The “Syarikat Mati (Death Society)” Welfare Fund of Ban Lahan Community: A Southern Border Social Innovation

Abstract

The objective of this research was to study the model and management of Sarikat Mati Welfare Fund of Ban Lahan in Saiburi District, Pattani Province. The authors employed a qualitative research methodology and collected data from 13 members of the fund who played important roles in driving the welfare via group interviews and observation methods. Data were analyzed for descriptive statistics and content analysis.

The findings indicated that the Syarikat Mati (Death Society) welfare fund of the Ban Lahan community have two forms. First, the Old Form, which managed by the Fund Committee and focused on welfare payments following a death of community members. Second, the New Form, which provides not only death welfare payments but also potential development welfare, and uses participatory management of people in the community, from problem finding, activity planning, investment, operation, monitoring, and evaluation. The Sari Guatamati Welfare Fund, therefore, has been developed and widely accepted, as it responds to social problems and needs. This has resulted in societal changes that connect and integrate the people and the communities based on the Islamic culture.