Abstract:
This research aimed to study the cultural economy history of Champasak province on the right bank of the Mekong River and its cultural economy development trend. This was a quality research which four meetings of Appreciation-Influence-Control (AIC) were operated in Champasak province on the right bank of the Mekong River.
The research findings were revealed as follows :
During the French colonial control (1893-1954), The Kingdom of Laoss resources such as soil, water and forest were still fertile. Laotians had followed local wisdom from their parents and used local technology which could be produced by oneself and it became a culture. This was called Self-Sufficiency Economy although some people were employed by French for cutting trees to collect money for paying in lieu of working for the government, but most people had to work because they had no money for paying. If they would like to well their buffaloes, they had to go to Cambodia where they were not allowed by the French. Later, the Kingdom of Laos had ger own member of the House of Representatives in 1950. Laotians at that time were not forced to work for French like in the past.
During this period, the cultural economy of Champasack provice on the right bank of the Mekong River ha developed ver slowly. Many products were very poor in quality. The French temporarily lost their control of Laos towards the end of World War II, when they were replaced by the victorious Japanese armies. When Japan was defeated in World War II, the French had came back again. The Free Laos government could not fight with the French because the had no arms and money. Then, they had left to the forest and established the Free Lao government for fighting with the Vientiane government. The French completely lost their control of Laos at Dien Bien Phu in 1954.
During the time when the country was under U.S.A control (1954-1975), Laoss resources such as soil, water and forest were still fertile. People had developed their skills very much in various occupations. They began in trades and industries which they learned how to sell their rice and agricultural products. The population increased and some people moved in from the Northeastern of Thailand. The people had started using new agricultural technology such as pesticides, mini rice mills, but they still used family workers, gathering for growing rice or asking help from friends and neighbors for special words.
While the development of economic, social and political life of the country progressed very slowly due to the conflict between the Right, which controlled the power in Vientiane and other major towns along the areas close to the Mekong River, and the Leftist Pathet Lao, which was in control of the eastern forested areas from the North to South. The people suffered from living even though they could produce just enough for their family. Still, some were able to produce enough for selling. However, the Leftist Pathet Lao finally won the war in 1975 through the assistance of communist governments, especially the North Vietnamese government and the Soviet Union.
During previous economic reformation of Lao Peoples Democratic Republic (1975-1985), the Lao government was able to solve the economic crisis in various ways for reaching the development of the country. The government set up agricultural cooperative with two purposes of stabling nation and decreasing hierarchy. According to the economical measurement, it was found that the project was not much successful because agriculturists were not responsible and lacked of harmony. Fortunately, the natural resources supported the country surviving. Moreover, each family could use the fertile material resources for ones living.
During post economic reformation of Lao Peoples Democratic Republic (from 1986 to the present time), the economy had been growing continuously. The country could produce enough goods for her own citizens. Due to the growing industries, transportation, education, public health, electricity, water system and drinking water, and telecommunication, reformation took place and much development occurred by the basic of development construction of the country. These could contribute to the people having knowledge, getting wealth and poor families had decreased by 13% from overall families of Champasack province on the right bank of the Mekong River and the poor villages had decreased by 28 from overall villages of Champasack provice on the right bank of the Mekong River.
Concerning the political influence, modern technology, and approaching information, ways of earning of the people changed, but good relationship between relatives and neighbors stemming from Buddhism and rice farming still remained a major occupation for the local economy and others towards political changes.
However, the way to develop the cultural economy of Champasack province on the right bank of the Mekong River should be sustainable to facilitate in solving poverty problems and make progress, using internal sources and aids while external factors were employed to support it for the sustainable development desired.
The researchs suggestion was that the people should use valuable dimensions of local history for the development of their local community to realize their own origin, be proud, be concerned and be responsible in their locale as much as they could. Of course, these actions would develop the cultural economy of Champasack province on the right bank of the Mekong River in the long term.