Strategies for Adapting to the Increased Labor and Fuel Costs for Commercial Fishing Boat Operators: Case Study in Tha Sala District, Nakhon Si Thammarat Province, Thailand

The objective of this study is twofold: 1) to examine the cost and return structure of commercial fishing boat operators in Tha Sala district, Nakhon Si Thammarat province, and 2) to study the adjustment strategies and assistance measures for the group of commercial fishing boat operators in Tha Sala district, Nakhon Si Thammarat province. The sources of data used in this research are 1) commercial fishing boat operators in Tha Sala district, Nakhon Si Thammarat province, and 2) government agencies related to commercial fishing boats. The study will use a snowball sampling technique, focus group discussions, and in-depth interviews with a set of predetermined questions. The results of the study show that the cost and return structure comprises five constant costs: labor costs, foreign document costs, boat registration costs, boat permit costs, and straight-line depreciation costs. Since 2020, the average cost per year has been 442,425 baht. In 2021, the average cost is still 442,425 baht, while in 2022, it increases to 445,425 baht due to fluctuations in cost factors, which include fuel prices, rice prices for fishermen, ice costs, and maintenance expenses. The return on investment for the past three years has been continuously decreasing, with an average of 7,200,000 baht in 2020, 6,200,000 baht in 2021, and 2,700,000 baht in 2022. The fishing boat operators have made adjustments in three areas to combat rising fuel costs: reducing work days, adjusting product processing, and relying on technology and innovation. However, the government and other public entities have no direct role in assisting commercial fishing boat operators dealing with rising labor costs and fuel prices. The only indirect assistance comes through a loan project that uses the fishing boats as collateral, and this has been available only once during the three-year period from 2020 to 2022 when labor and fuel costs were at their highest.