Journal of Man and Society

Folklore in the Beauty Pageant of “Miss Duangdee Sri Sawankhalok”: Creative Practices in Pageantry Using Local Cultural Capital

Surachet Khuhalerd — 2025-12-03

This qualitative research examines the folklore associated with the Miss Duangdee Srisawankhalok beauty pageant. It investigates the creative processes through which the local cultural capital in Sawankhalok District, Sukhothai Province, is applied in designing the event. Data were collected through interviews and participant observation, and analyzed using the creative folklore conceptual framework. Results show that pageant activities comprise three types of folklore: 1) beliefs; 2) ritual traditions; and 3) oral literature. The creative process, grounded in local cultural capital, comprises three main approaches: (1) culturally based creative thinking, (2) event design that integrates folklore with contemporary contexts, and (3) transmission strategies that generate cultural impacts.

Folklore in the Novel Garin: Mysterious Occult Case

Sirikanda Udornphaew — 2025-11-20

This article aims to examine the folkloric elements embedded in the novel series Garin’s Uncanny File, authored under the pen name “Ai.” The series comprises three parts, Garin’s Uncanny File, Garin’s Uncanny Files II, and a special part, amounting to a total of 21 books. The study identifies four categories of folklore presented throughout the series: (1) Folklore in the verbal arts, including folk songs, proverbs, idioms, and toponyms; (2) Material culture, represented through folk architecture; (3) Performing folk arts, reflected in folk games, particularly games involving object manipulation; and (4) Social folk customs, encompassing beliefs, rituals, and traditions. Among these categories, social folk customs appear most frequently, with seven distinct forms, followed by folklore in the verbal arts (six forms), material culture (five forms), and performing folk arts (one form). The presence of these folkloric elements reflects fundamental belief systems within Thai society and enhances the overall appeal of the series. Readers who share this cultural background can more readily perceive the emotional nuances and intentions conveyed by the author. Furthermore, the incorporation of folklore plays a pivotal role in constructing the fantasy dimension of Garin’s Uncanny File. In particular, the category of social folk customs associated with the supernatural, such as beliefs in spirits, animistic entities, occult practices, and ritual magic, significantly contributes to both plot development and narrative structure. These elements function not only as devices that drive the storyline but also as components that shape the distinctive identity of Thai fantasy literature through the fusion of contemporary narrative techniques and traditional folk wisdom. Consequently, the series evokes an atmosphere of mystery, suspense, and other worldliness that resonates with readers through shared cultural foundations.

Local Vegetables in Isan Palm-Leaf Medical Manuscripts

Narongsak Rawarin — 2025-11-27

This research aims to study the medicinal properties of local vegetables as recorded in Isan palm-leaf manuscripts, to analyze the frequency of their medicinal properties, and to explore the role of herbal plants in ancient Isan communities. The study was conducted on 12 Isan palm-leaf manuscripts and the findings reveal a total of 66 types of local vegetables and 588 medicinal properties. The most frequently used vegetables consisted of ginger (59 properties, 10%), Ya Nang (Tiliacora triandra) (54 properties, 9%), and chili (43 properties, 7%). The medicinal properties were categorized by types of illness including skin diseases (20.06%), digestive/excretory issues (14.79%), and fever/cough (10.03%). This research also highlighted five key dimensions of the role of herbal medicine in ancient Isan communities: traditional medicine, economy and way of life, eco-cultural systems, beliefs and rituals, and the transmission of local wisdom. The findings helped reveal traditional knowledge and provided the guidelines for further pharmacological research and the development of community products based on local vegetables.

The Role of Community Organization Councils in Building Grassroots Economic Development Networks: A Case Study of Noen Kho Sub-District, Klaeng District, Rayong

Wisanukorn Uthaisri — 2025-12-01

This study pursues two primary objectives: (1) to examine the role of the Community Organization Council in building networks for grassroots economic development, and (2) to identify the network-building models employed in Noen Kho Subdistrict, Klaeng District, Rayong Province. This study employed a qualitative research methodology, utilizing an integrative conceptual framework derived from grassroots economy, social capital, common-pool resource management, and social network theory. Data were collected through in-depth interviews and focus group discussions with key stakeholders. Findings indicated that the Council plays a pivotal role in facilitating collaboration among internal and external stakeholders, promoting local livelihoods, optimizing local resources, and supporting community enterprises. Acting as a central coordinator of activity groups, it fosters authentic and sustainable networks. A five-chain model comprising production, processing, marketing, community-based tourism, and social communication effectively aligns community development goals. Success factors include clearly defined shared objectives, continuous knowledge exchange, and strategic linkage of benefits among members. The insights generated by this study provide practical guidance for grassroots economic development initiatives in other communities and offer implications for policy formulation in the fields of community and social development.