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ABSTRACT
The study of “Foreign Culture” the changes in dynamics to the social and
cultural aspects of the communities, Koh Samui and Koh Phangan district Suratthani
province aimed to study 1) the communities context, dynamics and social and cultural
changings 2) the influence of foreign culture to the social and cultural changes and
3) the effects, obstacles and opportunities to the cultural capital change including the
way toprotect them.
For communities’ context, Koh Samui and Koh Phangan located in Aow Thai Sea.
Koh Samui had 252 square kilometers and Koh Phangan had 170 square kilometers.
The global landscapes of the islands were mountainous. The outer spaces were inlands,
plains and lowplains continuously. Therewere sand anddune scattered around the islands.
The climates were tropical storm due to the seawind. The important sources were the land,
water, the forest, wind animals, marine animals, sea and tourist places. There were
infrastructures for people there. People were mostly Buddhist, Chinese Thai, Muslim and
Foreigners. On the economywere agricultures, small industrials and tourism. Thewell-known
cultures in Koh Samui were Buffalos Fighting and Lullaby. Koh Phanganwas Chak Pha Sea
Festival. ThehistoryofKohSamui andKohPhanganhadnot clearpictureofwhen itwas took
place but in the region of KingRama V had the evidence that Koh Samui was governed by
Nakonsithammarat KingdomandPhanganwasgovernedbyChaiya. Later in2440B.E. there
was a renewal of local government Koh Samui and Koh Phangan was place together to
Koh Samui District and governed by Chaiya. After 2513 B.E. Koh Phangan was separated
from Koh Samui District to King Amhoe and became Amphoe in 2520 B.E. After the
development of thecountrywith thenational development plan from2504B.E. later onabout
five decades Koh Samui and Koh Phangan cultural contexts were effected and changed
manyways likegeography, social cultureandeconomywhichwereeffected topeoplewayof
life inwide range.
For dynamics and social and cultural changes, in the past people in Koh Samui
and Koh Phangan were helping each other’s between the both islands and people with
