HISTORICAL AND CULTURAL STUDIES IN TOK PHROM SUBDISTRICT, KHLUNG DISTRICT, CHANTHABURI PROVINCE WITH PARTICIPATORY PROCEDURES

Abstract

The objectives of this research were to 1) study and analyze  local history of Tok Phrom Subdistrict, Khlung District, Chanthaburi Province, Thailand and 2) create educational media about the local history of Tok Phrom Subdistrict, Khlung District, Chanthaburi Province. The research was conducted by qualitative methods. The collected data included field data obtained from documents, interviews and group conversations with key informants who were folk philosophers. The descriptive analysis was employed to present the results of the study.

The results revealed that the beginning period of Tok Phrom Subdistrict, Khlung District, Chanthaburi Province might be full of  fertile forests. There might not be many people living there. Original people living in this area included Chong ethnic groups, who were indigenous ethnic groups of Chanthaburi Province and eastern Thailand. Later, this area might be developed into an area for growing economic crops such as rubber trees, corns, cassavas, and many more.   Around 1985 to 1990, a period of gem mining was discovered. The discovered gems were known as ‘Tok Phrom Gems’. This turned agricultural lands into a gem mine. There were many foreigners who immigrated here to dig and trade gems. Therefore, this area was very well-known for gemstones. In terms of cultural characteristics and traditions, Tok Phrom Subdistrict could be considered as a place with its own unique culture and identity. There were places for paying respect to religious spirits such as Tok Phrom Temple and  Sator Noi Temple.    There was a belief of worshipping spirit shrines. The spirit shrines included Chao Pho Noen Jang Shrine, Chao Pho Tok Phrom Shrine, Lak Daeng Shrine, and a few more. At present, the area of Tok Phrom Subdistrict has changed from being a gemstone mine to an area for growing different economic crops such as durians, mangosteens, bananas, longkongs, and many more.

Obtained local history information from this study, which was implemented to create educational materials about Tok Phrom Subdistrict, Khlung District, Chanthaburi Province, was divided into five topics, including 1) History of the Tok Phrom Subdistrict Community, 2) the Source of Tok Phrom Subdistrict’s Precious Gems, 3) Tok Phrom Subdistrict’s Old Pictures Narrating the Past of Famous Fruit Orchards, 4) ‘Rum Suat’, a Folk Performance of Tok Phrom Subdistrict, and 5) ‘Phi Hing’ (Literally: Spirits in the Shrine) Rituals and Beliefs about Paying Respect to the Villagers’ Ancestors in Tok Phrom Subdistrict, Khlung District, Chanthaburi Province.