Role of the Suratthani Market Society and the Socialization of Tai Song Dam Ethnic into the Homo Economicus

摘要

A research paper investigates roles of Suratthani market society toward the socialization of Tai Song Dam ethnic group in Suratthani province. Qualitative methodological approach is applied in the study and together with observation, life-history approach, in-depth interview, and groupinterview, which are implemented as research tool to collect field data. The paper conducts based on theoretical argument that focuses on dynamics of market society that play a vital role to socialize individuals into ones who serve the market society itself. Research results found that themarket society in Suratthani linked and preached people together through dynamical events of community establishment. Tai Song Dam ethnic group in Don Mali community had been socialized through conditions included (1) individualism that was presented in order to claim their own lands, (2)calculation skill which was used to estimate the probability of market demand on agricultural products, and (3) causality of community where located in the resourceful riverbank and suitable for agro-activity. These conditions socialized Tai Song Dam ethnic group until they became the HomoEconomicus that relied on market products and services from the outside community.