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Abstract

A study on Socio-Economic Impact Assessment and Adaptation of

Rural Communities Against the COVID 19 epidemic

When the Coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic occurred (according to the announcement
of the World Health Organization, 1 1 March 2 0 2 0 ) , the Thai government announced the

Emergency Decree on Public Administration in Emergency Situations, B.E. 2 5 4 8 (No. 1 ) ,
applicable throughout the Kingdom. On March 24, 2019, the Cabinet passed a resolution to
approve and mitigate the effects of the coronavirus (COVID-19) on the Thai economy, both
directly and indirectly, Phase 2. The Decree prohibited people from entering areas at risk of

contracting COVID-19. It came into effect on March 2 6 , 2 0 2 0 and affected areas were
temporarily closed. This affected both social and economic dimensions people’s lives.
Government aid and remedial measures to support the affected people originally supported
3 million workers.

Some workers who were affected by the 22-day closure from 22nd March to 12th April, 2020,

returned to their rural homes. The impacts of the COVID-19 outbreak were not be limited to
urban areas, but also to rural communities that are home to urban workers. Therefore, local
community impact assessments and adaptative measures to address Coronavirus 2019 (COVID-
19) cannot be limited to urban areas only. Accordingly, the Local Development

Institute/Foundation has worked with BIOTHAI Foundation, Sustainable Agriculture Foundation
(Thailand), Chulalongkorn University Social Research Institute and Associate Prof. Dr. Prapart
Pintotang, Faculty of Political Science, Chulalongkorn University in conducting this Study on,
Socio-Economic Impact and Adaptation of Rural Communities Facing the COVID 19 Epidemic.

The objectives of the Study include: (i) Understanding the impact and adaptation modes of
rural communities, (ii) Learning about the effectiveness of a variety of current government
measures, and (iii) Outlining a sustainable local community adaptation approach that

addresses the fundamental problems of the local communities facing COVID 19.
The Study researchers conducted a quantitative survey numbering 1,002 from 17-26 May 2020,
during which period the Government mandated the lock down measure covering agricultural
communities in 15 provinces and 5 regions. Based on the survey, smallholder households are
highly resilient, because of the diversity of household economies which are characterized by

a wide variety of production and income sources to sustain economic life in times of crisis.
Production of primary, commercial crops, and fruit trees has been affected but its impact is
varied by crop type. A small number of non-farm workers returned home (4.1 percent of

interviewees); but most stayed in the urban areas reflecting the fact that economic

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