Coastal Fishing Communites of Southeast Thailand

By: Samuel James Pierce

Abstract

Globalization is an important part of a society. We all know that. It can bring the best out of many cultures and have them interact with each other in amazing ways. It can let others see parts of the world and experience different traditions that, before, they would never have been able to see. However, this can have some adverse effects as well. With globalization, old traditions can get snuffed out by faster, more efficient ways of business. People’s ways of life can change and if they do not protect these traditions, they can even get taken from them. It is the job of the communities to see the importance of their long-established ways and fight to protect them. And when big corpora- tions enter older established communities, it’s their job to listen to people’s needs and respect different cultures in those areas. This idea has been dubbed “Ecological Justice”. It’s the concept that we aren’t alone in our endeavors. When someone makes waves in territories they haven’t experienced yet, those waves can have consequences. Whether you are a company, a religion, an army, or just a single person, there are areas of the environment that need to be pro- tected to sustain the economy of that community. Ecological justice is “the fair practice and meaningful involvement of all people regardless of race, color, sex, national origin, or income with respect to national policies, development, implementation, and environmental laws enforcement” (Ecological Justice 2013). With that being said, ecological justice can only work if all parties involved participate. It is up to the big companies but, just as importantly, it is up to the single person too. Especially the ones that are from the very com- munities it affects. This study focuses on the small scale artisanal work of coastal fishing communities in southeast Thailand. It is concentrated not just on how these fishermen perform and preserve the traditions of their cultural fishing techniques that have been passed down from generation to generation. But it is also about how these people adjust, reorganize, and empower themselves in a globalized world.

Coastal Fishing Communites of Southeast Thailand

 

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Author Bio

Inspired by curiosity and exploring the uncharted, Samuel Pierce finds the unfamiliar in remote areas of the world, and in his own city. His need to find real relationships and express them through his work is what drives him. Samuel believes the weight of the world is measured in stories; personal histories that are waiting to be unearthed and immortalized. These stories and intimate relationships are celebrated through his photography and establish a connection with the subject that transcends place and time.  Samuel is attending St. Edward’s University obtaining his BA in Photocommunications.