Local Wisdom: The Development Of Community Culture And Production Processes In Thailand

Abstract

The objective of this research was to study the development of production processes and community culture in the Songkhla Lake Basin in southern Thailand. We used a qualitative method and did in-depth interviews with 25 local community leaders in 25 communities surrounding the lake. We found that the concept of community culture was developed through local community leaders to the agricultural production by using culture to run the production process, which is based on the concept of self-sufficiency and self-reliance. From this study, the authors found that this development has led to a decrease in residents’ use of technology and a return to the use of labor. The development also reduces the use of chemical fertilizers and insecticides. People have returned to the use of herbs for curing disease in humans and animals. In addition, the development helps people save on production costs and reduce pollution.