This thesis examined the living conditions of the Sea Gypsies regarding economy, society, politics, public health, education, administration, religion, belief, custom, tradition, basic necessities, quality of life, and their needs concerning educational management to improve their life quality. The data were collected from 84 households at Hat Rawai Village, Muang District, Phuket Province. It was found that there were 439 residents in the village. The Sea Gypsies only have spoken language and build simple shelters on a private property. Most of them were involved in fishing, but their expenditure usually outweighed their income, resulting in their being heavily in debt. The majority got married at a very young age, around 14 to 16 years. Their society is of a matriarchal type and they are mostly animists and strictly worship their ancestors’ teaching. However, some have become nominal Buddhists, Christians, or Muslims. In terms of healthcare, it was found that most were strong because there was an abundance of seafood. Nevertheless, the community did not have any toilet. They were suffering from skin disease (ringworm) and bought over-the-counter medication for its treatment. Most of them were not educated formally owing to poverty. Parents did not want their children to attend formal school with local people, because they did not want their children to be looked down upon. Most did not participate in state activities like election or military conscription, and paid little interest to politics or their administration. Their quality of life was below the 1986 Basic Necessities Criteria. However, they wanted to be literate by attending non-formal school with the help of teachers. In addition, they wanted to have knowledge on career improvement, nursing and basic healthcare, and life skills for co-existing with other communities. The obstacles to life quality improvement included poverty, illiteracy, lack of land ownership, and lack of sanitation.
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