The Dynamic of Keng Tung Market in the Context of Trade and Ethnicity

Abstract

   Based on documentary and field research, this study attempted to understand the relationship between the economic life and ethnic plurality of Keng Tung. These would ultimately lead to the dynamics of the transport hub and the junction city of trade with ethnic diversity such as Khuen, Tai, Lue, Loi, Chinese, Haw, Burmese and Indian, whose composed as a network of specialists in the production process, sourcing, shipping form. At first period, which in turn associated with their wealth, these ethnic peoples were socially stratified under the administration of the Keng Tung’s chieftains, known as “Chao-fa” (เจ้าฟ้า) and the main ethnic groups were Khuen, during which Upper Burma was annexed to be a part of the British Empire administered under the British Government of India. Brought about under the British colonialism and significantly affecting the Keng Tung economy was launching of the forest and mineral industries in the area; this had paved the way to increasing wealth and prosperity of the Khuen elites, particularly those involving in the state administration and the Chao-fa’s circle. Another consequence of the phenomenon was a major influx of newcomers from India and other parts of Burma to work for the industries. Becoming permanent settlers of Keng Tung, these peoples, particularly the Indians famed for their business mind and capability, gradually has had their roles increasing in the economy of the area.
   The second transitional phase of the Keng Tung Market’s economy came with the “Burmese Road to Socialism”, initiated and actively operated under the military governmental regime, led by General Ne Win, from the early 1960s to the late 1980s. It emphasized the economic development of the country under reducing foreign influence and increasing military role. Consequentially, Burma had become more and more isolated from its regional neighbors and as well the rest of the world. Increasing in turn, given the country’s inefficiency of producing enough necessary goods to sustain its people, were the black markets and “underground” trafficking of such goods into the country along its borders with Thailand and China. Located near the Burma’s frontier to Thailand, the town of Keng Tung became the distribution centre for trafficked goods, particularly those from Thailand. Since the abandonment of the ruling system of Chao-fa in 1962, the ethnic hierarchy of Keng Tung has been challenged, resulting in the diminished role and status of the Khuen people. Rising opportunistically were the roles of some minorities involving in the trans-border trafficking of goods and of the Burmese promoted under the nationalistic governmental regime.
   Following the downfall of the Ne Win’s regime in 1988, the governments of Burma, although still be much under the military’s shadow, have increasingly opened the country towards more international relations and trading. Significant to the economy of Keng Tung under such was opening of the border points with Thailand (Tha Che Lek - Mae Sai) in 1992 and with China, Northern Corridor - R3B rout (Keng Tung – Chiang Rung) in 2003. This has diminished trafficking of goods along the borders and promoted Keng Tung as one of the major tourist attractions of Burma.
   Adapting well to the tourism industry have been various ethnic peoples of Keng Tung, formerly marginalized under the Chaofa’s and military governmental regimes. They could now enjoy more liberation and employ a variety of strategies to build up their wealth and social status based on the commercialization of their cultural resources.