Heet-Kong Isaan (Isaan Tradition and Government):Problems and Potential of Natural Resources and Environment, Economy, Society and Local Wisdom of Isaan, Thailand

Abstract

Isaan or Northeast of Thailand is a region that has the unique culture and tradition of Heet-Kong (Traditions and Governments) which is good to be preserved, inherited, and adopted as a lifestyle practice especially the 12 Heat-14 Kong (12 Traditions and 14 Government Methods). These can be regarded as the traditions of the Isan people that have been practiced for a long time from generation to generation. Therefore, this research aimed to explore the problem condition and potential of natural resources and environment, economy, society, local wisdom Isaan (Heet-Kong). The instruments were observation, recording, interviewing the 20 key-informants. Combine both primary and secondary data, and perform content analysis. The research results were found that the problem condition and potential of natural resources and environment, economy, society, Heet-Kong wisdom in Isan area has 3 aspects as follows; (1) Natural resources and environment: The main problems of the community are drought conditions, lack of fertility soil, not suitable for agricultural cultivation, sandy soil texture, not hygroscopic, thus lacking the potential for plant life as a basis. However, but with the familiar way of life of the community, it is not considered a hindrance, as it has long been used to such conditions for many ages, which has been improving and developing the quality of using natural resources appropriately. (2) the economic, it was found that the economic situation in the past relied on natural resources to make a living by relying on subsistence agriculture through rice cultivation, then, step towards the development of agricultural industrial society such as sugarcane, cassava, and monoculture. That brings raw materials to the factory to process products and services in response to social consumerism (mass production). And (3) Heat-Kong Isaan Local Culture, even if the economy, society, the way of life in the Northeast in the community have changed or the capitalist economic flows have been overwhelming, Heet-Kong Isaan was still the core that holds the mind, still has the belief and practice of Buddhism which was the center of faith in creating the happiness of love, rely on each other until it is regarded that the community receives good from nature and is a sustained family and community immunity.