ความขัดแย้งของกลุ่มชาติพันธุ์ในการเลือกผู้ใหญ่บ้าน ตำบลปางมะผ้า อำเภอปางมะผ้า จังหวัดแม่ฮ่องสอน

Abstract

The study “Conflict Among Ethnic Groups in the Election Village Headmen, Tumbon Pang-Ma-Pha, Ampher Pang Ma Pha, Mae Hong Son Province” aimed to 1) investigate origins and characteristics of conflicts of ethnic groups in electing village headmen, 2) study causes of the conflicts, and 3) suggest possible solutions to the conflicts. This study was based on ethnic and ethnic identity theories, conflict theories, interest group theories, and local administrative theories. In addition, in this qualitative study, participants from 34 selected groups were interviewed which included Chief Executive of Pang-Ma-Pha Subdistrict Administrative Organization, Pang-Ma-Pha village chiefs, Pang-Ma-Pha village headmen, and representatives of informal group leaders in the area. Moreover, a non-participant observation was employed to collect demographic data. A participant observation was also used in the meetings, activities, and ceremonies in Tumbon Pang-Ma-Pha, Ampher Pang Ma Pha, Mae Hong Son Province. Below are the findings from the study. The main conflicts were: 1.1 The conflicts were caused by the traditional leaders or informal leaders in the community tried to win the authority in the community. Thus, they sent their members to run for the village headman election. 1.2 The conflicts were caused by the competition within families which had strong ethnic ties which was one of the causes of the conflicts in choosing the side of the headman candidates. This contributed to the intense conflicts in electing village headmen. 1.3 The lack of education among the villagers allowed the interest groups to become influential in the election. The conflicts also caused by the intervention of the local and national politics. The long term of office and the increasing emolument made the election very competitive leading to the conflicts. The increasing number of local elections caused the division of the political interest groups which caused the conflicts to become more complicated. The suggestions and applications included: 2.1 The organizations related to ethnics should educate the local to have a better understanding about traditions and ethnical believes which have been affected by the conflicts. In addition, the government organizations should educate and instill the local about democracy. Lifestyle, traditions, and customs should be used in solving the conflicts among the ethnic villages since the lifestyle of each ethnic relies on their own traditions and customs. The Act on Regional Administration 2457 (Issue 11) 2551 BE has stated the criteria and procedures in electing the village chiefs and headmen as well as the term of office (retirement age at 60). However, the regulations for evaluation have not been issued though there must be an evaluation every five years. Thus, the local should be able to participate in setting up the regulations to evaluate the village chiefs and headmen. This might be able to decrease the conflicts of ethnic groups in electing the village headmen.