Abstract:
The purposes of this research are to study the living conditions and to solve the housing problems for Cambodian merchants in Tatesaban 3 as well as to propose guidelines for their housing arrangements to the government and the related private sector. The sample includes Cambodian merchants living in 195 one-and-a-half storied commercial units, each of which had an area of 75 square meters. The merchants and five of those who played a part in developing this area were interviewed. It was found that the merchants faced 4 problems. 1) Clothing was the goods sold most and besides earning money from selling goods, they could earn more money from leasing some of the area to others. Most of them earned 20,001 - 35,000 baht a month on average and could set aside 4,176 baht a month. 2) Their living behavior and their use of area in the building could be prioritized as follows: 1. an area for displaying goods, 2. an area for stock, and 3. an area for living. Most of them put an addition to the building to have more area for displaying goods. 3) Problems aboutpublic utilities and theft were considered small. 4) When asked about the need for new housing, 82.1% (160 units) did not want it because 1. they have a house in Cambodia which is not far from where they live now, 2. they could not afford the rent, and 3. they wanted to live there to look after their goods. The guidelines for arranging housing for them can be carried out as follows : 1) The existing housing should be improved since it is crowded, causing environmental problems. There are health and safety risks in using the building caused by the merchants. 2) Community planning of the commercial area at the Baan Khlong Leuk - Poi Pet Permanent Checkpoint (Rong Kleau Market - Tatesaban 3 Market) should be carried out to determine the function of the area in line with the living behavior and the trading behavior of the merchants. 3) The related government and private agencies should plan the use of the land and set up the bordering town planning to meet the growing business along the border according to the needs of the private investment. This will enable Thailand to systematically control of the foreigners earning a living in the country and this should be taken as an operational procedure at every checkpoint.