Abstract:
Purpose of the Study 1. To study the economic , social, education, political administration, public health, religious, belief, culture and tradition, and living condition of Chaoley. 2. To study their living condition with respect to the "basic needs" and "quality of life" development concepts. 3. To study their educational needs to improve their quality of life. Procedure This research combined the qualitative and quantitative methodologies. Population under study comprised of 84 families of Chaoley who call themselves "New Thais", residing at Rawai Beach in Muang District of Phuket Province. The author carried out research while living in the village for 5 months. Field techniques include participant observation, in-depth interviews and questionaire enumeration and research instruments consist of village mapping, interview guides, photography, tape recording, interpreters, and questionnaires. Findings 1. Living conditions. 1.1 There are altogether 439 people living as minority people at Rawai Beach. Their features were that of Malaysians. They had their own dialects, but had no alphabet. Houses are simply built on private land. These people dislike strangers, heavy drinkers and enjoy gambling. 1.2 Most of chaoley were fishermen. They preferred to sell their catches at their places, rather than go out and 'sell at the market. Most of these people were poor and wanted their family members to earn additional income. They did not want to change their means of livelihood, but would like the Government or the government agencies concerned to promote or support by introducting new fishing teachniques. 1.3 Most of the people got married when they were between 14-16 years of age. Wives were normally regarded as leaders of families. Each family comprised about 5-6 members. Most of couple had 3-4 children. They were content and prefered to continue living in the village. 1.4 Most of Chaoiey are Buddhist, but not religious. They were superstitious anf followed traditional practices. Meanwhile, they also excepted certain traditions and practices from the nearly villages. 1.5 The majority of Chaoley were healthy, had sufficient supply of food and water. They did not have sanitary facilities and were suffering from skin disease. They prescribed their own medicines when were sick. The infants were breast-fed by their mothers. Family planning programme was being implemented in the village. 1.6. The majority of the people were illeterate because the children were discouraged to study in the schools with other villagers. But they wanted to have their own school in the village. However, some of chaoley enrolled in the non-formal education programmes offered the Non-formal Education Center. 1.7 None of the people owned land. They resided on the landlords' land without having to pay rental fees. However, they had to abide by the conditions laid down by the landlords. None of the people paid income tax or joined millitary service. They also had very little interests in the country's politics and/or local administration. 2. The living standard of the poeople did not meet the national standard target set for 1986. For them, quality of life meant a decent life (kin dee yu dee) both physically and mentally. They also agreed with the basic needs indicators used by the Thai government in evaluating the quality of life. 3. Chaoley wanted most to know how to write and read as well as knowledge related to their occupation. Beside, they neaded basic health care and fundamental knowledge in community living. They prefered non-formal education and prefered to have knowledgable persons to teaching or advis them. 4. Problems faced by Chaoley were poverty, illeteracy, landlessness and lack of sanitary facilities. The quality of life could be improved by provid an appropriate education system, i-e, different forms of non-formal education, which would help them learn how to read and write as well as accupational skills and be able to improve their living standard.