DOCSLIB.ORG

MEKONG a River for Indochina MEKONG a River for Indochina

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
MEKONG a River for Indochina MEKONG a River for Indochina ASEAN HERITAGE TRAIL MEKONG A River for Indochina MEKONG A River for Indochina Map Attractions not to be Missed Museums and Cultural Attractions Gastronomy Delights All About Craft, Design and Textile Living Arts Highlights ASEAN HERITAGE TRAIL Mekong, A River for Indochina The Mekong River is one of the most important river in Asia and partcularly In recent years, eforts have been done to connect Thailand to its Indochinese in Southeast Asia as it goes through five countries of the region – Myanmar, neighbours with a remarkable success. Just 25 years ago, there was no Thailand, Lao PDR, Cambodia and Vietnam. The river crosses Asia on a bridge linking countries over the Mekong River. The first bridge –now gone length of 4,345 km from its headwaters in the Tibetan Plateau to the South into history books- opened in 1994 between Nong Khai in Thailand and the China Sea, making it the seventh longest river in Asia and the twelfh longest province of Vientane in Lao PDR. Untl 1994 there were not even bridges in the world. The river flows along 2,500 km of land in Southeast Asia. It has across it. There are now more than two dozen bridges passing over the a length of roughly 100 km in Myanmar, of 1,900 km in Laos, of 920 km in Mekong these days with ten bridges being internatonal checkpoints. The Thailand, of 500 km in Cambodia and of 220 km in Vietnam. The Upper largest number connects Thailand to Laos. Expect to see more bridges in the Mekong featres trbulent rapids, steep gorges while the Lower Mekong in near futre, some also for rail links. ASEAN is more placid and incredibly wide. As connectvi between all the countries bordering the Mekong River It is said that the first European to have set an eye on the Mekong River was improves almost on a monthly basis, it is then more convenient than ever to Italian trader and adventrer Marco Polo in the 13th centry. Three centries explore the historical treasures of this river who shaped former Indochina. later, Portguese Dominican missionaries Father Gaspar da Cruz was the Classical European architectre in Mekong cies blend marvelously today first to describe travelling on the Mekong River around 1555. He was then with tradional temples and local wooden houses while sleepy villages followed by Dutch explorer Gerrit van Wuysthof who reported about his contnue to carry this indolent easy way of live characterizing life along the travel along the river in 1641. Mekong River. The Mekong has also been a major element of life to one of the However, it will be French who will strongly shape the destny of the lands world’s architectral marvel, the fabled ci of Angkor Wat. and countries along the Mekong. Their influence is lastng untl today in With travel being easier than ever, it is tme to enjoy the myriad of cultres architectre, cuisine, cultre (many of the temples were preserved by French along the Mekong River and dream of Indochina… archeologists), educaton or even in the daily vocabulary used in Cambodia, Lao PDR and Vietnam. The French were caressing the plan to use the Mekong to navigate into China and extend further the influence of the French Empire. However, their expansion into China never materialized as navigaton was cut by the impressive Khone Falls in Southern Laos. However, all the river from the banks ABOUT THAI-LAO FRIENDSHIP BRIDGES to Lao PDR through Cambodia and further up to the Mekong Delta in Vietnam When it opened back to April 1994, it was a true sensaton. The became a major trading area. Many cies setled during French tmes along first Thai-Lao Friendship Bridge (Saphan Mitraphap in Thai) was the Mekong River, prospered through trade, reflected in some fine examples built with the support of Australia. Stretching over 1,100 meter, the of colonial architectre. bridge is open to road vehicles and trains and connect Nong Khai to Vientane. The majestc bridge is stll one of the busiest, if not the French influence also reached Thailand (by then Siam). As the Kingdom busiest bridge across the Mekong as it sees every year over a million started a gigantc efort of modernizaton under King Rama V the Great, foreign visitors in each directon. cies along the River received a French touch as they started to expand. The first Thai-Lao Friendship Bridge remained the only one over The French stle was indeed seen as a way to look more modern, making the Mekong River for another 13 years when the 2nd Thai-Lao Siamese cies along the Mekong on pair with their Laotan or Cambodian Friendship Bridge opened between Mukdahan and Savannakhet rd counterparts. Another influental factor has been the immigraton of on a 1,600-meter length. In 2011, the 3 Thai-Lao Friendship Bridge opened on a length of 1,460 m between Nakhon Phanom and Vietnamese and then Laotans to Thailand from the 1920s to the 1960s as Thakhek in Khammouane Province. The 4th Thai-Lao Bridge, opened they fled polical repression from the colonial power and later the various in 2013, is the smallest of all Mekong bridges. Its length is only 630 wars in Indochina. These new emigrants contributed by their customs and meters and it connects Chiang Khong in Chiang Rai Province to Ban tradions to give further an Indochinese touch to Northeast Thailand. Houayxay in the province of Bokeo in Laos. Two more bridges are in planning. The 5th Thai-Lao Friendship Bridge could link the province of Bueng Kan to Borikhamxay in Laos while another bridge would link Ubon Ratchathani with Salavan province. 2 Introduction | 3 MAP 1 Luang Prabang Mekong, A River for Indochina N ASEAN HERITAGE TRAIL Chiang Khan Nong Khai Sakon Nakhon MEKONG 3 4 Vientane Nakhon Phanom Mukdahan Ubon Ratchathani A RIVER FOR INDOCHINA Chiang Khan 2 5 Nong Khai 7 8 Savannakhet sacred stpa, 6 Nakhon Phanom Sakon Nakhon LAO PDR Mukdahan 9 Luang Prabang Vientane Savannakhet 10 Savannakhet Champassak Ubon Ratchathani 11 12 Champassak Stng Treng Krate Kampong Cham Phnom Penh Neak Loeung Stng Treng Wat Supatanaram in Ubon Ratchathani, THAILAND Tan Chau Sa Dec Vinh Long My Tho 13 Krate 14 Kampong Cham 15 16 Phnom Penh Tan Chau Sa Dec 17 18 My Tho The 2,000 diamonds Buddha at the Silver Vinh Long Pagoda in Phnom Penh, CAMBODIA On the steps of French writer Marguerite Duras in Sa Dec, VIETNAM 4 JOURNAL PLANNER Mekong, A River for Indochina Trip Name: Members: Date to Travel: Date Destnaton Travel by Stay at Time Where to What to do Route MEKONG, A RIVER FOR INDOCHINA Attractions not to be Missed 11 MEKONG, A RIVER FOR INDOCHINA Attractions not to be Missed 1 Perfect Peninsula in Luang Prabang Luang Prabang, LAO PDR The old town of the former royal residence ci of Luang Prabang is insert like a diamond inserted in a necklace of the Mekong River. Luang Prabang historical heart is indeed a peninsula and visitors can embrace its panorama from the top of Phou Si Hill, overlooking the royal palace. 2 Chiang Khan (Thailand) alms procession Chiang Khan, THAILAND 2 © tourismproduct.tourismthailand.org 3 The charming small town lines up its centry-old wooden houses along the Mekong River. Most of the communies living in the peaceful town came from A Lao version of Paris Arch of Triumph Vientane, LAO PDR Laos, escaping France colonial regime and were at a later point joined by 3 in Vientane migrants from Vietnam and China. Chiang Khan retains a very tradional atmosphere. Locals said that Chiang Khan is a pendant to Luang Prabang In recent years, the old town of the Laotan capital Vientane nestled along due to its strong religious life. Like in Luang Prabang, monks collect alms in a the Mekong have given way to new structres showing how Vientane wants long procession every morning. Wake up early to see a ‘ribbon’ of safron and to trn into a contemporary town. French influence can stll be seen along orange robes as monks walk along the narrow roads. Sethatrath Road lined with old colonial houses while Patxay (Victory Gate) is a strange triumphal gate built in 1957 and echoing Paris own version of Arch of Triumph. Like it or not, there is a great view from the top… 4 5 4 Gold of Vientane Vientane, LAO PDR That Luang Stpa is the symbol of Laos. Built in 1566, it is today considered the most important natonal cultral monument of the country. with its stpa paint in gold, the temple is trning into dark orange or pink in the sunset. Not 1 to be missed. 5 Sunset at Nong Khai Riverfront Nong khai, THAILAND Nong Khai is a peaceful town along the Mekong which has trned into a popular tourist atracton as it is the first stop into Thailand from Laos. The riverfront has been renovated with Naga states and a fantastc panorama over the Mekong, partcularly at sunset. Even beter is to dine there and enjoy both the sunset and Nong Khai Vietnamese/Thai cuisine. The old town has a couple of French influenced buildings such as the Governor’s residence. MEKONG, A RIVER FOR INDOCHINA | 12 Attractions not to be Missed | 13 6 Indochina village in Sakon Nakhon Sakon Nakhon, THAILAND Tha Rae is one of Thailand most beautful village with its beautful arched houses and window ornate with balconies. While some have been restored, many of these houses are crumbling, adding to the village charm. This very Indochinese architectre finds its origin in the high number of Vietnamese migrants who fled the colonial regime.
Load more

Recommended publications
  • Ho Chi Minh Trail from Wikipedia, the Free Encyclopedia
    Ho Chi Minh trail From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia The Hồ Chí Minh trail (also known in Vietnam as the "Trường Sơn trail") was a logistical system that ran from the Hồ Chí Minh Trail Democratic Republic of Vietnam (North Vietnam) to the Southeastern Laos Republic of Vietnam (South Vietnam) through the neighboring kingdoms of Laos and Cambodia. The system provided support, in the form of manpower and materiel, to the National Front for the Liberation of South Vietnam (called the Vietcong or "VC" by its opponents) and the People's Army of Vietnam (PAVN), or North Vietnamese Army, during the Vietnam War. It was named by the Americans after North Vietnamese president Hồ Chí Minh. Although the trail was mostly in Laos, the communists called it the Trường Sơn Strategic Supply Route (Đường Trường Sơn), after the Vietnamese name for the Annamite Range mountains in central Vietnam.[1] According to the United States National Security Agency's official history of the war, the Trail system was "one of the great achievements of military engineering of the 20th century."[2] Contents 1 Origins (1959–1965) Ho Chi Minh Trail, 1967 Type Logistical system 1.1 Base areas Site information 2 Interdiction and expansion (1965–1968) Controlled by National Liberation Front 2.1 Air operations against the trail Site history 2.2 Ground operations against the trail Built 1959–1975 3 Commando Hunt (1968–1970) In use 1959–1975 Battles/wars Operation Barrel Roll 3.1 Fuel pipeline Operation Steel Tiger 3.2 Truck relay system Operation Tiger Hound Operation Commando Hunt 4 Road to PAVN victory (1971–75) Cambodian Incursion Operation Lam Son 719 5 See also Ho Chi Minh Campaign 6 Notes Operation Left Jab Operation Honorable Dragon Operation Diamond Arrow 7 Sources Project Copper Operation Phiboonpol Operation Sayasila Origins (1959–1965) Operation Bedrock Operation Thao La Parts of what became the trail had existed for centuries as Operation Black Lion primitive footpaths that facilitated trade.
    [Show full text]
  • Language Policy and Bilingual Education in Thailand: Reconciling the Past, Anticipating the Future1
    LEARN Journal: Language Education and Acquisition Research Network Journal, Volume 12, Issue 1, January 2019 Language Policy and Bilingual Education in Thailand: Reconciling the Past, Anticipating the Future1 Thom Huebner San José State University, USA [email protected] Abstract Despite a century-old narrative as a monolingual country with quaint regional dialects, Thailand is in fact a country of vast linguistic diversity, where a population of approximately 60 million speak more than 70 languages representing five distinct language families (Luangthongkum, 2007; Premsrirat, 2011; Smalley, 1994), the result of a history of migration, cultural contact and annexation (Sridhar, 1996). However, more and more of the country’s linguistic resources are being recognized and employed to deal with both the centrifugal force of globalization and the centripetal force of economic and political unrest. Using Edwards’ (1992) sociopolitical typology of minority language situations and a comparative case study method, the current paper examines two minority language situations (Ferguson, 1991), one in the South and one in the Northeast, and describes how education reforms are attempting to address the economic and social challenges in each. Keywords: Language Policy, Bilingual Education, the Thai Context Background Since the early Twentieth Century, as a part of a larger effort at nation-building and creation of a sense of “Thai-ness.” (Howard, 2012; Laungaramsri, 2003; Simpson & Thammasathien, 2007), the Thai government has pursued a policy of monolingualism, establishing as the standard, official and national language a variety of Thai based on the dialect spoken in the central plains by ethnic Thais (Spolsky, 2004). In the official narrative presented to the outside world, Thais descended monoethnic and monocultural, from Southern China, bringing their language with them, which, in contact with indigenous languages, borrowed vocabulary.
    [Show full text]
  • The Puzzling Absence of Ethnicity-Based Political Cleavages in Northeastern Thailand
    Proud to be Thai: The Puzzling Absence of Ethnicity- Based Political Cleavages in Northeastern Thailand Jacob I. Ricks Abstract Underneath the veneer of a homogenous state-approved Thai ethnicity, Thailand is home to a heterogeneous population. Only about one-third of Thailand’s inhabitants speak the national language as their mother tongue; multiple alternate ethnolinguistic groups comprise the remainder of the population, with the Lao in the northeast, often called Isan people, being the largest at 28 percent of the population. Ethnic divisions closely align with areas of political party strength: the Thai Rak Thai Party and its subsequent incarnations have enjoyed strong support from Isan people and Khammuang speakers in the north while the Democrat Party dominates among the Thai- and Paktay-speaking people of the central plains and the south. Despite this confluence of ethnicity and political party support, we see very little mobilization along ethnic cleavages. Why? I argue that ethnic mobilization remains minimal because of the large-scale public acceptance and embrace of the government-approved Thai identity. Even among the country’s most disadvantaged, such as Isan people, support is still strong for “Thai-ness.” Most inhabitants of Thailand espouse the mantra that to Copyright (c) Pacific Affairs. All rights reserved. be Thai is superior to being labelled as part of an alternate ethnic group. I demonstrate this through the application of large-scale survey data as well as a set of interviews with self-identified Isan people. The findings suggest that the Thai state has successfully inculcated a sense of national identity Delivered by Ingenta to IP: 192.168.39.151 on: Sat, 25 Sep 2021 22:54:19 among the Isan people and that ethnic mobilization is hindered by ardent nationalism.
    [Show full text]
  • 2019 FAO/WFP Crop and Food Security Assessment Mission to the Lao People's Democratic Republic
    ISSN 2707-2479 SPECIAL REPORT 2019 FAO/WFP CROP AND FOOD SECURITY ASSESSMENT MISSION (CFSAM) TO THE LAO PEOPLE’S DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC 9 April 2020 SPECIAL REPORT 2019 FAO/WFP CROP AND FOOD SECURITY ASSESSMENT MISSION (CFSAM) TO THE LAO PEOPLE’S DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC 9 April 2020 FOOD AND AGRICULTURE ORGANIZATION OF THE UNITED NATIONS WORLD FOOD PROGRAMME Rome, 2020 Required citation: FAO. 2020. Special Report - 2019 FAO/WFP Crop and Food Security Assessment Mission to the Lao People’s Democratic Republic. Rome. https://doi.org/10.4060/ca8392en The designations employed and the presentation of material in this information product do not imply the expression of any opinion whatsoever on the part of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) concerning the legal or development status of any country, territory, city or area or of its authorities, or concerning the delimitation of its frontiers or boundaries. Dashed lines on maps represent approximate border lines for which there may not yet be full agreement. The mention of specific companies or products of manufacturers, whether or not these have been patented, does not imply that these have been endorsed or recommended by FAO in preference to others of a similar nature that are not mentioned. The views expressed in this information product are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views or policies of FAO. ISSN 2707-2479 [Print] ISSN 2707-2487 [Online] ISBN 978-92-5-132344-1 [FAO] © FAO, 2020 Some rights reserved. This work is made available under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 3.0 IGO licence (CC BY-NC-SA 3.0 IGO; https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/3.0/igo/legalcode).
    [Show full text]
  • • Ceramics from Muang Phan, Chiang Rai Province
    CERAMICS FROM MUANG PHAN, CHIANG RAI PROVINCE by John N. Miksic* The ceramic tradition of northern Thailand bas been a subject of interest to art historians and archeologists, among others, for some time. The development of ceramic technology and products, including high-fired stonewares, is closely linked to the political development of the northern Thai states. The warfare and unstable economic conditions of the late fourteenth and early fifteenth centuries A.D., consequent on • the struggles among several Thai kingdoms, are clearly correlated with the end of ceramic manufacture at the Sawankhalok and Sukbothai kilns. A number of kilns in the provinces of Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai and Lampang seem to have been built at that time, perhaps by potters who were seeking refuge from Ayutthayan invaders (Kraisri 1960: 18)2• Eventually it may be possible to write a comprehensive analysis of the development of Thai ceramics before and after the decline of Sukhothai influence in the late fourteenth ceo tury. It may be assumed that the political events of the time played nearly as important a role in shaping ceramic development as did the hands of the potters themselves. A clear picture of the course of ceramic development in the region, * Department of Anthropology, Cornell University, Ithaca, New York 1485 3, USA. 1. The author wishes to acknowledge the contributions of Mr. Edward DeBruyn, who took the photographs which accompany this article, and of Miss Cynthia Mason, who made the drawings. The author is also indebted to Mr. Dean Frasche, Dr. Barbara Harrisson, Dr. Stanley J. O'Connor, and Dr.
    [Show full text]
  • Gender and Social Inclusion Analysis (Gsia) Usaidlaos Legal Aid Support
    GENDER AND SOCIAL INCLUSION ANALYSIS (GSIA) USAID LAOS LEGAL AID SUPPORT PROGRAM The Asia Foundation Vientiane, Lao PDR 26 July 2019 TABLE OF CONTENTS Table of Contents ............................................................................................................................... i Acronyms ......................................................................................................................................... iii 1. Introduction ...................................................................................................................................1 1.1 Background .......................................................................................................................................... 1 1.2 The Laos Legal Aid Support Program................................................................................................... 1 1.2 This Report ........................................................................................................................................... 2 1.3 Methodology and Coverage ................................................................................................................ 2 1.4 Limitations ........................................................................................................................................... 3 2. Contextual Analysis ........................................................................................................................3 2.1 Gender Equality ..................................................................................................................................
    [Show full text]
  • Mamweb: Regional Styles of Thai Cuisine
    Regional Styles of Thai Cuisine: Thailand is comprised of four main culinary regions, each with their own specialties, and each having slight deviations in flavor profile from that of the Central region, which is considered by most to be the ‘classic’ Thai culinary style. The variations are caused by differences in ethnicity, cultural background, geography, climate, and to some extent, politics. Each ethnographic group can lay claim to dishes which are known nationwide, whether they originated with the Chinese immigrants from Hainan, Fujian, Guangzhou, or Yunnan, the Sunni Muslim Malays or animist Moken sea gypsies in the South, the Mon of the west-Central, the Burmese Shan in the North, the Khmer in the East, or the Lao in the Northeast. Geography and climate determine what can be grown and harvested, and whether the aquatic species consumed in the region are derived from the sea or freshwater. The cuisine of Northeastern Thailand: Aahaan Issan: Issan (also written as Isaan, Isarn, Esarn, Isan) is Thailand’s poorest region, both economically and agriculturally. It is plagued by thin soils, with an underlying layer of mineral salts (mineral salt is harvested and exported country wide). The weather is a limiting factor in agricultural production: it is hotter and dryer during the dry season, and rains can easily become floods, since it is basically a large flat plateau (the Khorat Plateau), hemmed-in by mountain ranges to the west and the south. Watersheds are limited and flow into the Mekong, which serves as a transportation link for trade. Marshes and temporary lakes appear during the rainy season.
    [Show full text]
  • Contactless Carryout Menu
    By Phone (703)-533-9480 6395 Seven Corners Center, Falls Church, VA 22044 G - Gluten Free or can be made gluten free CONTACTLESS CARRYOUT MENU V - Vegetarian or can be made vegetarian - dishes that can be made more or Tuesday - Sunday | Pick Up Period 12PM - 8PM less spicy upon request Unfortunately we cannot accommodate SMALL PLATES substitutions or alternatives MUU LAWD (G) sun-dried & marinated pork jerky, lemongrass, prickly ash peppercorn, sriracha, served with sticky rice 11 SAI OUA (G) spicy herbal pork sausage, ginger sauce, peanuts, served with sticky rice 11 SATAY (G/V) pan fried with peanut sauce, pickled cucumbers & onions 9 Options: Chicken | Crispy Tofu (Vegetarian/Vegan) SALADS TAM MAK HOUNG (G) green papaya salad, padaek, shrimp paste, bird eye chili, tomato, eggplant, lime, garlic, served with sticky rice 11 add rice vermicelli noodles +1 TAM SOM (G) green papaya salad, fish sauce, bird eye chili, tomato, eggplant, lime, garlic, served with sticky rice 11 Options: Regular | Vegetarian/Vegan add rice vermicelli noodles +1 NAEM KHAO THADAEU (G/V) crispy coconut rice salad, peanuts, lime, cilantro, scallion, chili, served with green lettuce wraps 15 Options: Sour Pork | Vegetarian/Vegan with Crispy Tofu LAAB (G/V) minced salad, fish sauce, lime, toasted rice, lemongrass, scallion, cilantro, mint, served with sticky rice 15 Options: Chicken | Tofu (Regular) | Tofu (Vegetarian/Vegan) | Crispy Catfish +1 | Duck + 3 NAM TOK KAW MUU (G) grilled pork shoulder tossed in spicy lime sauce, cilantro, mint, toasted rice, served with
    [Show full text]
  • Nong Khai Nong Khai Nong Khai 3 Mekong River
    Nong Khai Nong Khai Nong Khai 3 Mekong River 4 Nong Khai 4 CONTENTS HOW TO GET THERE 7 ATTRACTIONS 9 Amphoe Mueang Nong khai 9 Amphoe Tha Bo 16 Amphoe Si Chiang Mai 17 Amphoe Sangkhom 18 Amphoe Phon Phisai 22 Amphoe Rattanawapi 23 EVENTS AND FESTIVALS 25 LOCAL PRODUCTS 25 SOUVENIR SHOPS 26 SUGGESTED ITINERARY 26 FACILITIES 27 Accommodations 27 Restaurants 30 USEFUL CALLS 31 Nong Khai 5 5 Wat Aranyabanpot Nong Khai 6 Thai Term Glossary a rebellion. King Rama III appointed Chao Phraya Amphoe: District Ratchathewi to lead an army to attack Vientiane. Ban: Village The army won with the important forces Hat: Beach supported by Thao Suwothanma (Bunma), Khuean: Dam the ruler of Yasothon, and Phraya Chiangsa. Maenam: River The king, therefore, promoted Thao Suwo to Mueang: Town or City be the ruler of a large town to be established Phrathat: Pagoda, Stupa on the right bank of the Mekong River. The Prang: Corn-shaped tower or sanctuary location of Ban Phai was chosen for the town SAO: Subdistrict Administrative Organization called Nong Khai, which was named after a very Soi: Alley large pond to the west. Song Thaeo: Pick-up trucks but with a roof Nong Khai is 615 kilometres from Bangkok, over the back covering an area of around 7,332 square Talat: Market kilometres. This province has the longest Tambon: Subdistrict distance along the Mekong River; measuring Tham: Cave 320 kilometres. The area is suitable for Tuk-Tuks: Three-wheeled motorized taxis agriculture and freshwater fishery. It is also Ubosot or Bot: Ordination hall in a temple a major tourist attraction where visitors can Wihan: Image hall in a temple easily cross the border into Laos.
    [Show full text]
  • Alternative Agriculture in Isan: a Way out for Small-Scale Farmers Michael J
    University of Massachusetts Amherst ScholarWorks@UMass Amherst Master's Capstone Projects Center for International Education 1997 Alternative Agriculture in Isan: A Way Out for Small-Scale Farmers Michael J. Goldberg Follow this and additional works at: https://scholarworks.umass.edu/cie_capstones Part of the Education Commons Goldberg, Michael J., "Alternative Agriculture in Isan: A Way Out for Small-Scale Farmers" (1997). Master's Capstone Projects. 150. Retrieved from https://scholarworks.umass.edu/cie_capstones/150 This Open Access Capstone is brought to you for free and open access by the Center for International Education at ScholarWorks@UMass Amherst. It has been accepted for inclusion in Master's Capstone Projects by an authorized administrator of ScholarWorks@UMass Amherst. For more information, please contact [email protected]. ALTERNATIVE AGRICULTURE IN ISAN: A WAY OUT FOR SMALL-SCALE FARMERS A Thesis Presented by MICHAEL J. GOLDBERG Submitted to the Graduate School of the University of Massachusetts Amherst in partial fulfillment of the requirements of the degree of MASTER OF EDUCATION May 1997 School of Education TABLE OF CONTENTS CHAPTERS I. INTRODUCTION 1 11. THAI DEVELOPMENT: THEORETICAL AND 3 EXPLANATORY CONSIDERATIONS A. Thai Society: A Marxist Perspective 4 B. Human Ecology 6 C. Political Economy 8 Ill. THAI HISTORICAL PROCESS: SOCIAL, ECONOMIC 9 AND POLITICAL CHANGE IN RURAL THAILAND A. Changing Landscape: The Opening of Thailand to 10 the World Market B. Welcome into the Fold: Isan is Incorporated into 13 the Thai State C. Cash Cropping in Isan: 1950's Onward 14 D. Contesting Alternatives 16 IV. TIME FOR CHANGE: A CONVERGENCE OF FACTORS 19 SUPPORT ALTERNATIVE AGRICULTURE A.
    [Show full text]
  • Smallholders and Forest Landscape Restoration in Upland Northern Thailand
    102 International Forestry Review Vol.19(S4), 2017 Smallholders and forest landscape restoration in upland northern Thailand A. VIRAPONGSEa,b aMiddle Path EcoSolutions, Boulder, CO 80301, USA bThe Ronin Institute, Montclair, NJ 07043, USA Email: [email protected] SUMMARY Forest landscape restoration (FLR) considers forests as integrated social, environmental and economic landscapes, and emphasizes the produc- tion of multiple benefits from forests and participatory engagement of stakeholders in FLR planning and implementation. To help inform application of the FLR approach in upland northern Thailand, this study reviews the political and historical context of forest and land manage- ment, and the role of smallholders in forest landscape management and restoration in upland northern Thailand. Data were collected through a literature review, interviews with 26 key stakeholders, and three case studies. Overall, Thai policies on socioeconomics, forests, land use, and agriculture are designed to minimize smallholders’ impact on natural resources, although more participatory processes for land and forest management (e.g. community forests) have been gaining some traction. To enhance the potential for FLR success, collaboration processes among upland forest stakeholders (government, NGOs, industry, ethnic minority smallholders, lowland smallholders) must be advanced, such as through innovative communication strategies, integration of knowledge systems, and most importantly, by recognizing smallholders as legitimate users of upland forests. Keywords: North Thailand, smallholders, forest management, upland, land use Politique forestière et utilisation de la terre par petits exploitants dans les terres hautes de la Thaïlande du nord A. VIRAPONGSE Cette étude cherche à comprendre le contexte politique de la gestion forestière dans les terres hautes de la Thaïlande du nord, et l’expérience qu’ont les petits exploitants de ces politiques.
    [Show full text]
  • Ancient Laos 7N 8D Luang Prabang – Xieng Khouang – Vientiane
    Ancient Laos 7N 8D Luang Prabang – Xieng Khouang – Vientiane Day 01 Hong Kong – Luang Prabang Depart Hong Kong by PG4554 (code share with Cathay Pacific Airways) 0930hrs, arrive Bangkok 1130hrs, connecting flight PG945 departing 1440hrs, arrive Luang Prabang 1650hrs. Meet and greet, hotel transfer. Overnight Luang Prabang. Day 02 Luang Prabang (Pak Ou Caves) Enjoy breakfast in the comfort of your hotel, your Private Tour begins as you are escorted for your Upstream Cruise from the Mekong River to the sacred Pak Ou Buddha Caves. See light misting through thousands of gold lacquered Buddhas of various sizes deposited by locals over the centuries. Continue via a Pak Ou Buddha Caves traditional boat to the Ethnic Minority Villages of the Hmong and Lao Thung tribes. In the afternoon head to Luang Prabang as your tour takes you to the Buddhist temple Wat Xieng Thong tucked away on the northern tip of the peninsula. Considered one of the most important monasteries in the area, standing tall as a significant monument to the spirit of religion, traditional art and royalty. Head to Wat Visoun, originally built during Wat Xieng Thong the rein of King Wisunarat from the early 16th century, Luang Prabang’s oldest operating temple. After checking out Wat Aham your guide will take you to the Ham Kham, the Royal Museum where you can learn about Lao history and culture. Nanda Travel 2522 4228 [email protected] 17-Sep-19 Page 1 Lic 350558 As the day comes to close, ascend to the top of Mt. Phousi, climb 328 steps and you will be rewarded with an amazing view of the city with a charming sunset across the majestic Mekong River.
    [Show full text]