Communal management on land of the Thai in Chieng La commune, Thuan Chau district, Son La province

Abstract

Public land regulation is the basic form of land management in the traditional society of the Thai people (before 1960). Public land regulation is identified by the principle that farmers can possess and use public land, but they can not own it. By a study conducted in Chieng La commune, the author reaffirms the role of communal management of land in the traditional society of the Thai people. The author indicates that from 1960 to 1984, communal management of forest and water resources was maintained. Communal management is the basic way to enhance the role of the commune in managing and using the land in the Thai’s area, and can also be effective for other ethnic groups in Vietnam nowadays.