The addiction of kratom plants among rubber plantation's farmers in Southern provinces of Thailand

Abstract

The objective of this qualitative research is to study the daily behaviors including problems, obstacles, and need of Kratom plant addiction among rubber plantation's farmers in southern provinces of Thailand. The population of this research were rubber plantation's farmers in fourteen provinces in southern Thailand. The twelve farmers were separated into upper part and lower part using structured interview questions. The results of this research were concluded as follows: 1) Personal data they were eleven males and one female from 25 to 60 years old. The average age was 44 years old. Most of them were Buddhists and Islamists with primary education background and they mostly got married. Their monthly incomes were approximately 15, 000 - 30,000 baht. 2.) Daily addictive behavior the users confront using of the plants among members in their families. Those family members introduced the plants to promote the effectiveness of work. Also, the plants were used as herbal medicine and tonic. The participants were dependent in both physically and mentally. The usage of the plants are also in local cultural purpose e.g. ancestors' spirits offerings, welcoming treats for visitors, etc. 3.) Addictive behavior Kratom plants were available from their neighborhood (e.g. the plants were grown in the area around their shelters, buying-selling among community members). The formats of use were varied depending on how much work they had. Most farmers start eating Kratom plant leaves amount of work as soon as they wake at night before leaving for work, during work and after work respectively. The popular eating format is chewing fresh leaves together with other energy drinks, brewing as tea. The frequency of use was not significantly different depending on how much work they had. 4.) Problems, obstacles and need for Kratom plant There was difficulty in using the plants due to legal enforcement by police officers. Demand of the leaves was main reason to not want to leave their areas because they continually consume for work. Som;