“Chaw Poo-Phan”: The Socio-economic Changes of the Communities around Bo Phan Khan in Suwannaphum District, Roi Et Province during 1981-2017

Abstract

This article wants to show socio-economic change. arising from various development projects of the state, which play an important role in making a local belief of Chaw Poo-Phan  change dynamically with a historical study method employed, It was found that before 1981, Poo-Phan's belief played a role as a ghost who took care of salt wells and looked after the peace of communities living around Bo Phan Khan and other communities who came to make salt such as communities in Phanomprai and Suwannaphum district, Roi Et Province and Rasisalai district Sisaket Province. Later, in 1981, after the construction of irrigation to block the Siaw river causing the salt ponds to flood and became a large basin, As a result, the community could no longer produce salt. The holy power of the Poo-Phan's faith began to loosen and changed a role as the keeper of the water source instead. However, since  2007, Chaw Poo-Phan's divine power had once again spread over a wide area. Under the context of tourism by local communities Chaw Poo-Phan therefore has a new role as a belief that inspires success in life, fortune, rank, and fame in people's lives. In addition, the Chaw Poo-Phan belief is used as bargaining power for the community to negotiate with bureaucracy, ritual leaders, and the Buddhist clergy in complex ways.