COEXISTENCE IN NEW NORMAL SOCIETY OF MULTICULTURAL COMMUNITY ALONG CHATHABOON RIVERBANK, MUANG DISTRICT, CHANTHABURI PROVINCE

Abstract

The purposes of this research included: (1) to study ways of life and identity of multicultural community along Chanthaboon Riverbank; (2) to study the coexistence in new normal society of multicultural community along Chanthaboon Riverbank; and (3) to analyze ways of coexistence in new normal society of multicultural community along Chanthaboon Riverbank, Muang District, Chanthaburi Province. Qualitative research method was used. The 13 key informants were gained through purposive sampling.  The instruments used for data collection included: structured in-depth interview format and focus group discussion with 11 participants gained from purposive sampling.  The data were analyzed using descriptive interpretation. The results of this research were as follows. Regarding the ways of life and identity of multicultural community along Chanthaboon Riverbank, Muang District, Chanthaburi Province, it was found that the community along the riverbank consisted of Christians and Buddhists. It was a traditional community of multi-nationality such as Thai-Yuan (Thai-Vietnamese) and Buddhist Thais.  It was also an old community and it used to be a riverside pier of an important trade route.  There have been two religions and three cultures including Thai culture, Chinese culture and Vietnamese culture.  The main occupation was “trading”.  The traditional way of life in the past was “mat weaving” where it was originated.  It was an old community along Chanthaboon Riverbank. It was a community where Chinese, Vietnamese and Thai lived together, traded in the community and exchanged commodities.  It was also “the first route”, which was the most prosperous route.  Its identity was “Perforated Design of House” that has been remaining up to present.