“Kut” as an Infrastructure in Relation to Other Entities in The Wetland area of Sisaket Province
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Abstract
This article examines “Kut Phromkhat” as a form of infrastructure that plays a crucial role in both the ecosystem and the social structure of communities in the wetland areas of the Mun River Basin, specifically in Bua Noi Subdistrict, Kanthararom District, Sisaket Province. The study employs the concepts of infrastructure and human ecology as analytical frameworks. The findings reveal that “Kut Phromkhat” is not merely a natural water source but also an infrastructural nexus that interconnects the environment, technology, and human society across economic, cultural, and political dimensions. In particular, large-scale infrastructure projects such as weirs and the Hua Na Dam have significantly impacted the wetland’s ecosystem and compelled communities to adapt their resource utilization for survival. This study adopts qualitative research methods, including in-depth interviews, participant observation, and document review. The findings highlight that infrastructure is not merely a physical construct but also a state instrument for resource management. Moreover, as an infrastructure, the “Kut” is not simply a natural entity or ecological system but a space that reflects the interplay between material objects and human interactions, encompassing economic
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