Abstract:
This research aims to study economic history of Chiangkhan City during 1911 - 2012 by using the qualitative method as descriptive analysis. The economy of Chiangkhan City dramatically changed in last recent 100 years from self-sufficient economy to dynamic trade with the influx of Chinese national merchants and the expansion of infrastructure, especially the main road access into Chiangkhan City. These factors contributed to an expansion of economic growth before 1975. But during the Indochina war affected to the termination of international trade between Laos and Thailand. This led to a slow economic growth of Chiangkhan despite an expansion of cash crops. Until the booming of ecotourism and cultural tourism of Pai City has influenced tourism in Chiangkhan. Together, it was supported by government and local authorities in the region making the economy of Chiangkhan being rehabilitated again. The result of this development has been mainly with local people. The external funds were still not fully invested due to the strength of internal funds accumulated since the trading period. Therefore, local people have been getting mutual benefits of such tourisms. However, a rapid expansion of tourism has brought social problems, environmental problems, alien labor problems and change of cultures. Such problems were similar to other tourism places.