt this was a necessary
experience for their teaching careers. They also encoun-
tered numerous teaching problems among which were the facts
that many children could not read or did not attend school
regularly. They felt that finding solutions to these prob-
lems was a stimulating experience and that the carryover
could be very significant. The villagers seemed to be hap-
py to have these youn girls and their new ideas in their
homes. They were also amused at the differences they
found in their life styles.

July 11, 1968

97. In Ban Dung District we found the village of Chok
Am Nuaj which had only been established for four years but
had already succeeded in develcping a pride in itself. We
talked to the village committee's representative who exa
plained some of the projects that had been completed. Most
of the peOple raised vegetables but a lot of silk raising
had been introduced. A new temple and wells with pumps were
other improvements accomplished. The temple was the latest
project for which the villagers had provided all the labor.
A new school had also been constructed with county funds
and village labor. It was a good example of how a few
peOple with drive could accomplish in a few years what had
taken others twenty or thirty years to do. The villagers
we talked to seemed very proud of their progressive innova-
tions. They felt it was especially important to do things
for themselves.

98. Our final interview was obtained from the village

132

health centers of Tung Jaaj District and Nong Han District
in Non Han County. The nurse we interviewed in Tung Jaaj
told about the type of work she had been doing for the past
two years at her center which served about 200 peOple each
month. She travelled to various villages to assist in preg-
nancies and to introduce prOper methods of cooking and
hygiene. The nurse in Nong Han then told how her center had
been built through various donations: 15,000 baht from
villagers, 5,000 baht from AID, and 6,000 baht from the
county. The nurse had approximately thirty people a day
come for help. Because Nong Han is located on a major road,
many people travel to this center rather than go to the
hospital in Udorn. Most village diseases are caused by food
and the nurse said that she gave frequent seminars to deal
with this problem. She then explained how peOple could

take advantage of her services.

July 25, 1968

99. Our first stOp was in Ban Glang District where we
found an excellent project using the Mekong River's resources.
A canal stretching over three kilometers had been completed
and water pumped from this canal would irrigate over 6,000
ggj of land in two villages. The county had constructed
a water gate and installed a pump. The villagers had dug
the canal themsleves. Because of this, tobacco was intro-
duced and was to be grown in the off season. Electricity
coming all the way from the Nam Pung Dam would be used to
run the water pump. Villagers stated this was a big advan-
tage since they no longer had to rely on gasoline power.
The next step was to line the canal with cement. From this
main canal, villagers were allowed to make as many branches
as they needed to irrigate their fields. After this, vil-
lagers were planning reservoirs, wells, cattle raising,
vegetables, and roads. The community develcpment felt that
peOple wanted roads most of all. Water was their second
request.

100. The next interview we made was in the village of
Bua, Dong Khwan District, where we talked to the people who
made their livelihood constructing the baskets that are seen
all over the Northeast. The famous 'sticky rice" baskets
were made in this village. They were constructed completely
from green bamboo which meant almost no overhead. Everyone
in the village used to make baskets for his own use. The
village headman felt there was a large market for these
baskets Since the staple food of the Northeast is sticky
rice. Buyers now came with trucks every month to get all
the baskets the villagers could make. He estimated that his
village made over 20,000 baht a year on this venture. Those

13}

who wished to do it full-time could do so. Others still
planted rice and did it on a part-time basis to supplement
their income.

August 2, 1968

101. Our first interview was with the county commu-
nity develcpment official of Phone Pisai, Mr. Manat, who
explained how his work was divided into the areas of
health, occupational, constructional, and educational
assistance. He told us about sixty-three new projects ?”“
being planned for that year, twenty-six of which were to i
be done entirely by the peOple. He described how the 7
county had looked to him five years ago when community L
development was first introduced. Since that time, he had
seen a farmers' group, an agri-business co-op, and numerous .
agricultural projects come into being. The newest projects E
included the planting of 200 coconut trees and the raising é
of twelve §§j_of mulberry bushes to be used in silk produc- 5
tion. Mr. Manet then went on to explain the process villag- '
ers go through to introduce new methods and ideas. Since
he was very conscious of his role as a resource person, it
was his aim to introduce some ideas of his own and to aid
in the communication process. The work itself must be
done by the peOple. ,

.s‘ Farm—F. .

 

102. The headman of the village of Kok Khang in
Sii Champoo District explained to us the type of work being
done in his village. Drinking water was a problem so the
county health center (anamaj) and county community devélOp-
ment group were starting to dig new wells.. After seeing that
they were going to receive assistance, the peOple proceeded
to build their own school, roads, and bridges. The Border
Patrol Police was staffing their school and had also helped
in its construction. A temple was then being built with
village funds. A sala had been constructed and was sur-
rounded by forty newly planted trees. The village was also
in the process of requesting an anamgj so that its people
could have convenient medical attention. Monks from
Bangkok saw what a good job the village was doing and so
two new monks had arrived and were teaching literacy and
religion classes. Over 100 peOple were attending these
classes every Sunday. Villagers seemed to feel they were
receiving more help from these classes than they would by
working in the fields.

 

103. The village headman of Na Khaw in $11 Champoo
District gave us similar information about his village.
They had constructed a new temple, bridge, and gggmgj. The
county police were especially helpful in this particular

 

I34

village. These two interviews clearly showed a mold and
pattern from which villages are made. Temples, roads,
bridges and similar projects could be seen flowing from
community-government effort. Villages were competing to
see how much could be accomplished.

104. Hr. Tawee, the village headman of Nong Ruu Sii
in.Kut Bone District, explained how silk raising was being
introduced into his village. The silk station in the prov-
ince capital of Nongkhai gave them their start. Twenty :31
of mulberries were planted and thirty-three families were
raising silk worms. Years ago families in the area had
raised silk worms, but this was done only for their personal H
use. The county had now brought them together to increase FT
their profits. The county even provided a truck to help
them transport their goods to market.

105. hr. Prasad, the head of the Farmers' Association
of Phone Pisai, provided us with our next interview. Kr.
Prasad was one of the five representatives from the North-
east who served on the National Farmers' Association Board.
A new pump project was being introduced and Advanced Rural :y,
DevelOpment was backing their fertilizer program. He had
twenty-three local farmers' groups under his tutelage and
seven more groups were being formed. One of Mr. Prasad's
happiest boasts was that his land had only produced fifteen
baskets of rice per unit of land but that he was then getting
forty-three baskets through the use of fertilizer. He said
that one could tell the difference Just by looking at the
new color of his fields. The county rice officer, acting
as an effective resource person, had worked very closely
with this group in order to help them increase their yields.
There were 1,330 families enrolled as members of the Phone
Pisai Rarmers' Association. Villagers felt that they had
something to show for their membership. I'Seeing is believing'
was a pepular expression.

 

106. An interesting interview came from the village
headman of Rum Khan Sawang in Serm District. It concerned
a forced meeting instigated by a band of approximately
sixty communists. The head-en's house was surrounded by
this group and two of the villagers were used as hostages.
He was not home at the time but was in the village. The
CT's used his gong to call a meeting which everyone in the
village was forced to attend. The headman, Hr. Tongliem,
was forced to stay hidden in a friend's house to avoid cap-
ture. The evening was spent listening to speeches against
the government and demands for food. The next day, Tongliem
reported to the county immediately for help. The county sent
soldiers and they have been stationed in the village per-
manently since the forced meeting. The village seemed to
have been chosen because of the reputation of Ur. Tongliea.

 

135

He had been picked by the government as a model village
headman.for the work he had done in his area in the field
of community develcpment. 0n the eighth of August he was to
be presented with an award from the Prime Minister for his
service to his people. The villagers look up to him but

he must have constant protection in order to stay in his
village. He was forty years old and that was to be his
first trip to Bangkok.

August 3, 1968

107. After leaving Phone Pisai, we stopped at the
village of Pack Suaj in vat Luang District to see a commu-
nity development project in.action. He arrived in the rain
to find about twenty villagers working on three different
sections of road that would link their village to the main
artery leading to Phone Pisai and Nong Khai. In.the past
the villagers were forced to carry their goods to and from
the market by way of a forest path. Four families had do-
nated pieces of their land in order to make these roads
possible. They felt they could not have made a better
intestment. The village had a new water purifying plant
with a water tank and taps located throughout the village.
Electricity was to be their next big project.

Wednesday, August 1#, 1968

108. Phu Hian is an old county that has one of the
most picturesque settings I have seen in the Northeast. It
is completely surrounded by mountains. The new government
seat has been moved out of the mountains for many years new,
but it has not lost any of the old stillness or beauty.
Unfortunately, the county had yet to receive electricity and
money for special projects was difficult to obtain. An
interview with the county official told us much about life
in PH! Hian. He was a relaxed, happy man.who seemed resigned
te his fate. He had to ride a bicycle to visit villagers.
since his county did not even.have a jeep. The most impor-
tant project he had underway at the moment was providing
fertiliser for his farmers. He felt that it was in this
area that his people needed the most help. They had pre-
viously planted a lot of hemp but when the bottom fell out
of the market, they decided to go back to rice. It was
very difficult for him to receive assistance from the gov-
ernment for his villages and he explained how easy it was for
a quiet, old county to be neglected. There was no humor in
his voice when.he mentioned that a communist terrorist incid-
ent in his area might be all that was needed to bring in

...‘l 4' s9 .. ‘u

 

. _la_ ‘ ._.l."L'\.I-M.V(‘AIP-

I316

money for community development from Bangkok. He said his
county had become famous for its well drilling since the
U. 8. Information Service had given it so much publicity.
As we arrived in the celebrated well drilling village of
Ban Han, we found it to be completely flooded. we then
proceeded to the heart of the county to see a large water
installation whose design was the opposite of the common
machine of its type. The head of the farm we visited had
made a pump that created pressure by pushing air down into
the well rather than sucking it up. By the physics involved,
a much smaller inexpensive pump could be used to bring
water to his fields. Four huge tanks were constantly being
filled and numerous water crooks were scattered throughout
has fields. He was new able to raise vegetables throughout
e year.

August 15, 1968

109. while in Chumpae, we were very lucky to meet
hr. Tang he who had learned his well drilling trade in Phu
Hian. He had moved to Chumpae with 200 baht and now had
his own farm and commanded thousands of baht for each well
he would dig. He was the only man in town who drilled
wells and he did so by hand. He explained the entire pro-
cedure to us and said that it usually took about eight days
to complete a well. Hr. Tang Ha had dug over eighty wells
in the past three years. The average well in his area was
twenty meters deep but he had gone as deep as fifty-seven
meters. Hell drilling had become his full-time occupation.
He was a type of once man army against draught who inspired
the respect of his neighbors who often came to him for help.

110. Hhen.we were in.the village of Nong raj, long
Paj District, we visited with the village headman, Sutin
Budasii. At the time we arrived over thirty villagers were
werking on a huge reservoir. He also took us to see a new
school that was built entirely by village labor. The
headman told us how his people used to wait in line until
10:00 P.h. for water. A new well had solved this problem
but the water from the well was not used for drinking since
the Thais considered it too bland. The new reservoir was
to provide water for drinking that would be available all
year. It was to cost a family only a penny a day for their
water. This meney was used to provide gas and oil for their
water pumps.

 

111. Our first stop in Nong Rya County was the village
of Nong Tang in Nong Tang District. There the village headman
explained how villagers had provided 8,000 baht fer fill and
racks for a read that would join.their town.with the main

 

1377

road to Nong Rya.. He was planting rice so we interviewed
him right in.the middle of his field. Eight families had
given up a section of their land in order to make the

road possible. Before the road was built, it was impossible
fer a vehicle to enter the village during the rainy season
since the entire area was flooded. we could see what re-
mained of a dock that stretched from the village to the main
road. The villagers used to have to carry their produce

to market over these planks. It was easy to see why this
road was so valuable to them. The county Official had done
his part by providing a free truck to transport dirt for

the road's construction.

112. At the foot of the hing Mountains we interviewed
the headman of the village of hing in Hing District. Three
villages were located close to one another and therefore
did a lot of community development work together. They were
raising more chickens and vegetables in this area than anyb
where else in the county with a new reservoir providing
water for the vegetables. Due to a progressive village
council, roads had been constructed there years ago and the
emphasis was now on their upkeep. They had developed an
active program to make their reservoir larger and also to
provide maintenance on their roads. The county furnished
them with a truck for their projects. Decently they formed
a Farmers' Association that enabled them to borrow money to
finance their crops and to provide fertiliser. Villagers
felt that by doing these things together they had achieved
a greater sense of community. They also felt that seeing
results ef their efforts had done much to lead te ether
projects.

113. Our final interview was made with the principal
of the Dan Hing School who had 13 teachers and 399 students
under his care. His project at that time was digging a
well on the school grounds. The children were raising
vegetables te sell and all their profits were put back into
the school. The principal rented the school meeting hall
to village organisations and music groups. He mentioned
that he had gotten the idea for the water tank installation
he was making from an article he had read in 'Seripharb'
magazine. His teachers' woodworking class had already made
and sold ferty-nine chairs to bring additional revenue into
their school. Over 7,350 baht had been.made on this venture.
The principal felt that the school should be involved in the
community and that his role was that of resource person. This
has enabled him to bring materials and resources into his
school that he otherwise would not be able to afford.

 

138

August 28, 1968

11“. The hebile Development Unit in Loei is located
in the village of Kek Du. The Colonel in charge was ex-
tremely helpful and we conducted a two hour interview
concerning all the work being done by his unit which had
proven its competency in the rele of resource center as well
as that of project coordinator. This included over 120
wells roads, demonstration villages, regular schools, trade
schools, and electrical fiprejects. A school within the 003!
fines of the camp had recently been completed through the
hilp of the Agency for International Development. Everything
was provided for its students free of charge. He explained
that before his road building crew began working there were
many people who had never even been to the province capital
of Loei. They had spent up to seventy years within their
village. It was now quite an experience for them when they
were able te see what other parts of their province look like.

115. He then visited the newly completed trade school
on the hobile DevelOpment Unit compound. The students pro-
vided us with a picture of what their new training was like.
These village students were being taught masonry, woodworking,
carpentry, and simple designing to enable them to enter a
competitive field upon their completion. It seemed to be
a dream come true for many of them since they felt they would
net etherwise have had an epportunity to learn a trade. They
did not necessarily want to leave their villages but they
definitely did want to develOp an occupttion that they felt
was worthwhile and meaningful. They thought that the MDU,
through its rele as reseurce center, was giving them that
epportunity.

116. Our first trip through the mountains brought us
to The Li Ceunty where we interviewed hr. Tawee, the county
official. He compared for us the past and present in regard
te the work that had been accomplished during his four years
in the area. A new road had helped overcome the extreme
isolation of his county but the rains still made it impassable.
Eb mentioned the help he had received from the MDU which had
helped to construct two demonstration villages in Tha Li.
The hDU's role as resource center was once again acknowledged
since he felt that these villages had produced many long range
effects in his county. People had seen how easy it was te
make many of these changes and had also experienced the
benefits of innovations such as toilets, ponds, pens, etc.
Villagers were new able to produce more on the little land
the: owned. Everyone had contributed in the cemmunity develop-
men work.

117. In the village of Pak Huey, leng Phu District the
headman.explained hew the standard of living for his villagers

1}?

had been raised. A.new road and model village had aided
their well-being and everyone seemed happy because they
could see the results of the work they had done. The
county had helped by introducing many new vegetables for
the villagers to raise. Cotton was the largest crop‘
planted because of the mountainous terrain. As we talked
with villagers, we were told.over and ever again that crop
spraying was causing some of their greatest problems. The
villagers did not always mix their spray correctly so that
in.seme cases, the after effects resulted in death. Pace L
masks were provided and instructions were given by agri-
culture officials but often to no avail. Insufficient
water was common in.many villages so that many times the
correct amount was not used.when mixing the spray. Another
problem was that people waited too long to seek help.

They often took their illness to the local witch doctor and
left the cure in.his hands which in most cases were dirty.
The gngngj_had held.many seminars to try and inform people
of ways to doll with their difficulties.

118. we then travelled to the village of A hi, A Hi
District, to interview the headman whose village also planted
cotton. The county had been very helpful in introducing new
planting techniques in.crder to increase crop yields. Crop
spraying had also been done by the county. Houses were com-
pletely surrounded by green gardens and every inch of earth
had been put to use. Some jute was being raised but after
last year's low price, many people had decided that it just
was not worth it. The crops seemed to be doing well this
year as was mirrored in the contentment of the people we
interviewed. The Mobile Development Unit had recently con.
structed a.meeting hall and a temple was to be the next
village project. we attended a village meeting where ideas
were discussed concerning ways to meet construction costs.
The peOple felt that they wanted a definite voice in.these
projects so that they would consider them their own.

August 29, 1968

119. After a five and one-half hour trip through the
mountains, we reached Dan.8ai County which is separated from
Laos by the Huan.River. The prople of Na Haeo District had
never in their history had a temple of their own. They had
always crossed over to Laos in order to make merit and
observe Buddhist feastdays. This was in the process of
changing since a new outdoor, roofed meeting hall (salgwat)
had been constructed and a new temple was to follow. Five
years ago, there were no roads entering the area. The path
over the mountains covered about thirty-five kilometers and
a new road had been hewn.out of solid rock by the Mobile

140

Development Unit construction team. The MDU had also fur-
nished a truck to aid in the construction of the new temple.
The peeple made and sunk the foundation posts and furnished
the wood. Any religious service would now have at least
500 persons in attendance. There were five monks now living
in the village. This project spoke directly to another of
the Thai villagers' needs, namely that of facilitating
their Buddhist life style. A temple is an integral part

of their community and when none is present, they feel
something is missing from their lives. The MDU, again
acting as an agent of change, played a significant part in
filling that void.

September 2, 1968

120. The county official of Si Chiengmai was very
helpful in introducing us to stories in his area. Our first
interview concerned a fish pond project in the village of
flat Chang Puach, Phan Pharao District. Hr. Cum 811 had been
the village headman there for eighteen years but he was now
retired in.crder to devote his full efforts to fish raising.
The government had given him 1500 fish to get him started
and he constructed ponds #0 meters long, 12 meters wide
and 2% meters deep. Ho packed the sides well so that other
fish could not get in and his good breeds could not get out.
He fully explained his technique of fish raising including
the process he went through in making his food. He con.
sidered this the easiest work he had ever done and wondered
why more people were not doing it. He had all of his nine
children helping him. The county had assisted him in
setting up a seminar schedule so that he could aid others
who wished to try this project. He said that he was more
than.willing to give advice to others who would be interested
in starting their own ponds. He had already had dozens of
visitors come to see his work.

121. In the village of Hua Saaj, Phan Phrae District,
we visited the orchard of Mr. Chuaj. The county had given
him over 2,000 banana trees which he carefully planted on
his five a of land. He had also mixed in papaya, coconut,
and dragons eyes trees. Advanced Rural Development had
provided him with some assistance. host of his bananas were
readily sold across the river in Laos. He explained to us
the best way to go about planting them and then went on to
tell who to contact for assistance in obtaining fertilizer
and sprays. People from as far as Hahasarakham had come to
see his orchard and seek advice. He was very proud of the
work he was doing and expressed thanks to the government
for believing in him. He felt this cooperation would go
far to make villagers and their government closer.

 

14$-

122. Mr. Naj Kat was the village headman of Hat Saaj
Tong who told us how villagers and the county joined to-
gether in order to raise over 80,000 baht. This money was
going to be used to install a water works for usage through-
out the year. The gagggj,was helping with the installation.
Ditches had been dug and most of the pipes were in. Before
this, water from the Mekong River had to be used and many
people had become sick from it. The county official had
noticed how well the villagers had worked together on
various projects so he gave them monetary backing. Mr.
Maj Kat had just returned from Taiwan where he had studied
their agricultural methods. He had recently received a
certificate of achievement from the Department of State,
Agency for International Development and was viewed as an
available expert by his neighbors. He went.on to explain
how some families had had to give up some of their land in
order to have the water pipes installed. He viewed this
as total community involvement. The villagers decided that
they would keep the pumps running by computing an average
cost for the gas and oil used and charging each family
accordingly.

SOPtumr 3. 1968

123. Our first interview was with the head of the
community development department for Si Chiengmai. hr.
Haj Sukgan, who travelled with us was very helpful in
introducing us to news stories. e explained the various
projects under his direction, the latest of which included
providing free fish for those who wanted to start their own
ponds. Coconut and banana trees were also going to be given
to villages that had expressed a desire to raise them.
Every district in.the area had received some assistance in
one of these fields. He said that the response had been
tremendous. He felt that this was not a “something for
nothing” proposition since people had to be willing to work
hard in order to make the projects worthmhile. So far, this
had definitely been the case. He however, was ready at all
times to keep projects going smoothly.

124. After arriving in The Bo District, we visited the
site of a huge water pump project on the banks of the Mekong
River. This pump would provide irrigation for over 20,000
:51 of land as well as providing ample water for stock and
vegetable raising. It was supposedly going to take three
years to complete even though much of the pipe was already
laid. This was the first time a project of this type has
been constructed on the Mekong and over twenty kilometers
of cement canals were going to ribbon the countryside
bringing water to the fields. The Thai and Australian

142

governments were sponsoring the project. This was to be the
first of many such pump installations since pumps in Maha
Sarakham and Chumpae, in addition to others along the
Mekong, were to be started in the near future. Mr. Amnuaj
the head of the canal project explained how it would affect
the four surrounding villages receiving its waters. The
pump would employ a pipe twenty-four inches in diameter
which would provide enough water to enable villagers to.
double crop their rice fields and plant vegetables through-
out the year. Villagers mentioned that they could not
imagine what it would be like to have water whenever they
needed it. Lack of water had hindered any crop cultivation
other than rice.

125. Our next interview in the village of Kong Nang,
Kong Nang District, concerned a chicken raising project
aided by the community development officer. The young man
we interviewed had started two years age with just three
chickens but his flock was now up to 150 chickens. His
breeding roosters were commanding 100 baht in.Vientiane mar-
kets. His first chickens were of the village variety but
he soon started mixing them with Rhode Island Reds and the
results were easily seen. He was now making 20 baht a day
on eggs alone. The county had recently provided him with
6,hh0 baht for incubators so that he could help to start others
in the business. He felt that the key to success was in
one's interest in the work being done. In other words, if
one does not want to raise chickens then by no means should
he start. He is looking forward to helping others begin
their own businesses. The community development officer
for The He then proceeded to outline the projects in his
county. There were over sixty in preparation, thirty-two
of which were to be completed by villagers without assis-
tance from the county. He felt strongly that the villagers
were ready to accept new ideas in order to increase their
crop yields. He said he could readily see the effects of
new occupational developments.

126. Our final interview this trip was made with the
head of Nong Nang District, Mr. Pen Sing, who told how his
villagers worked hard to make a good example of their area.
He said that the people of Laos were especially interested

in the work theyrwere doing and that this interest seemed
to have spurred on the work of the villagers. They wanted
to do things they would be proud of. Since they were dir-
ectly across from Laos there was a good bit of competition
in all that they did. His village had electricity and his
latest project was to bring clean water to every home.
thilios contributed 400 baht apiece towards this end and
the gggggj also provided its support. He had a huge road
building program underway and had already presented the
county with 70,000 baht of village funds to complete the job.

143-

September 26, 1968

127. Our first step was in Mancha Khire where we
introduced ourselves to the community development officer
who told us about a number of news items in his area. He
then travelled to Ra Kha, Suan Muan District, to interview
its village headman. Most of the villagers were gardeners
but over 100 families raised silk worms. The headnan ex-
plained how two members of the Volunteer Community Corps
had been helping the village. A sanitation project had
been introduced, new roads laced the village, and a greater
variety of vegetables were now being raised. At first,
the villagers wondered why these young volunteers would
want to come and help but after they lived in their village
awhile, they were accepted for what they did. Their ideas
were readily put to good use, especially in regard to
silk production. A new school had also been built with
the hblp of 60,000 baht from the county. The school
children were raising vegetables to buy flowers and trees
to beautify their school grounds. A new temple was being
constructed through funds collected from people in the
province who wished to make merit. Here people felt that ‘9_
one development project led to another. Once new ideas
were introduced and the results could be seen, others
were more readily accepted. They were very impressed with
the young people (much like their own Peace Corps) who
had chosen to come and live and work with them.

128. In Ha Kha District were able to interview one
of these volunteer community development workers. He
had chosen the particular village he was working in be-
cause he felt that the people were friendly and that he
could do his best work there. The biggest village problem
was a lack of water while insufficient roads was next in
line. He had already managed to obtain 9,000 baht from
the county to help in road construction and wells were
being dug at a steady rate. He held frequent meetings to
keep abreast of the needs of his villagers. Many new crops
such as peanuts, cotton, and jute were bringing a steady
income to their growers. A new bridge had just been com-
pleted by using county funds and village laber. Representa-
tives of the village council also commented on how well
they felt villagers had boon.working together.

 

 

September 27, 1968

129. Chonnabot had been a county for only two years.
It was just beginning to get on.its feet but was doing so
quickly with the assistance of village self-help projects.
Our first step was in the village of Nong San Sut to visit
the county's demonstration which had been completed through

144

fund raising projects which had brought in 100,000 baht.
This school was set up to offer villagers and students
different ways to develop better crops, health and sanita-
tion facilities, and educational resources. This school
oven contained a small dispensary. Villagers felt that
their school offered them examples of how to do things that
they would never have thought of themselves. Finding out
how easy it was to do things to better themselves had
helped them to accept others innovations when they were
introduced.

130. In the village of Channabet, we interviewed
some young ladies regarding the process they used in
preparing their silk thread for weaving. Due to the
demand for Thai silk created by the queen-and Miss Universe
of 1965, making silk was now their full-time occupation.
The village headman had opened a silk raising station as
a demonstration.project for his village.

131. He then interviewed the wife of the above-
mentiened headman since she was the one who really did all
the work. Taiwan had set up a silk raising project in the
village of Paj during the preceding year and she had gotten
her start in silk by working with this project. She gave
us a complete picture of how silk worms are raised. She
new had forty :51 of land planted with mulberry and she
explained how to combat various mulberry diseases in order
to increase the yield. Many villagers were working with
her on her demonstration station. They felt they should
go to someone who had demonstrated expertise in the field.
Many expressed a willingness to learn by doing, but this
was viewed as unnecessary by others. The desire to see
results fast was an exceptionally common viewpoint. Since
someone else had boken.the ground for them, they were
willing to pick up there and do their own job.

132. Two young women in.the village of Get Hya Khem
provided us with our next interview. They were volunteers
hleping villagers in the area of community development.
Their objective was to live with villagers and help them
as much as they could which,in turn,enabled them to see
if community development was the kind of work they wished
to continue in. It was a type of Thai Peace Corps which
worked entirely with community development. They were to
spend two years in their village after which they would
take a test to become a district community development
official. So far the girls had helped introduce methods of
sanitation, bridge building, and mulberry planting. Their
newest and biggest project was building a pier linking a
rain water resertoir and the village. It would have to be
built over a large section of rice paddy. They had been able
to obtain.#,000 baht from the county towards its completion.

 

145

The two girls provided an interesting comparison since one
was from the big city and one from the Northeast. The girl
from Bangkok told us about the problems who had had with
food, language, and living away from the big city. There
were many parallels between her and volunteers from the
United States.

October 2, 1968

133. While travelling with the county officer, we
visited the village of Um Maw Haj Tong District, where
we were met with village dancing and traditional Northeast
music. This village was famous for its not making. Thirty
girls had formed a group that was soon to become part of the
Saw Daw Thw, a women's version of the men's community develop-
ment group. They collected the materials, made the dyes,and
looms, and did the weaving completely without outside assis-
tance. He interviewed an old grandmother who headed the
girls' project. Many of the girls explained their work to
us.; They were very happy to have something constructive to
do with their free time which would also provide needed
money during the dry season.

February 14, 1969

13“. The community development officer in Ihngtalad
was most helpful in introducing us to stories in his county.
He first told us about the silk raising village of Khok Kai,
Eii Thu District, where we interviewed a little old lady
with ten children who had been raising silk worms for the
past fifty years. She explained to us how she had been
helping the girls' community government group become inter-
ested in making silk. She then proceeded to go through the
steps necessary to produce good silk. The part concerning
the planting of mulberry trees was especially well done.

She said that she had helped dozens of interested villagers
care for their trees. She mentioned how the government
had helped her by furnishing new strains of mulberries.

She folt that each year her silk seemed to be of a better
quality. She was especially happy that the government had
taken such an interest in silk production.

135. Our next interview came from the local headman
who explained how the village had obtained a new water supply.
A pump, motor, and water tank installation new served the
whole village and water spickets were located throughout
the area. The machinery was given to the village by the
government but the villagers had provided the timber for

146

the water tank structure and also all the labor. There were
nine tanks set upon a thirty foot wooden structure that
enabled water to be stored over a long period of time. The
villagers had done such a good job on this project that the
U. S. Information Service chose it to make a development
film. The village was very proud of its work and also of
the attention they seemed to be getting from it. They

were quite willing to assume the role of model village and
resource persons. More importantly, however, they new had
water whenever they needed it.

136. Our final interview for the day was made with
the village representative to the county council. He told
of the new read built to join the main Khon Keen/Tangtalad
artery. Five villages had worked together to construct
over two kilometers of road. Each village had done three
days' work in rotation and within fifteen.days,the job was
completed. Before the road was built, all produce had to
be carried by foot or water buffalo to the market. Trucks
now entered every day to both buy and sell goods. This
county council had provided the organization to develop
community projects and the villagers looked up to the council
and expected its guidance. Once this advice was received,
they were more than happy to do the work. Seeing the results
had made this much easier.

February 15, 1969

137. Saturday was spent with the Mobile Medical Unit
of the National Security Command which had been.working out
of Tingtalad County. He travelled with it to the village
of Nong Bua, Bung Nalien District, where we interviewed the
head of the Mobile Medical Unit. He explained to us in
detail the work that he and his doctors were doing in the
area. He taped conversations with each of the doctors as
they checked patients and distributed medicine. Villagers
then spoke with us concerning the assistance they were
receiving and many expressed surprise that a group of dec-
ters would spend time coming into their villages. A large
number of patients had never been to a doctor before.

They would buy medicine in the county or go without pro-

fessional help and rely on homemade recipes. The doctors
felt that this was one of the best ways to keep in contact
with the villagers' needs. Many had never done this kind
of work before and thought it to be especially gratifying.

 

147

April 12, 1969

‘138. Our trip to Sii Sengkhram was made to accompany
the members of the PubliovHelations Department's school who
had spent the previous two days attending lectures at Radio
Station 909. It also enabled us to attend a tradional vil-
lage water festival ceremony. Our first story came from
the village of The Be which is especially interesting be-
cause no one in it plants rice. Since it is located on
the banks of the Sengkhram River, everyone is engaged in
catching fish. Hundreds of clay pots could be seen under
each house. They were filled with compressed fish mixed
with salt which fermented for months and then was sold as
pgzlaa, one of the mainstays of the Northeast villager's
diet. Thousands of baht a year were made from this endeavor.
One of the problems, however, was that this fish, more often
than not, contained liver fluke. Most villagers did not
realise this and no attempt had been.made to start cooking

29—11;:

April 13, 1969

139. In the village of Had Pang, we joined in their
version of the popular water festival. The villagers were
just completing a new bridge spanning the Sengkhram River
whose total cost approached 600,000 baht. This bridge had
special meaning for the villagers since they were completely
flooded out during the rainy season. This bridge would
enable them to sell their goods throughout the year. Vil-
lage officials perceived this problem and went to the county
for help. The results were especially gratifying;

April 1#, 1969

140. After arriving in the tillage of Paeng Nakorn
Phanom Province, we not immediately with the county community
development official.i~He directed us to a meeting of the
county officer and the village headmen of Ban Paeng County.
The meeting centered on ways the county could help villagers
branch out into new occupations, but self-help and community
development projects were also discussed. Through much dis-
cussion and a good bit of give and take, it was decided that
pig raising would be their newest project. Enough money was
on hand for the purchasing of twelve pigs. It was agreed
that only those who had some experience with pigs would be
included in the pilot group. From then on, pigs would be
distributed throughout the villages to those who were inter-
ested, with the pilot group providing valuable assistance

 

e
l‘.

O’

1&8

by acting as resource persons.

ini. In Nong Uaeng District we interviewed the district
officer, Mr. Sing, concerning his fish raising project which
was the only one of its kind in the district. He had bought
5,000 fingerlings to start but he thought that by how, they
had at least doubled in number. He went on to explain.the
methods used for fish raising and especially those for food
preparation. He hoped that this pilot project would promote
fish development in other villages and was more than willing
to answer any questions listeners might have.

142. He also interviewed the district officer of Ban
Paeng concerning tobacco raising in his area. Over 3,000
were planted each year on the banks of the Mekong
ver. The land was rented from the county and profits
went back into community development. This had turned out
to be a great way to foster one's own community development
program when funds were not available from other sources.

April 15, 1969

1&3. In Seka County, we followed a newly graded ARD
road which seemed to lead nowhere until we came upon the
grader itself and the people in charge. The road stretched
from Seka County to the village of Na Saeng, a distance of
thirty kilometers. He interviewed the Thai AHD advisor,

Mr. Suradet, about the work that had already been accomplished.
Before this road was cut, it had taken almost two hours to
reach the county by bike. The village headman of the village
of Nam Gan said that when it rained no one even tried to

leave the village. He was especially concerned with medical
assistance for his villagers. “The road should help to solve
this and many other problems. Mr. Suradet and his group

were serving as active agents of change.

April 2#, 1969

1th. Accompanied by the community development official
of Lerng Nek Tha, we set out for the village of Non Hat.
It was about fifteen kilometers from the district seat and
was reached by a read recently built by the villagers them-
selves. In the village of Non Hat, villagers were raising
a large earthen dam on the Sebai River, a relatively large
stream for that area. Construction had begun only two days
before but progress on the dam (30 meters long, 16 meters
high, and 8 meters wide) was well underway. Most of the
villagers were at the site and even a group of priests were

1H9

present to give moral support to the workmen. Everyone
seemed to get in on the act.

1u5. That afternoon we travelled to Bhn Bong Saeng,
a model village of the Ubon Mobile Development Unit, located
on the new National Security Command/British road connecting
Lerng Nek Tha and Nong Phok in Hoist. At Ban Hong Saeng,
officials of the Mobile Development Unit had helped the
villagers to upgrade their standard of living, going so
far as to modify the layout of the village itself. Houses
were uprooted and moved; new streets were cut; and finally,
a more orderly city block plan emerged. Villagers helped
raise poles for the electricity system they had paid for.
A new water supply system was installed largely on their initi-
ative. One factor in this positive chronicle may be that
the village residents are Phu Thai, and the energy and
diligence of this particular strain of Nertheasterners
is well known. The village headman and other village leaders
told of the difficulties involved. They felt that all of
their efforts had been worthwhile because of all of the new
conveniences as well as the satisfaction that their village
new enjoyed.

“WTL‘AAAAETT