Abstract
A cross-sectional study aimed to assess the impacts from the COVID-19 pandemic and adaptability to prevent and control the disease among the three groups (students, general population, and the elderly) of the hill tribe people lived in border areas in Chiang Rai province, Thailand. Validated questionnaires were used to gather information from participants. Data were collected between April 2021 and December 2021. A total of 2,208 participants were recruited into the study. Among students, their had got moderate level of the impact. Several barriers access education during the pandemic were detected such as inaccessible to internet and no educational technologies and materials available. The ability of their adaptations to follow COVID-19 prevention and control measures was found in moderate level. In general population, majority were impacted in moderate level. Several impacts were detected such as leaving job without compensation, salary reducing, not met the qualification from the national policy of compensation from the COVID-19 pandemic due to no Thai identification. Moreover, a large proportion had increased their family debt during the pandemic. The ability of their adaptations to follow COVID-19 prevention and control measures was found in moderate level. The elderly, a large proportion were working in agricultural section, and had got the impact in moderate level in particular their job and income. The main problem was unable to sell their agricultural products. The ability of their adaptations to follow COVID-19 prevention and control measures was found in good level. National educational policy should be focused on educational materials and technologies supported to children and schools. Creating and seeking markets and supply chains for general population and the elderly should be urgently executing. Moreover, the policy related to support prolong living environmental under the COVID-19 pandemic is crucial particularly those who are living in poor education and economic status.
