Local People's Memories of Refugee Camps in the Thai-Cambodian Border Areas of Sa Kaeo and Chantaburi Provinces and Guideline for Life and Community Development

บทคัดย่อ

This research aims to compile and analyze stories from the memories of local people in Thai-Cambodian border areas and to present guidelines which can be used to develop border communities. Fieldwork information was collected through interviews by the Subdistrict Administrative Organization. Thirty villagers with specific relevant experiences were selected to be interviewed. The data were analyzed according to the theory of biography research. The results of the study provide information about the arrival of Cambodian refugees into the camps at different periods and with diverse groups of Cambodians, along with interactions between the refugees in the camp and Thai people at border areas. When the refugee camps were closed, the majority of people were deported back to Cambodia. Only a small percentage have the rights to emigrate and live in third countries. The results of group discussions with representatives of local administrative, educational, and cultural departments yielded guidelines for using research results for development. In short term, the community disseminates information through social media to make it become widely well-known, with an aim to emphasize the importance of the border area as a place with sentimental and memory values. In long term, the community will build the learning centers, monuments, accommodations and souvenir shops for visitors because former immigrants and those who have worked with the camps come back to visit the place regularly throughout the year. Nowadays, the community is seriously progressing forward on social communication via Facebook, Tik Tok, and Instagram. At Sa Kaeo, the Khao I Dang Learning Center was established. In Chanthaburi, the bunkers have been preserved. Both of these places have expanded the legacy of memories and developed the area into a source for learning about local history. To ensure longevity of learning, local schools have added local history subjects to the educational curriculum. They have the right to narrate the history of their hometown to formulate it as part of the national history and fulfill the world history of mankind.