Anthropological Archives Database

Year 1958-1961

Law and patterns in highland

May 4, 1969. Moerman made notes about the government of the Mae Chan settlement. There were regulations and patterns in the highland regarding the Chinese military presence on the border. They were strictly disciplined and did not cause problems for the Thai officials. Most highlanders were close to the Chinese military. In the settlement there was a project to train the highlanders for employment and to work in the villages. One of them had been trained in first aid and another worked in security. They would provide information and gather news upon hearsay. May 31, 1969. There was a village named Nam Kyng, located between Chiang Saen and Chiang Khong. The head of the village was Yao (one of the highland ethnics - translator) and a Sub-district Chief who was also Yao. He was responsible for overseeing the Yao and Lue villages.

by : Michael Moerman

Year 1958-1961

Relationship of Police in district level

March 20, 1969. When the police officer who was responsible for Sarapi district was only a sergeant, the Chief District Official of Sarapi had worked more easily than when the police officer had a higher rank, of Major. However the position of chief district official was “superior” to the police position because he earned more money.

by : Michael Moerman

Year 1958-1961

Manas, sub-district head of Sarapi

February 27, 1969. Manas shared information about a monk named Panga Nanta Phiku. Panga Nanta Phiku taught people to live together. When he traveled to Chiang Mai, many people came to listen to his sermons intensively, and he had never received proceeds from the villagers at all. He received only candles and flowers. He also said if there were only people who followed the law; there would be no need to be involved with the justice system. He also said, "When being alone, be careful of the one's thoughts. But when being with others, be careful with words. "

by : Michael Moerman

Year 1958-1961

District official at Saraphi District

Moerman interviewed Lieutenant Ying Yot on 1 March 1969. The settlement of conflicts at the District Office would normally be recorded in an official book. They discussed various cases that he previously worked on. For example, the case of a schoolteacher who had been involved in construction, and intruded on the public space. Most cases of concern with the residents were regarding the management of water. Currently, the subject was about tax evasion by marriage.

by : Michael Moerman

Year 1958-1961

Bodin talked with the headmen about various areas, Mae Yuak, Hang Dong and Ban Nam PE

June 7, 1969. Bodin had been drinking with the head of Mae Yuak and spoke about complications. For example, first, two individuals had been about to shoot each other. One of them wanted to compromise, while the other wanted to report the incident to the police. The head of their workplace was of the opinion that if the incident was reported to the police, they would be discredited. Second, a gardener and the garden owner were in dispute. The gardener was unsatisfied and had cut some trees, in consequence the owner wanted to report the incident to the police.

by : Michael Moerman

Year 1958-1961

Interview with the Headman of Mae Yuak

Since 2507 B.E. he had been the head of Mae Yuak, and he shared information regarding compromising cases. For example, relatives were in dispute of family inheritance and had consulted an attorney. The attorney said that if he conducted the lawsuit and won, he would share half of the inheritance. When they came to see the headman, they could negotiate at his home. Second, a case involving a brawl and both parties had hit each other. The head suggested that if the police were made aware of the incident, they would be dishonored. It might be better to settle the dispute at the level of the headman.

by : Michael Moerman

Year 1962-1966

Sio.

27 June 1965 - Moerman was born in the same year as Ma, so they are “sio” (friends). Moerman calls Ly “po sio” and Ly' s wife “me sio”. So Ly is sio with Marieanne (Moerman's wife).

by : Michael Moerman

Year 1958-1961

Bodin gave legal advice at the Army base

A friend of the Sergeant wanted to sell a piece of land with the right to redeem it. Ownership of the land needed to be verified and the contract of vendition had to include which part could be redeemed. His friend told had told him that his uncle gave the land, with a size of 20 “rai” [unit of area equal to 1,600 square meters-translator], by affection, so there was no signed transferable attestation. Later his uncle had wanted the land back, but his friend refused, and consequently his uncle sued his friend. Bodin supplied information that if the Sergeant’s friend had used the land for 10 years and no one had claimed it, his friend would possess the property. But if the original owner claimed the property within 10 years, it would become the property of the original owner immediately. He recommended the Sergeant to consult Prawin.

by : Michael Moerman

Year 1958-1961

Bodin gave legal advice at the Army base

There was brawl caused by a group of Nong's friends. An old adversary who could not fight back informed the police, and the police had arrested six of the youngsters (including Nong). Even though Nong did not participate in the incident, he would be treated the same as those who had. Bodin advised the police that they should use Nong as a witness, but they refused to do so. A lawsuit had been submitted and the three people blamed for it had fled, riding a motorcycle. Nong should give testimony about the incident in court, and should be prevented from being blamed in the brawl case.