The investigation focused on a Hmong N’jua community in the northern region of Thailand. The images of Hmong as opium growers and slash-and-burn farming practitioners are still questionable. Current changes, consisting of population growth, problems of land resources and traditional farming systems which have contributed to the development, have significantly affected the way of life of the ethnic group.
The reason for selecting Pattana Village as the study area was due to its location on a lower hill close to the city center. The village was integrated into the lowland administrative structure and was redefined by the state as a way of eliminating opium. The village might provide a future picture of highlanders in Thailand. The findings of this study reveal that the Hmong do not use force in their struggle and they avoid complications. The concept of the Messiah is not part of their ethnic culture, but occurred after having contact with the outside world. A violent encounter is an exception rather than the norm. Faced with challenges, the ethnic group opts for close and sustainable contact with Thai society. The villagers do not feel that they have to sacrifice their ethnic identity, but carefully attempt to adapt to the expectations of Thai people. They regard themselves as both Hmong and as Thai citizens.
Involvement in development activities has created ethnic differences. The ethno-linguistic difference of the highlanders has often been cited by lowlanders as the cause of development failure. Upon close inspection of the claim, it is found to be an attitude that has no cultural understanding and is due to a weak administrative order. State work in response to the needs of foreign countries (the elimination of opium) has not taken ethnic and regional differences into consideration, leading to frequent misunderstanding and inflexible operating systems.
State-sponsored projects on the highlands based on the problems of poppy cultivation, slash-and-burn cultivation and fears of national security based on minority ethnic groups have been in the wrong direction. The use of state power and political structure should be strategically revised. Rural development should not be specified in a vacuum or separately. A holistic national development approach must be redefined with serious scrutiny.