Agrarian Transition in Northern Thailand (1966-2006): from Peri-urban to Mountain Margins

Abstract

This study focuses on agrarian transition in four Northern Thailand villages, located both in periurban area and mountain margins, on a relatively long period of 36 to 40 years (1966-2006). Small handicraft or semi-industrial businesses that were not around in 1970 are now found in the remote villages. Forest environment protection measures are resulting from NGO interventions since 2000 and State aid: stop in slash and burn agriculture, construction of small dams, fire prevention corridors development and night surveillance in critical times. In peri-urban villages, businesses located in the neighbouring town or villages provide home working or attract workers from the village. This explains increase in non-agricultural income, as well as seasonal or temporary labour mobility, in these villages whose appearance still remains essentially rural. The vast majority of households and individuals rely either on both agricultural and non-agricultural activities or solely on non-agricultural ones. However, agriculture is still present, including subsistence rice culture, as a way of life or cultural fact (inherited community structures), even though population practicing this activity is aging.