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Vol. 7 No. 2 (2023): NOVEMBER

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The Good Life: Agriculture Transformation and the Pursuance of Goals in Two Rural Villages of Northeastern Thailand

https://doi.org/10.24259/fs.v7i2.26224
Buapun Promphakping
Research Group on Wellbeing and Sustainable Development (WeSD), Faculty of Humanity and Social Sciences, Khon Kaen University, Khon Kaen, Thailand
https://orcid.org/0000-0001-9171-8146
Ninlawadee Promphakping
Research Group on Wellbeing and Sustainable Development (WeSD), Faculty of Humanity and Social Sciences, Khon Kaen University, Khon Kaen, Thailand
https://orcid.org/0000-0003-0169-3470
Pornpen Somaboot
Research Group on Wellbeing and Sustainable Development (WeSD), Faculty of Humanity and Social Sciences, Khon Kaen University, Khon Kaen, Thailand
https://orcid.org/0000-0002-8057-317X
Pattaraporn Weeranakin
Department of Social Development, Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences Khon Kaen University, Khon Kaen, Thailand
https://orcid.org/0000-0002-8139-7323
Monchai Phongsiri
Center for Research on Plurality in the Mekong Region (CERP), Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences, Khon Kaen University, Khon Kaen, Thailand
https://orcid.org/0000-0002-8272-5026

Corresponding Author(s) : Buapun Promphakping

buapun@kku.ac.th

Forest and Society, Vol. 7 No. 2 (2023): NOVEMBER

Abstract

Agricultural transformation of the developing world encompasses a broad set of subjects, usually revolving around the change in the mode of production and related aspects of production. However, the extent to which the transformation shapes subjective wellbeing is largely under explored. This paper examines how the constructed life goals of local people are shaped by the process of agricultural transformation and how they strive to attain wellbeing. We are especially interested in the ways rural dynamics are changing as a result. The empirical data is based on a two-village study using qualitative methods. The good life of rural people is classified into five types of life goals, including good health, decent quality of education and future employment opportunity for youth, good family relationships, having enough for living and eating, and self-sufficiency. Good health encompasses both the strength of the physical body and spiritual. The agricultural transformation has emerged new challenges to health, particularly the chemical use in agriculture that deteriorated the quality of the environment. The decent quality of education and future employment are attributed to education qualification and jobs with monthly salary. The high competition and the lack of social and political networks have lowered the expectation of rural people from getting government jobs. The transformation resulted in sprit types of family due to migration, while rural people remain highly valued good family relationships, in which modern technology such as cell phone play a part in maintaining distance interaction and good relations. Having enough for eating and living reflects the high priority that rural people giving on foods and housing. This is associated with the growing indebtedness that is threatening the loss of lands and property that are used for debt collateral. Finally, the self-sufficiency that was initiated by King Bhumipol is seen and adopted as a promising means to achieve a good life, however, self-sufficiency is variously defined.

Keywords

Good life Subjective wellbeing Rural transformation Northeast Thailand Local Livelihoods Life Goals
Promphakping, B., Promphakping, N. ., Somaboot, P. ., Weeranakin, P., & Phongsiri, M. (2023). The Good Life: Agriculture Transformation and the Pursuance of Goals in Two Rural Villages of Northeastern Thailand. Forest and Society, 7(2), 467-483. https://doi.org/10.24259/fs.v7i2.26224
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