The 16 Provinces Rubber Farmers Association: From Standard Living Problems Towards Changing Policy

Abstract

The purposes of this research article were: 1) to explore an establishment of the 16 Provinces Rubber Farmers Association 2) to study a social movement tactics and 3) to find out a policy recommendation for developing rubber system in Thailand. This research article is quality research by mix methods include a sample of 49 participants as advisers, members of association, representative of other networking organizations, observe and review documentary research. The findings indicated that the 16 Provinces Rubber Farmers Association founded from a global price of rubber and the Thai Public Administration that inefficiency. But the traditional social movement approach, such as demonstration are not working anymore because of global price and domestic politics was unstable. The southern rubber farmers learn to adapt an ideas and tactics, then they develop a new social movement are coordinating with network organization, joining with an academic area, moving to government authorities, two ways strategies, finding a national and global networking, Finally, this article will point out the success of their movement and policy recommendations to the government and civil societies for applying sustainable solution as changing rubber farmer’s mindset, implementation a sustainable approach and empowerment the rubber farmers institute.