Anthropological Archives Database

Year 1958-1961

Observation in police station.

January 28, 1969. The superintendent and clerk were arguing about writing of briefs (?). He also considered that the clerk wrote insuffiently.

by : Michael Moerman

Year 1979-1981

Thailand Ban Phaed

The young Lue did not speak the Lue language. Information covers new and old terms in Lue.

by : Michael Moerman

Year 1979-1981

A trip to Chiang Mai and Phayao A. Kraisri related that after the harvest season some people were going to trade and found a new wife, and was a cause of divorce. The term Po was used to show respect; Lung was connotative of teacher; Oei was intimacy. Moerman made the following observations about Chiang Mai: workers from outside came to work in the City; the City Hall was completed; urban land prices; farming; shopping mall; guesthouses. All had changed because the people invested more. Jeff shared that Som was a leader and highly respected by residents in Fang. Moerman observed the changes in Fang and Chiang Dao: the opening of the company and business of Kraisri; a temple built by the mother of Kraisri in Chiang Rai; charity of the family Nimmanhaemindra. At Chiang Kham, Phayao, there were ten refugee camps where Khmu, Lue and others were being taken care of by the government. There would be a betanque tournament in Phayao.

by : Michael Moerman

Year 1979-1981

Thailand Bangkok, talk with Miphat, 26 November, talk with Sansern 24 November 1979

Moerman spoke with Miphat, a judge at the Court of Appeal, about his work, corruption, and conflict between farmers and the government. Moerman also spoke to Sanseun, who was on the Judiciary Committee, about recording in the courtroom. He was conducting a project to rebuild the labor court, including the establishment of a commercial court and court of tax.

by : Michael Moerman

Year 1979-1981

Problems of Buddhism and Communism

Problems of Buddhism and Communism Kraisri related that the village heads had a radio to communicate with the district authorities. The World Bank and the ASEAN Development Bank preferred private construction companies to build roads and irrigation systems under the supervision of foreign companies, because the project would be achieved faster and better than the Department of Irrigation. Problems over the leasing of land by farmers and landowners in the North. At Chiang Mai Provincial Court there were more judges, and more foreigners imprisoned for drug offenses.

by : Michael Moerman

Year 1979-1981

Changes in the Environment

Changes in the environment Nan Bun used to raise cattle, but after the forest was cleared for agricultural land, he sold cattle and hired migrants from Northeastern as labour. Mae Noo sold land to the government for building an airport. Saeng sold land at the rate of 1500 baht per rai for land with title, and 800 baht per rai for land without title. Some villagers still engaged in farming, while others turned to fruit plantation and trade at the markets.

by : Michael Moerman

Year 1979-1981

Chiengkham

Chiang Kham A local hospital provided services at unaffordable prices, and villagers preferred to see Dorothy (a woman who served as medium to cure villagers). Highlanders moved from the hillside to stay in plain areas because of the war, communism and opium. Problems of heroin and cocaine caused health problems for people, living in Chiang Kham, especially among students. Drought and deforestation had resulted in damaged rice and death of fish. The state had an uncertain policy towards highlanders, and they could not gain Thai nationality, had no rights for land ownership, and were discriminated against in access to education. The state encouraged villagers to build toilets. There was a change in the experience and values of young people; youngsters visited discotheques, and used a combination of Central Thai and Lue languages. The chief district administrator desired to study what caused people to lose ownership of land and to whom.

by : Michael Moerman

Year 1979-1981

Lampang health project

Health project in Lampang Dr. Tien related that this project aimed to survey and monitor the health services of people in rural areas. Information was requested from patients and service providers. At Ban Phaed female villagers were taking birth control pills, which were available at pharmacies and were distributed at the health center without charge. The birth control coil was not popular. In addition, the state allowed women who had two children to be sterilized, the men were more afraid of sterilization.

by : Michael Moerman

Year 1979-1981

Religion and Ceremony

Religion and ritual Wat Sanam Nai was a training center for Wipatsana [meditation]. It was always quiet, even in Bangkok. At Ban Phaed, Mae Saeng and Fong made offerings of food to the Buddha image on the shelf every morning. In the village people still engaged in the practice of making offerings to spirits. Male will ordained for one Buddhist lent or a week. The government allowed the ordination of men for 121 days, and were still they still paid. At times, people would ask village spirit and if the request was granted, they would pay homage with a dedication.