A STRUGGLE FOR GETTING FREE FROM SOCIAL EXCLUSION OF TRIBE-WAR VOLUNTEERS: A CASE STUDY OF BAN KHIANGFA OF SA DOE PHONG SUBDISTRICT IN KHAO KHO DISTRICT OF PHETCHABUN PROVINCE

Abstract

The objectives of this dissertation were 1) to study the process of the struggle for getting free from social exclusion of the hill tribe-war volunteers in Ban Khiangfa, Sadao Phong Subdistrict, Khao Kho District of Phetchabun Province; and 2) to study the success factors of the struggle to free from social exclusion of the hill tribe-war volunteers. The dissertation made use of qualitative research methodology by applying documentary research, observation and in-depth interviews as its major methods. The snowball technique was utilized to search for 27 key informants.

This dissertation revealed that the social exclusion existed based on the sense of the social injustice made by the state assistance. The Thai Army, in particular, made a commitment to reward the hill tribe-war volunteers with houses and land after the end of war. But the hill tribe-war volunteers in fact received nothing after the war. Hence, they were struggling for years to get what they deserved for. Their struggling – with the utilization of group unity, social networks, community leaders, negotiation and feeling of being Thais - had finally reached the desired destination. They obtained house registration certificate, and the right possessing certificate for land and houses. Moreover, their residential areas were formally merged with the closely registered community so that they would be able to access to public utility and significant public services.

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