Anthropological Archives Database

Year 1958-1961

Problem with water pump

May 6, 1969. Badin went to visit a sub-district headman and told a story about a man who liked drinking. When he was drunk and had carried a knife, he slashed a villager's water pump. The villager reported the incident to the sub-district headman ('Kamnan'). He had tried to settle the conflict, so he asked the accused to pay damages to the owner for the pump repairs. However, when the owner could not find the spare part to fix the pump, he wanted to buy a new one. The offender was willing to pay for new equipment. In such a case agreement could be easily be reached because both were in the same village, and the accused had accepted the mistake and was willing to pay the damages.

by : Michael Moerman

Year 1958-1961

Problems over allocation of water resources

March 25, 1969. A problem regarding the allocation of water resources had lasted for over a week. Some thought that there should be water supplied to the field during various time ranges, because there were different numbers of representatives from each village to work on the dam construction. However, some did not agree with this idea. The sub-district headman supplied water to his field, because he was afraid the rice would die. A threatening letter had been sent, which was by the sub-district headman. The district chief officer went to the sub-district headman's house. The driver of the district chief officer talked about the lack of unity. If people had worked together to build the dam, they would all have had water to use.

by : Michael Moerman

Year 1958-1961

Fight over the land at Ban Santangdu, Chiang Mai

February 22-23, 1969. About 10 years ago, there were only a couple of households in the area. Later, approximately 70 Lahu households had become residents. A school was built under the Border Patrol Police patronage and Prasit was the principal ajarn (teacher). Lowlanders also came to settle in the area, and ajarn Mang came. The villagers had common knowledge about the use of canals for irrigation. The earlier residents fought with the group of people who had newly moved in. The Lahu residents claimed their ownership of the land and did not want to share it with anyone from lowland. There was also a problem regarding the allocation of water. Both parties had fought with each other. The newcomers from the lowland did not respect the head because he was Lahu. Prasit tried to settle the conflict, but was not effective. Nonetheless, there were also other problems over land resources in the forest reserve and the affects of the dam construction in Chiang Rai.

by : Michael Moerman

Year 1958-1961

Observation at Saraphi District

March 21, 1969. In the area of Saraphi, there was a Naj Kong Na system, i.e. the system in which a village head or power-related groups worked as representatives of the landlord to collect rent for land. At Saraphi the family Nimanhaeminthan controlled this system. In addition, there was also conflict over the allocation of water resources.

by : Michael Moerman

Year 1958-1961

Court hanger-on

March 26, 1969. Moerman made notes about a man who was the friend of Bodin father. He worked at a law firm and also worked as a “corruption” broker of some of the officials. For example, if anyone wanted to give a bribe to the police or if the police wanted money due to an investigation, he would facilitate. March 27, 1969. Moerman made notes about th activties of Pradit. There was a case of a young woman who had eloped with a man. But it was of her own free will. The head brought her to see Pradit, and he recommended that she and her beloved should be married because they were over 18 years old, and thus they could marry each other without parental permission. Pradit also talked to Bodin about different levels of offense for those who illegally possessed a gun. It was dependent on the age group. March 28, 1969. Moerman made notes about a kind of corruption by the officials. Court clerks, police and law firms had worked together to decrease the penalties for the defendants or to terminate lawsuits. For example, there were a minor changes in the records of investigation. For instance with the phrase “killing without intent,” the punishment could be reduced. In another example, for the case of the possession of opium, it could become a “trifle.” But the culprit must make a payment to the people involved, and they would take and share the money. March 31, 1969. Moerman noted the arrest of three teenagers who used bottle bombs. Two of them were released (because they paid a bribe to the police). Another was sent to the PP and his parents came to negotiate. But they did not have enough money to pursue the case, and thus Pradit could not help, the case was dependent on the PP.

by : Michael Moerman

Year 1958-1961

Observations at the District Administration Office of Saraphi

March 25, 1969. First, a man intended to contact a forestry official, but he went to the Muang District of Chiang Mai Province. Second, another man came to pay land tax for himself and his neighbors, but he did not know their last name. So the staff helped him find the information. Third, two children came to search for census documents for their studies. Fourth, a man asked for a registrar of the conscription unit, but the latter went to the Muang district of the Chiang Mai Province. Fifth, there was a notification letter to the Chief District Officers about a chicken thief, but the information provided about the location was not enough. March 26, 1969. First, a woman came to the district administration office because she need a new ID card instead of the substitute yellow paper which was issued by government agencies. Second, a man came to pay taxes and spoke in a Northern dialect to the staff. Third, people who come to contact officials at the district administration office spoke in the Northern dialect. Fourth, a man asked for a copy of a marriage license. But as he had married a long time ago, the staff said that if it was discovered, he would keep the document for him. Fifth, a man came to report to the District Chief Officer that his water pump was stolen. He decided to ride on a pillion. Additionally, there were many situations that reflected relations between the villagers and district officers.

by : Michael Moerman

Year 1958-1961

Observation at Saraphi District Office

March 20, 1969. A woman came to the district regarding selling water at the district office. But an official said that it was not her business. Mangkhom received good service from the waiter, even though he said that he was only an intern.

by : Michael Moerman

Year 1958-1961

Observations at District Administration Office of Saraphi

March 21, 1969. First, a chief complained to his assistant district officer regarding the drilling for groundwater, as there was no running water. There was not enough budget for a new drill. Second, a man came to complain about the water shortage because the dam in Mae Tang did not release any water; therefore Saraphi District had no water. The Chief District Officer was asked to manage water resources, but he said that it was outside of his duties. Third, a man asked for the day when he had to pay the taxes for land. Fourth, a man complained about the water shortage. The Chief District Officer had said that the water resources were deficient in all areas, even in the watershed areas. March 21, 1969. RA observed and noted the following. First, a woman asked for census record because her child needed it for study enrollment. There was a similar case, but the staff could not find the document. Second, the Sub-district Chief or “Kamnan” paid taxes on land and complained that they were expensive. But the officials said that the land value was quite high as well. Third, a man asked for a copy of birth registration because the date inscribed on his birth certificate and in another certificate did not match. Fourth, a sub-district headman came to ask about taxes on the land for his villagers. Although the staff explained politely, he could not understand. Fifth, a man came to complain about the water resource management for his land. After the complaint, there still was no water.

by : Michael Moerman

Year 1958-1961

Prakong, the chief district officer

March 10, 1969. Moerman talked to Prakong about conflict management. He listened to both sides, and then he decided to submit the case to the judge. Two days ago there were two cases in which he had taken a decision. One concerned land invasion. It must be reported to the police. Another case was regarding a man who had gotted woman pregnant and then refused to marry her. Prakong helped settle the conflict and asked him to pay damages to the woman.