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โครงการหนังสืออิเล็กทรอนิกส์ด้านการเกษตร เฉลิมพระเกียรติพระบาทสมเด็จพระเจ้าอยู่หัว

Methods
(a) Conceptual framework

The Thai government has implemented highland management policies for more than six
decades, while government agencies, foundations, and companies have continuously
initiated various development projects for the highlands. Meanwhile, scholars and institutions
have conducted studies and proposed recommendations for managing the highlands,

examining their physical, economic and social issues. Many of the studies focus on hill tribe
populations in the North. Highland problems now occur throughout the country, including
deforestation and destruction of upstream water sources, causing soil erosion and other
disasters, such as landslides and consequently property damages and casualties. In addition,

due to climate change at the global level, even more severe natural disasters are expected
in the future. Therefore, existing policies should be reviewed and reformulated to prepare for
such situations. It is first necessary to review government policies in the past and research
results and recommendations proposed by scholars and institutions, as well as problems

and obstacles in implementing highland development projects. The review results could be
used in future efforts to reformulate relevant policies.

(b) Study methods
1. Review government policies in 13 time periods as indicated earlier in the study scope;
2. Review research results, concepts, and recommendations on highland management
previously proposed by scholars and various institutions;
3. Review highland development projects implemented by government agencies,

foundations, and companies, development projects and their problems and
obstacles;
4. Review international experience in highland management, including agreements in

international conventions and declarations regarding highland peoples;
5. Conduct field surveys to collect primary data on highland situations, including
physical, economic, and social issues, in study areas in 12 provinces, namely Chiang
Mai, Nan, Chiang Rai, Chaiyaphum, Khon Kaen, Uthai Thani, Kanchanaburi,

Phetchaburi, Nakhon Si Thammarat, Trang, and Krabi;
6. Analyze successful outcomes, problems, obstacles of policy implementation in
highland areas from the past until the present, taking into account international
experiences; and

7. Draw lessons on highland management from both successful and unsuccessful cases
according to the initial goals, so as to propose policy guidelines in the future.

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