Management of Agricultural and Socio-economic Features in the Border Regions of Southern Thailand

Phongthunyawiriya, Kanokrat; Yossuck, Pradtana; Ek-iem, Bongkochmas; Panyadee, Chalermchai; Koment, Jariya

:: International Transaction Journal of Engineering, Management, & Applied Sciences & Technologies

http://TuEngr.com

ISSN 2228-9860
eISSN 1906-9642
CODEN: ITJEA8

FEATURE PEER-REVIEWED ARTICLE

Vol.16(3) (2025)

Management of Agricultural and Socio-economic Features in the Border Regions of Southern Thailand

Kanokrat Phongthunyawiriya, Pradtana Yossuck, Bongkochmas Ek-iem, Chalermchai Panyadee, and Jariya Koment (School of Administrative Studies, Maejo University, Chiang Mai, THAILAND).

Discipline: Agricultural & Sustainable Management.
➤ FullText

doi: 10.14456/ITJEMAST.2025.20

Keywords: Sustainable management; Social inequality; Poverty; Unrest region; Farming land use; Farming shortage of labor; Diversifying agriculture; Limited access to education; Muslim region; Smallholding; Social insecurity; Muslim majority; Cross-border economic cooperation; Governance and policy integration.

Abstract
Thailand's Deep South provinces include Pattani, Yala, and Narathiwat. Being important, these areas provide challenges and opportunities. This paper discusses how to manage its unique characteristics related to agricultural and socio-economic. These are associated with a long-standing ethno-political conflict. This region economy is based on agriculture. Having a contrast between large agro-industrial plantations and smallholder subsistence farms, this produces serious socio-economic issues. These include poverty, inequality, limited access to education and land, and the economic marginalization of the Malay-Muslim majority. The ongoing riots worsen these issues. These create a cycle that economic despair leads to unrest, and instability hinders development. Thus, simple management cannot follow a standard development plan. It needs a conflict-sensitive, culturally aware, and integrated approach that goes beyond mere economic measures. Success depends on government infrastructure projects that balance with community involvements. Key strategies include diversifying agriculture, enhancing processing value, reforming land tenure, investing in human capital, and fostering cross-border economic cooperation. Ultimately, sustainable management must address grievances to the root causes. This is by incorporating economic justice into a broader framework of social justice, cultural recognition, and political inclusion.
Paper ID: 16A3F

Cite this article:

Phongthunyawiriya, K., Yossuck, P., Ek-iem, B., Panyadee, C., and Koment, J. (2025). Management of Agricultural and Socio-economic Features in the Border Regions of Southern Thailand. International Transaction Journal of Engineering, Management, & Applied Sciences & Technologies, 16(3), 16A3F, 1-11. http://doi.org/10.14456/ITJEMAST.2025.20

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