The use of traditional medicine by The Middle-Class Bangkokians (1993-1998)

Abstract

In recent years, there are several new important phenomena concerning the field of traditional medicine at various levels in Thai society that could have shifted the paradigm in the field of health care and treatment. This research will provide an opportunity to explore and bring to light the situation of traditional medicine and its impacts to the urban middle-class people in Bangkok and Thai society The case study of Chinese Medlcine Pharmacy in Bangkok is made for references and possible contrasts in perspectives from the key informants specializing on the traditional medicine during the pre-history towards the year 1993. There will also be situation analysis of the "Middle-class" and the WBangkokians" as well as the definitions of traditional medicine by focusing on the instance of traditional medicine use in Thai Society and the factors associated with such "use" and "non-use" of traditional medicine. Traditional medicine has indeed entered a new "era" where present-day concepts of traditional medicine come from old and traditional texts, derived and adapted for the modern day use. It is certainly a way of and a part of every day life that has possibly "re-emerged" after the rise-and-fall of traditional medicine in Thai society.