Community of Tai Song Dam; Immigration and Settlements into Southern Thailand

Abstract

The article attempted to investigate immigration and settlement circumstances of Tai Song dam ethnic group in Chumporn province and Surat Thani province, southern Thailand. Qualitative methodological approach was adopted in order to collect field data. Observation, life history approach, in-depth interview, and group interview were used as research tools. Research results found that Tai Song Dam ethnic community has settled down in southern Thailand for decades. Tai Song Dam ethnic group emigrated from central provinces where were Pethchaburi, Ratchburi, Nakorn Pathom, and, Suphanburi, and settled down in Chumporn province specifically in Ban Don Rueb, Ban Kor Tia, and Ban Bang Long, while others settled down in Surat Thai specifically in Ban Don Mali, Nasarn municipality, and Ban Lam Yoong. Daily practices of Tai Song Dam ethnic group was closely related to Buddhism so that they produced their own local  instant, the ethnic group constructed Tai Song Dam cultural center in order to activate Buddhism-related activity. However, some Tai Sung Dam rituals still relied on spirits such as Ka La Hong ritual, ancestor spirits worshiping, Sane Reun ritual, and Pad Tong ritual. Another finding found that male held higher social status than female in accordance with original Tai Song Dam ethnic tradition.activity which strongly relied on Buddhism. For