Authors : Panachad Sintusaard, Songkoon Chantachon and Marisa Koseyayotin
Abstract: Thailand, firstly, could produce salt form sea water since the beginning of Ayutthaya Era in the region of Laem Phak Bea, Ban Laem District, Petchburi Province according to the legend of Nakhon Si Thammarat. The production then has been handed down form generation to generation. Major characteristics of Solar Salt Culture illustrated via tools and equipments and spiritual culture, which is shown via ceremony and belief. Two major rituals relating to solar salt culture are Pitee Rak Na (Commissioning Ceremony) and Pitee Tam Khwan Na (Guardian Ceremony) Presently, there are several difficulties of solar salt production in Samut Prakarn, especially crisis of salt price, structural change of the landscape where, Sukhumvit Road was built and changed Samut Prakarn into an industrial zone, which affect to the survival of solar salt culture. In order to conserve, revitalize and develop solar salt culture in Samut Prakarm, Dan, as well as setting up a local training program. The most important method in conservation, revitalization and development of solar salt culture is to construct collective awareness about these issues of people thus, government participation is necessary.
Panachad Sintusaard, Songkoon Chantachon and Marisa Koseyayotin, 2009. Solar Salt Culture: Production Pattern, Conservation, Revitalization and Salt Making Occupational Development in the Saline Basin of Samut Prakarn. Pakistan Journal of Social Sciences, 6: 239-241.