Abstract:
This research examines changes in the concept and knowledge of pests in Thai society from 1892 to 1944, focusing on the transformation of such thinking and its social effects. The study finds that, before 1892, the concept and knowledge of pests in Thai society had been explained by Buddhist thoughts and traditional beliefs. Owing to the social context in that period, the problem of pests was regarded as unimportant. However, since the year 1892, the social context in terms of economy, politics, natural environment and ecological system has greatly changed. This led to the transformation in peoples point of view towards pests. The concern on pest problems then intensified, especially, among leading officers and intellectuals in the Ministry of Agriculture. This group of elites played an important role in making the problem of pests significant. They adopted, applied and propagated to the public the modern concept and knowledge of pests from the West, which was much related to scientific knowledge. This resulted in the amalgamation of modern and traditional thoughts that altered the concept and knowledge of pests in Thai society since. It eventually led to the change in management of pest problems in Thailand, including the initiation of domestic agribusiness corporations specializing on chemicals and pest control products.