Abstract:
The thesis concerns the inheritance and preservation of identity of local food of Thai people of Khmer descent, Surin Province. The objectives are to 1) study the identity of local food consumed by a group of Thai people of Khmer descent in Surin Province. 2) preserve the traditional food identity of Thai-Khmer descendants in Surin province and 3) set up recipes of traditional local food of Thai-Khmer descendants in Surin province. The population of the study consist of 5 Thai-Khmer descendants residing at the community of Wat Sala Loi, Ban Chem Niang and at the community of Ban Prue Kian. Nok Muang subdistrict, Mueang district, Surin province along with 4 experts. Data was collected through interview, participatory observation, and sensory evaluation tests.
The study discovered 3 main aspects of the thesis as follows: Frist, the identity of the local food of Thai people of Khmer descent in Surin Province in 3 areas that deviated from the past are the identity in settling down and the type of residence, the identity in various ethnic groups that adjusted themselves to other ethnic groups including their culture and eating habits, and the identity of traditional local food and the ingredients for cooking which are near extinction. Second, the method of preservation of identity which is the way to disseminate information about local food including ways of cooking the 9 traditional local recipes of the local Thai people of Khmer descent which are: La Wae Kadum (Crab Curry), Salor Chek (banana Curry), Kaeng Hong, Miang Khanun, Baor Dong (Coconut chili Paste), Baor Charom Ma Om (Vegetable chili Paste), Baor Ang Kaeb (frog chili Paste), Baor Bai Kriem (Streamed Rice) and An Som Kabong (spotted Rice Porridge). Third, the making of traditional local recipes of the local Thai people of Khmer descents in Surin Province revealed that the analysis of the sensory evaluation test of local food of the Thai people of Khmer descents on average is at a very satisfactory level ( X = 4.77). When considering the food items from high to low it was found that the food received equal status which are Salor Chek (Banana Curry), Kaeng Hong, Baor
Dong (Coconut chili Paste), Baor Bai Kriem (Streamed Rice). They are in a very
satisfactory level ( X = 5.00). Next, in the very satisfactory level ( X = 4.75) are Baor
Charom Ma Om (Vegetable chili Paste). Then it is the La Wae kadum (Crab Curry)
which is also in a very satisfactory level ( X = 4.68), and at the least satisfactory level
are Miang Khanun, Baor Ang Kaeb (frog chili Paste) and An Som Kabong (spotted Rice
Porridge) is in a very satisfactory level ( X = 4.50) respectively.