Contradictions on the Struggles over Resources and Contesting Terrain of Ethnic Groups on the Hill in Protected Area, Chom Thong, Chiang Mai

Abstract

"A process of incorporating all communities to be under control of the nation state, interference of market system, process of extension of the state power controlling over natural resources through law and conservation policy mechanism, development process enclosing highland communities, as well as myth construction of 'The Other' based on ethnocentrism, all have caused the contradiction and conflict over control over the resource among 4 main social power groups namely the state, lowlanders, NGOs and highlanders [ethnic groups on the hill].

"From a research on conflict and competition among interest groups over natural resources on aspects of land-use, water-use and forest conservation, it was found that both Hmong and Pga-ker-yoeu ethnic groups [Karen] were restricted in term of rights to access and use their resources. Therefore they lost power and legitimacy of resources control and management.

"However, ethnic groups on the hill do not surrender to such pressure condition. They have tried to struggle, retaliated, and adapt themselves variously and flexibly among specific condition and occasion in the community in order to create their own area on the competition arena for resources both at the local and public/policy level.

"The process of contesting terrain of ethnic groups on the hill consists of 3 processes. First is a construction of ethnicity. They are people who have local knowledge and wisdom, as well as represent new identity of 'Thainess', comprising diversities of ethnicity and culture. Second is a construction of ethnic network and adjusting of communities organisation for the struggle movement to change policy, law and regulations, and highland development strategy of the state. Third is to present the concrete initiation of sustainable development that could be practiced in the actual living.

"Process of assertion of the rights and legitimacy for resources management as contesting terrain is still continuing together with the competition, between interest groups, for power over definition of meaning of conservation."