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folk healers, the communities have to trans- ternal study or optional study. Moreover, to
mit knowledge of traditional and local wis- understand and simply grasp the vast changes
dom, as well as knowledge development from related to policies and technical matters of
local ideology, to the new generation. Third, AEC and globalization, it is important to learn
with regard to the impact on their behavior, about their pros and cons, as they serve as
in a consumer society communities need to essential sources of information and data.
be self-sufficient, and set up a production sys- Lastly, there should be a community opera-
tem for increasing their self-reliance through tions committee to provide information re-

the production of a variety of vegetables, rice, lated to the positive and negative impacts
fish, chicken, and herbals. Fourth, as for the on the community, so that people could know
impact on the economy, the NGO staff mem- themselves and others better without either
bers said that it is very important to be exciting or calming them excessively.
localized through cooperation with the com-
Discussion
munity common wealth fund. çDo not rely on
funding from outside but only on the ideas of The informantsû perceptions about AEC
wisdom, health, forest, culture, traditions, and and globalization were different. NGO staff
products in the community to maintain members cooperated well and provided much
uniqueness in the community,é said a dis- more useful information than did the tradi-
cussant. Strengthening a community-owned tional folk healers. However, the traditional
public market would probably foster locali- Thai masseurs showed less interest as their
zation, anti-globalization and AEC. In order thoughts and words revealed ignorance about
for details concerns AEC and globalization to this topic and some knew nothing at all about

be better known, dialogues in gathering to- the topic.
gether government staff members or officials, In this study, folk healers generally were
NGO staff, and the people of the community selected from adults as they have had expe-
would be considered most efficient. rience in their field of work. Moreover, they
Another measure to enhance the pre- have had countless conversations with pa-
paredness of NGO staff members for the im- tients, folk healers in other areas, NGO staff
pact of AEC and globalization was suggested: members, government officers, and other in-
that they should be conscious, learn about dividuals with different connections. These
globalization and AEC, develop self-know- might be the main reasons for the provision
ledge and get to know others. The simple of accurate, definite answers.

form of management is primary management. The background of the NGO staff mem-
If it is developed as an integration network bers reflects this work on both dynamic ac-
across nations, it would lead to intellectual tivities and ongoing processes. Most of them
exchanges. This would be in the form of ex- are people from within the area who are