Dynamic Livelihood Strategies of Fishery Communities In Ban Don Bay, Suratthani, Thailand

The purpose of this research study is to study the livelihoods of traditional fishery around Ban Don Bay in Suratthani , Thailand. This study applied the qualitative approach to collect data by interviewing key informants in the study area. The participants of the study were traditional fishermen and their household. It aims to use the sustainable livelihoods framework in data analysis. It is found that traditional fishery tends to be a vulnerable group due to rapid changes in the environmental degradation affected by governmental policies, capitalization and natural disaster. However, they are able to cope with such severe situations by utilizing their various livelihood strategies: human capital, natural capital and social capital. They could particularly apply their social capital with their local wisdom and knowledge gained from conducting their local research to deal with various problems. For example, local fisheries could find their own ways to adapt their traditional strategies in running their daily life to accommodate such changes. Future fishery communities need to develop suitable strategies in order to deal with more complicated situations. In addition, they will also need to share with neighboring communities the new solution they have gradually gained.