A Comparison of Residents’ Attitudes toward Socio-Economic Conditions before and after Relocation and Land Allocation from the Theun–Hinboun Hydropower Project: A Case Study of Phousad Village, Khounkham District, Khammouane Province

Abstract

This study aimed (1) to investigate the socio-economic perceptions of residents of Phousad Village before and after relocation, and (2) to compare their socio-economic perceptions before and after relocation. Data were collected using a five-point Likert scale questionnaire from a sample of 206 respondents. Descriptive statistics, including frequency, percentage, mean, standard deviation, minimum, and maximum values, were used for data analysis. Inferential statistics were conducted using a paired-samples t-test at the 0.05 level of significance. The results revealed that the mean score of socio-economic perceptions before relocation was 3.05 (SD = 0.531), which was considered moderate, while the mean score after relocation was 3.98 (SD = 0.744), which was considered high. The comparative analysis showed that socio-economic perceptions before and after relocation differed significantly at the 0.05 level, with a p-value of 0.000. The findings showed that the post-relocation mean score was significantly higher than the pre-relocation score, reflecting improved socio-economic conditions following relocation. The results provide empirical evidence of the socio-economic changes experienced by the affected population before and after relocation. These findings are beneficial for agencies involved in planning and improving relocation management and land allocation processes. Furthermore, they may serve as guidelines for policy development and the implementation of development projects that align with the population’s needs and promote sustainable improvements in quality of life.