Economic Values and Consumptive Behavior of People at Ban Tiu, Ban Khao Sub-district, Muang District, Mahasarakham Province

Abstract

          The purpose of this research is to study economic values and consumptive behavior of people at Ban Tiu, Ban Khao Sub-district, Muang District, Mahasarakham Province. This is based on qualitative research. The tools used for data collection is the semi-structured interview. It is for interviewing 30 representatives or heads of households in the village then analyzing the data by descriptive statistics.

          The results are that the economic values of people are derived from interviewees who have average annual incomes of 20,000 baht per household. Half of them have uncertain incomes and some of these incomes must rely on children’s support. In one year, they expense more than 10,000 baht per household. For consumptive behavior of people, it is derived from expenses which are classified into 4 factors: 1) food expense: it is about 100 to 200 bath every week, including vegetables, fruits, and pork; 2) the price of land for living: it ranges from 10,000 to 100,000 baht which equals 43.33% of households, and 30% of it concerns with spending the cost of home maintenance. In addition, equipment and supplies that must be paid such as fan, iron, and electric rice cooker; 3) expenditure on clothing purchase: it equals 86.66% of households which spend infrequently, frequently, and sometimes respectively; 4) medical expense: it is at an average cost of 500 baht per household each time. Most of households have mobile phones which equal 83.30% and home phones equal 26.70%. Furthermore, the other factors such as computers, stereos, and CD players, respectively are spent by some households. Textbooks for children equal 16.70% of them, whereas newspaper equal 56.67%. Purchase of goods and tourism equal 33.33%. The gambling behavior is found that 46.67% of them every 15 days and the average amount of it equal 73.33% used to make merit frequently.