Farmer's Way of Life in Thailand 4.0 Era of the Farmer in Talung Lek Subdistrict, Khok Samrong District, Lopburi

Abstract

The Article purposes were to investigate 1) the situation of farmers, and 2) the rice policy from the government of Pol. Lt. Col. Dr. Thaksin Shinawatra to the government of General Prayut Chan-ocha that affects the farmers’ way in Talung Lek subdistrict, Khok Samrong district, Lopburi. The sample consisted of 16 farmer representatives and  2 representatives from government organizations. The methods of conducting research consisted of documentary analysis and in-depth interview. The findings showed that 1. according to the situation of farmers, changes in the farmer's way of life included the factors of rice price problems that affects the farmer's occupation, factors of manufacturing cost, factors of moving to work in an industrial factory, and factors of debt problems of farmers. 2. According to the rice policy from the government of Pol. Lt. Col. Dr. Thaksin Shinawatra to the government of General Prayut Chan-ocha, the rice policy of each government affects the farmers’ way of life because if each government pays attention to farmers, it will affect the government's vote for example, the in-season rice pledging policy, debt relief policy for small and poor farmers, and rice pledging policy etc. In addition, the rice price policy of each government affects the farmers’ way of life because if any government pays attention to the high price of rice, farmers will have a better income and lifestyle. But if any government does not focus on rice prices, farmers have a quite difficult way of life. Because this area grows rice once a year, they can't do secondary farming. There is also a high cost of rice manufacturing.