The Economic Role of the Ethnic Chinese in the Urban Area of Roi Et, 1930s-1990s

Abstract

This article examines the economic role of the ethnic Chinese in the urban area of Roi Et between the 1930s and the 1990s. With the aim to point out the economic relationship between the ethnic Chinese and local people, the importance of the ethnic Chinese as as merchants or businessmen and changes in the urban area due to the ethnic Chinese, such as economic factors that make Roi Et as one of the destinations for Chinese immigrants, the transition from subsistence economy system to capitalism, the movement of the commercial district, Initiating a modern career in Roi Et, factors for business success of the ethnic Chinese, etc. This article found that Roi Et is suitable for many Chinese immigrants settlements after the construction of the railway to the northeastern (Isan) region. The ethnic Chinese became an important variable that changed the economic system of Roi Et to capitalism by taking on the role of a middleman who connected the economy between the city and the countryside. They were also the initiators of many modern careers. The Chinese community has always been the economic center of the city. The ethnic Chinese are one of the important economic components of Roi Et. There are several factors that make them to business success. For instance, trading strategies, the good relationship between the ethnic Chinese and local people, the effect of some government policies, and the strong ties among the ethnic Chinese help to support each other's trade.