A Development of Small Neighborhood Shops Strengthening the Grassroots Economy through the Community Participation: A Case Study of the Front of Southern Don Muang Airport of Don Muang at Don Muang District in Bangkok

Abstract

The aims of this research were 1) analyzing the occupation context of the community engaged in vending and their preparedness to evolve into the small neighborhood shops, 2) enhancing the potential of vendor occupations to establish small neighborhood shops with community involvement, and 3) monitoring and evaluating the livelihoods of vendors while establishing small neighborhood shops with community participation.This research was the Community-Based Participatory Research (CBPR).  Fourteen individuals were chosen to use as the key informants.  The data collection methods were in-depth interviews and group discussions. Data analysis was performed using content analysis. The results showed that 1) the community occupation context on selling and trading by renting space in the markets.  As a result, their monthly income inconsistently covered the cost. Besides, the result of housing development project, the small neighborhood shops were established in order to reduce cost.  2) According to the community potentiality, three areas of development were identified, these were: production; marketing with a focus on neighborhood and on-line marketing; and management.  3) In terms of monitoring and evaluation, the results revealed that the communication channel could effectively reach the customers.  Consequently, it improved the areas where members of the three-generation community could collaborate creatively.  Even though there were fewer shops, there remained plenty of goods to sell in these small neighborhood shops, increasing their revenues