Abstract
This research aims to understand and uncover experiences, thoughts and practices of the 5 groups of people in dealing with COVID-19 includes (1) executives and policy makers (2) medical and public health officers (3) disease control workers (4) poor and disadvantaged people and (5) civil people and journalists. This study used both qualitative and quantitative research methodology. Conducting in-depth interviews with 148 people and use an online questionnaire to get the data from 555 samples. Information from social media and online documents are also collected. From March to November 2021 is the period of data collecting. This study uses anthropological perspectives to suggest that the COVID-1 9 crisis is syndemics that inseparably related to unequal society, economy, politics and human life. The 5 chapters of this research are: (1) recording important events of the COVID-1 9 outbreak in Thailand, which is divided into 5 periods. (2) a study of the experiences of 5 target groups. (3) lessons in the work of various organizations in the COVID-19 crisis. (4) an analysis of social science knowledge in an pandemic situation. (5) conclusions and policy recommendations. The four key findings are: (1) the Thai state uses medical, economic and governance knowledge that leads to a centralized command system and controls people in the same inflexible regulation. The Thai state does not understand the different changing socio-cultural contexts found in local areas and communities. Government solutions do not meet the needs of the people. Social science knowledge disappears from the Thai state policy-making that reproduces and expands structural violence in which the disadvantaged people are damaged. (2) failed coordination between government agencies, civil organizations and the private sectors can be found in every local communities. Government officials do not plan for effective work and change practices over time. This problem is the source of conflicts. Another important problem is that there are a poor welfare and caring for medical and public health workers. (3) people distrust in the government because of their inefficient work and error decision making. The Thai government fail to give public enough and clear information but give privileges to some people. This problem leads to the people protests and calling for the government resign. (4) there have been several unexpected consequences in government policy. Particularly, the lockdown and the close of various businesses that affects many people who work in the informal sector. Policy recommendations are outlined in the final chapter for government agencies to take account in solving the pandemic in the future.
