The Thai-Lao Culture and The Solution of Liver Fluke and Cholangiocarcinoma: A Case Study in The Middle Songkhram River Basin

Abstract

The objectives of this study of “The Thai-Lao Culture and the Solution of Liver Fluke and Cholangiocarcinoma: A Case Study in the Middle Songkhram River Basin” were to study: 1) the history of raw (cyprinoid) fish consumption culture  in Isaan, 2) the raw (cyprinoid) fish consumption culture of communities in the study area related to problems of liver fluke and cholangiocarcinoma, and 3) Thai-Lao culture and problem solving of liver fluke and cholangiocarcinoma in Isaan.  The qualitative research was used in this study. This research’s results have shown that evidence related to raw (cyprinoid) fish consumption culture has been found in Isaan since the era with written evidence showing the abundance of cyprinoid fish, and traces of raw cyprinoid fish eating had been found in the important literature of Isaan recorded with Tai Noi and Dharma characters. There was also a community culture that has been related to eating raw or partially cooked cyprinoid fish. In addition, the pattern of conveying eating culture was found in both individual level, family level, and community or social level. It was also found that in the Tai-Lao cultural dimension, the solutions of cultural eating problems were divided into 3 levels: 1) the level of awareness and basic understanding, 2) the level of modification and value argumentation but compromise in practice, and 3) the level of building awareness for the community and creating community participation.