The Integration of Local Knowledge and Wisdom of Ratchathani Asok Community, Ubon Ratchathani: A Proposal of a New Model for a Community of Learning

Abstract

During the past several decades, Thailand has emphasized economic growth and ignored the
importance of indigenous knowledge and local wisdom. As a result, communities in general are facing
moral and ethical problems, health problems, environmental problems, and problems in their way of life
and self-reliance. With this concern, this research aims to study the local knowledge and wisdom of
the Ratchathani Asoke Community, and to propose a new model for learning in the community. This
research uses the qualitative research method. The data was collected by questionnaires, in-depth
interviews, and observations. The informants were the community leader, learning exchange facilitators,
supporters for learning in general, community members, and visitors. This research was conducted
from 2010 to 2012 . As a result of this research, this new model for learning called for harmonious
cooperation between community, temple and schools. Such cooperation relied on two input factors,
namely (1) sources of knowledge such as community organizations and media, and (2) sources of local
wisdom, found in specific people and various activities. This new model had many learning processes
through real experience. Through these learning processes, people accumulated knowledge,
and transformed it into intellectual power which helped them when encountering problems which occurred
in life. Community development consists of group activities, personal development, screening
of knowledge from outside the community, cooperation in taking care of children, elderly, and people
in ill health, adaptation of locally suitable concepts with appropriate development of the community.