Thung Sai's Local History and Human Capital on Traditions, Cultures, and Natural Resources Awareness of Thung Sai Municipality Sichon District of Nakhon Si Thammarat Province, Thailand

บทคัดย่อ

The research aims to (1) examine the historical development of Thung Sai Sub-district Municipality Sichon District of Nakhon Si Thammarat, Thailand across three main aspects: (a) perceptions related to initial settlement and governance structures prior to the formation of the sub-district municipality; (b) recognition of Wat Suchon and the Ta Pha Khao symbol; and (c) memories surrounding the 100-year-old Hua Tha Market community; (2) develop a local studies curriculum. This qualitative research employs in multiple research mythologies, including document analysis, fieldworks, group discussions, interviews, observations, and participatory action research. The researchers compiled the information from reliable and logical sources and had its content—analyzed based on the objectives and research frameworks. The researchers used the information gained to make local history presentations.

The findings revealed that (1) the perception of early settlement and governance reflects that approximately 200 years ago, a group of villagers from Khanom District, Nakhon Si Thammarat Province, and Koh Samui District, Surat Thani Province, arrived to travelled by boat near present-day Bang Por Beach; (2) the recognition of Wat Suchon and Ta Pha Khao coincided with villagers' arrival, as a spiritual symbol, developed in parallel, initially marked by a simple white flag at Bang Por Beach Cave, culminating in 2006 with the construction of a large pavilion housing the Ta Pha Khao statue for community worship; (3) memories of the Hua Tha Market, which emerged around 1937 due to limited boat-only transport to Thung Sai and Sichon, where goods were exchanged at a large port-side market till it was declined due to the highway construction in 1977. As part of the action research, the research team developed resources such as books, a mobile exhibition, and a documentary on Thung Sai’s historical heritage, provided to the community through Wat Suchon and local primary and secondary schools in Thung Sai Sub-district. These activities have contributed to strengthening community citizenship awareness and preserving local traditions, cultures, and resources. The body of knowledge of this participatory research, the researchers applied the body of knowledge of the Thung Sai’s settlement and its administration development, the perception of Suchon Temple and Ta Pha Khao together with a 100-year-old market to make local history presentations.