The thesis investigates the livelihood of the Urak Lavoi Sea Gypsies at Saka U Village under the contexts of socio-economic and cultural changes due to state development and a new economic system. It is found that the expansion of the commercial economy, state power, and tourism is the main cause of socio-economic and cultural changes of the community. Money has played a more important role in their lives. There is more cultural interaction with outsiders and the villagers are more materialistic. However, their common consciousness with their ancestors and a strong kinship relation has slowed their ethnic identity change.