Betel Culture and Betel Nut Management of Bang Sawan Sub-district, Phrasaeng District, Surat Thani Province

Abstract

Abstract

            The research on betel nut culture and betel nut management of Bang Sawan sub-district, Phrasaeng district, Surat Thani province aims to investigate and study current qualities and existence of betel nut and betel nut management of Bang Sawan sub-district; and find out the betel nut management which leads to strengthen quality of life. The study conducted the documentary research method and field data collection. The research presentation performed the descriptive analysis. The study found the following results. (1) Bang Sawan sub-district’s qualities and existence of betel nut had 3 varieties i.e. local, new and forest varieties. In the past, local people preferred growing the local variety mixed up with other plants and grew the betel along their boundary line for household consumption. Later, they planted the betel garden separated from other plants. Currently, local people grew betel nut in all community area but the betel nut decreased in number because monoculture was preferred. (2) Referring to current betel nut culture and betel nut management of Bang Sawan sub-district, the betel nut culture entered the area via betel utilization of people life. It reflected relationship between people and nature as they utilized the plant for food, integrated gardening resources, materials for building dwelling, medicine and plaything. The betel nut culture also reflected relationship between people and superstition as they used the betel for rite, belief and tradition. Besides, it reflected relationship between people and people as they were used as friendship symbol and sufficiency economy until now. Currently, the betel nut management based on the transmission of ancestor’s intellect, valuation and utilization and knowledge in form of learning, conservation, reproduction, knowledge management, economic management, application and creation, assembly and connection with external aspects as sub-district people played crucial role in sufficiency foundation management. The major problems were fading knowledge of betel nut and the existing knowledge superseded by new technologies and reducing integrated management of way of life appropriateness. (3) The betel nut management leading to quality of life strengthening was the pattern resulted from learning and participation process under the synthesis of development concept of The Royal Chitralada Projects, Sustainable Development Concept, sufficiency economy concept and cultural resources management concept with existing betel nut management phenomenon. The applicable management patterns under practice and knowledge creation were found in 2 related patterns as follows. (1) management pattern based on holistic life/integration/betel nut culture under conservation, inheritance, development, application and restoration in all aspects suitable to communities and era and (2) pattern of betel learning center as an alive learning center.

Keywords: Betel Culture, Betel Nut Management,

                Bang Sawan Sub-district