Social Change and the Effects of the International Cooperation for Development: A Case Study of Chiang Khong District, Chiang Rai Province

Abstract

This research aims to investigate the social changes resulted from the international cooperation for development in Chiang Khong, Chiang Rai province. The sample were recruited by quota sampling and snowball sampling techniques that accounted for 121 participants from Chiang Khong, Chiang Rai province. Research Instruments were interview, questionnaire, and non-participatory observation, and documentary analysis. Also the data was analyzed using descriptive analysis. The findings reveal that the social changes resulted from the international cooperation affecting Chiang Khong were: 1) Changes in household and community regarding to career performance, 2) Changes in economic system and career performance in the community, 3) Changes after implementing International cooperation projects, and 4) The effects after the changes resulted from the designated area for International development spot. There were some social changes such as increasing living expenditure, groceries and retailers in the community that showed the tendency to dissolve or reduce in number, the level of unsafe the road use, and the positive changes only in economic aspect but negative in terms of social.  Moreover, the potentiality of Chiang Khong in entering AEC, it was found that the city held the highest level in the readiness regarding to transportation, roads, public transportation system, communication, and basic facilities.