1 4. Way of Life of Thai-Chinese people in Ratchaburi 4.1 The Availability of Shrines and Vegetarian Cafeterias Where Chinese People Live. When the Chinese people are grouped together as a community, they often build shrines and vegetarian cafeterias. This is the cultural phenomenon that often occurs alongside. Chinese people in Ratchaburi are similar to other groups of Chinese people elsewhere in Thailand in term of gods and ancestral spirits worshiping. At the same time, they also make merit in Buddhist’s ways. Another belief that Chinese people practice is Confucianism. Basically, the concepts of Confucianism are about cultural practice, honesty, loyalty, proper respect for the seniors and family relationship, ancient rituals, as well as pursuit of knowledge. In Chinese New Year's Day or Chinese Midyear Remembrance Ceremony Day, Chinese people still remain to practice these beliefs. The Chinese community may be compared as "Chinatown of Ratchaburi" such as Chinese communities in Ratchaburi city, Ban Pong Municipality, and Photharam Municipality. In addition, there are some centers organized to run activities according to their beliefs. The centers are considered as their traditions such as the shrines of Guan Yu (Guan Kong) in Photharam District and Ratchaburi city, the shrines of Chao Mae Tuptim in Ratchaburi city, Ban Pong District, Damnoen Saduak District and Photharam District etc. 4.2 Famous Damnoen Saduak Canal was made by Chinese People According to the history, Damnoen Saduak canal was ordered to be built in 1866. Most of the workers who dug the canal were Chinese immigrants. They came to Siam at the end of the reign of King Rama IV (King Mongkut passed way in 1868). It was said that even though Chinese workers were just canal diggers, they paid good attention to their job. When digging the canal from one side to the other side for 12 meters in width, 3 meters in depth, and 40 meters in length, they skipped digging for about 1 meter and repeated doing this process. This process made the soil in the canal looked like a half-round bamboo pole that had internodes. When finished digging, They Initially released water into the canal. The impact of water flowing into the canal resulted in un-claying the soil and breaking down into the mud. This could save lots of labors and wages. However, it took three years to finish digging the canal. At that time, Siamese had encountered the shortage of labor. A lot of Chinese people then were hired to dig the canal and they had the important roles in contributing the canal to use for transportation and providing adequate water for agriculture. 2 4.3 From the ordinary coolies to bankers who control national economy Although, not all of Chinese people are bankers, over a hundred years, a group of former laborers and their descendants have a stable economic status. They own some personal businesses such as garages, pig farms, rice mills, sawmills, fish sauce factories, mines, bean sprout cultivating factory etc. There are various factors encouraged Chinese people in Ratchaburi Province, Thailand to be successful in their careers. 4.4 Chinese People and Trading One characteristic of Chinese people is having good trading skill. The reason that Chinese people have been successful in trading in Thailand and Ratchaburi Province is because Thais and people from other cultures do not expertise in trading as they value in “sharing food and things with others”. So Chinese people can sell things to Thais and people from other cultures conveniently. As all of them are “customers”, Chinese people don’t have to worry about personal relationship but they support each other in term of capital subsidizing to trade, product transferring to markets in their networks and systematically marketing. Therefore, Chinese people from everywhere including in Ratchaburi Province play the important role in the economy. 4.5 Chinese people in Ratchaburi Province with vegetable gardens When Chinese people came to Thailand, they saw large and fertile areas with plant nutrients. They then decided to plant crops for “selling” which was a new planting style in the local area. At that time, Thai people probably underestimated why Chinese people grew crops for selling as every Thai household normally had their own gardens. However, some households didn’t have vegetables and fruits to be shared with others. Interestingly, Chinese people in Ratchaburi did not just aim to sell to people in the community but to sell the crops to people in the other cities including foreigners. This could be said that growing a lot of plants in a spacious area or a large garden was the concept and method created by Chinese people or at least Chinese people in Ratchaburi Province had done it systematically. When looking back on the history of gardens or vegetable farms in Ratchaburi, it could be found that the origin of the cultivation came from Chinese ancestors. 4.6 Chinese people and Carpentry /Craftsman 3 Traditionally, Thai people normally sat on the ground. When guests visited them, they would bring a mat for guests to sit. However, if the guests were seniors or leaders who were surrounded by many people, Thai people would bring a pedestal or a bench for them to sit. In case of precious things, they were normally wrapped or put in boxes. When Chinese were accustomed to Thai society, they also brought various equipment with them such as chairs, tables, stools, closets, and shelves. The equipment was still called by their original Chinese names. The household objects were made of solid wood. The knowledge of Chinese woodwork was very elegant and unique. Therefore, the culture and knowledge of carpentry in Thailand were partly influenced by Chinese people. .