Journal of Social Development and Management Strategy

Institutional and Cultural Conflict and the Governance Dilemma in the Southern Frontier: An Inquiry into the Structural Causes of Poverty in Rural

2025-10-14T11:25:19+07:00

Although Thailand officially reported the eradication of extreme income poverty, multidimensional poverty index (MPI) evidence indicated that roughly 80 percent of the poor remained concentrated in rural areas, revealing pronounced spatial and structural patterns. This study investigated the underlying drivers of rural poverty in Thailand, with particular attention to borderland dynamics in the southern frontier. Methodologically, it synthesized existing scholarship and official data, employed structural-functional and political economy perspectives, and situated findings within a longitudinal and spatial-comparative framework to elucidate interlocking causal mechanisms.

The analysis showed that rural poverty was rooted in the interaction of institutional weaknesses, cultural path dependence, and religious/ethnic cleavages. This structural predicament crystallized along four interconnected dimensions: (1) a land-tenure paradox of "privatization–centralization–fragmentation" that undermined secure and equitable access; (2) urban-biased resource allocation reinforced by clientelism and patronage, which produced chronic rural deprivation; (3) governance discontinuities and frictions between traditional authority and modern bureaucratic modalities that eroded policy coherence and implementation; and (4) unintended consequences of nation-building and "unification" policies in border regions that exacerbated ethno-religious tensions and limited inclusive development. Together, these mechanisms entrenched a durable web of rural disadvantage.

The study therefore drew on structural-functional and political economy perspectives to explore how institutional and governance arrangements perpetuated rural poverty. It advanced an integrated framework for analyzing structural poverty in Thailand and comparable Southeast Asian contexts, and it informed the design of targeted, context-sensitive, and sustainable poverty reduction strategies. This study contributed to both theoretical and practical discourses on poverty by integrating institutional, cultural, and conflict dimensions into a cohesive analytical framework. Its findings offer actionable insights for policymakers and development practitioners seeking to design context-sensitive and sustainable poverty alleviation strategies in Thailand and similar Southeast Asian contexts.

Predicting Reuse Behavior among Undergraduate Students Based on Three PsychosocialPredicting Reuse Behavior among Undergraduate Students Based on Three Psychosocial Theories

2025-08-07T15:49:28+07:00

This comparative study employed three important psychosocial theories (the psychological sufficiency based on philosophy of sufficiency economy, Psycho-moral strength, and the theory of planned behavior) to examine the predictive power of each theory on reuse behavior. The sample consisted of 573 undergraduate students. The results of the hierarchical multiple regression analysis, in predicting reuse behavior showed that: 1) The first-step predictors from the philosophy of sufficiency economy, consisting of 3 variables, explained 6.90% of the variance. The important predictors were scientific reasoning, psychological immunity, and gratefulness. 2) The second-step predictors from psycho-moral strength, consisting of 4 variables, significantly increased the predictive power from the first step, explaining an additional 2.10%, for a total of 9.10%. The important predictors were future orientation and self-control, and gratefulness. 3) The third-step predictors from the theory of planned behavior, consisting of 4 variables, significantly increased the predictive power from the second step, explaining an additional 16.80%, for a total of 25.90%. The important predictors were behavioral intention, future orientation and self-control, psychological immunity, and moral disengagement. The research results reveal the outputs of the integration between theories, including the use of trait and state variables. Additionally, the research supports the concept of the interactionism model in explaining human behavior.

How Leadership and Social Capital Enable Collaboration for Sustainable Development in Asia: A Systematic Review

2025-09-09T21:08:52+07:00

This systematic review examines the interaction between leadership and social capital in enabling collaboration for sustainable development in Asia. Guided by the research question: How do leadership and social capital operate as mutually reinforcing mechanisms across diverse sectors in Asian contexts? This study synthesizes empirical evidence following PRISMA guidelines. A comprehensive search across five databases (JSTOR, Web of Science, Scopus, EBSCO, and ThaiJO) yielded 37 studies published between 2014 and 2025, spanning education, development, governance, and organizational sectors.

The analysis reveals four recurring thematic domains: (1) value-based leadership and social capital, (2) the conditional role of social capital in socioeconomic development, (3) the governance value of leadership and social capital, and (4) collaborative networks and organizational learning. Across these domains, leadership in Asian contexts emerges as culturally embedded and ethically grounded, serving as a relational mechanism that activates, distributes, and sustains multiple forms of social capital. In turn, social capital functions as both an enabler and a constraint on sustainable development outcomes, depending on leadership alignment, network structure, and institutional context. The review highlights the importance of culturally grounded leadership for inclusive governance and systemic resilience.

The review identifies key research gaps, including the underdevelopment of indigenous leadership models, insufficient attention to the dark sides of social capital, and the need for longitudinal approaches to understanding trust formation and institutional learning. Overall, the study underscores that in complex and culturally diverse environments, leadership and social capital operate as mutually reinforcing capabilities essential for inclusive governance, innovation, and systemic resilience.

Factors Associated with Living Will Decision-Making among Thai People: A Cross-sectional Study in the Aging Society

2025-10-25T14:18:31+07:00

Thailand is rapidly transitioning into an aging society, increasing the importance of advance care planning, including the establishment of living wills under Section 12 of the National Health Act B.E. 2550 (2007). This study aimed to examine demographic and attitudinal factors associated with attitudes toward making a living will among Thai citizens. Data were derived from the Low Fertility and Aging Society Situation Survey 2024, conducted by the Institute for Population and Social Research, Mahidol University. The sample consisted of 1,042 individuals aged 18 years and older. Data were collected through an online questionnaire and analyzed using descriptive statistics and chi-square tests. The results showed that gender (p = 0.029), age/generation group (p = 0.005), region of residence (p = 0.002) and educational level (p < 0.001) were significantly associated with attitudes toward making a living will, while marital status and occupation were not. In addition, attitudes toward low fertility, pro-natalist policies, and child allowance policy, as well as attitudes toward aging society policies—including redefining older persons as those aged 65 years and over, extending the retirement age to 65 years, and the concept of aging in place—were significantly associated with attitudes toward making a living will (p ≤ 0.001). Among respondents who agreed with making a living will, the highest proportion also supported redefining older persons as those aged 65 years and over (70.2%). These findings suggest that decisions regarding living wills are influenced not only by demographic factors but also by broader social attitudes toward population aging. Therefore, promoting living will completion in Thailand should integrate health literacy development with effective communication of aging policy, particularly targeting working-age and younger populations.

Policy recommendations to improve people's quality of life in the social service business of the State Railway of Thailand: A case study of Chumphon Station

2025-08-01T18:04:18+07:00

This study aims to examine the state of train service and the factors affecting the improvement of people's quality of life through train service. It also assesses the impact of social train service on people's quality of life. This study aims to propose guidelines for developing social train service models that respond to the principle of equality in service access. It also examines successful social train service models in foreign countries and uses them as a comparative guideline for developing social mass transit policies in Thailand. The research employed a documentary analysis method based on conceptual frameworks including Social Public Service, Public Service Motivation (PSM), Equity of Access, Social Fare, and Grassroots Development. The findings indicate that rail services at Chumphon Station significantly contribute to reducing social and spatial inequalities, especially among vulnerable populations, by lowering travel costs and increasing access to education, healthcare, and employment. However, challenges remain in service frequency, accessibility, and overall service quality. Developmental recommendations include increasing train frequency, implementing universal design principles in station infrastructure, creating flexible and fair fare systems, fostering community participation, and transforming the station into a local economic hub. Additionally, international examples—such as Estonia’s free rail policy, India’s low-cost rail system, and the UK’s welfare ticketing scheme—offer valuable insights for enhancing Thailand’s social rail services. These findings underscore that public transport development is not solely a matter of infrastructure but a vital mechanism for promoting equity, improving quality of life, and fostering sustainable grassroots development.

Community Strengthening Process for Food Security of Hand-to-Mouth Households in Suratthani Province

2026-01-09T15:08:21+07:00

The objectives of this research were threefold: 1) to investigate livelihoods, income generation, and food security; 2) to examine success factors and obstacles regarding community strengthening; and 3) to develop a community strengthening process for food security. This study employed a mixed-methods research approach. The sample consisted of 400 participants. Research instruments included questionnaires, in-depth interviews, and focus group discussions. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and content analysis. The results indicated that the mean score regarding livelihoods and food security was at a high level (X̄ = 3.81, S.D. = .823) based on a 5-point Likert scale. Success factors consisted of: 1) Internal factors, such as agricultural knowledge, community cooperation, the utilization of online platforms, and youth participation; and 2) External factors, such as land access, support from local agencies, and access to fair markets. Conversely, obstacles were identified at two levels: 1) Internal obstacles included a lack of time, insufficient income, a lack of knowledge regarding agricultural technology, and land shortages; and 2) External obstacles involved land scarcity, limited market access, budgetary and municipal policy constraints, a lack of follow-up, and infrastructure issues. The proposed model for the community strengthening process for food security comprises six steps: (1) Survey and situation assessment; (2) Awareness building and participation; (3) Collaborative planning; (4) Skill and resource development; (5) Implementation and network building; and (6) Monitoring and evaluation.

Performance of Government Subsidies for Public-Interest Private Organizations in HIV/AIDS Prevention and Alleviation

2026-02-24T17:48:25+07:00

This qualitative study aims to analyze the implementation outcomes, systemic mechanisms, and key challenges of government grant allocation to public-benefit non-governmental organizations (NGOs) engaged in HIV/AIDS prevention and control, as well as to formulate policy recommendations for improving future grant management. Data were collected through focus group discussions and in-depth interviews with grant management units and representatives of grant-recipient organizations, involving a total of 69 participants. The data were analyzed using content analysis.

The findings indicate that the grant mechanism plays a crucial role as a policy instrument in fostering civil society participation, particularly among networks of people living with HIV, youth groups, and gender-diverse populations. These groups function as intermediaries linking vulnerable populations to the public health service system. However, continuous budget reductions and annual-based funding allocations have undermined program continuity and constrained the development of new generations of community leaders. This limitation is especially evident among youth, who remain primarily positioned as service recipients rather than as community-level change agents. In addition, gaps were identified in grant governance, monitoring, and qualitative evaluation processes, reflecting structural limitations within the current grant management system.

This study recommends shifting toward multi-year funding arrangements alongside increased investment in capacity building and strengthened monitoring mechanisms to enhance the role of civil society and support the sustainable achievement of the goal of ending AIDS.

Learning Community: An Approach to Developing Bath Bomb Products from Community Agricultural Raw Materials to Create Identity and Self-Reliance

2025-07-03T15:39:13+07:00

This academic article aims to study the development of bath bomb products using agricultural raw materials from the community of Samoeng Tai District, Chiang Mai Province, through a learning community. Macadamia oil was used as an ingredient in the products to create a unique identity and add value to the community's offerings.The macadamia nuts produced in the Samoeng Tai community are high-quality agricultural products. A study on macadamia oil revealed that it possesses higher antioxidant activity than standard substances when tested using DPPH and ABTS methods. Incorporating macadamia oil as an ingredient in bath bomb products, at an appropriate proportion of approximately 1-5% of the product weight, enhanced the efficacy of the products and, importantly, added value to local raw materials. This innovation generated income for the community through distinctive local products, which aligned with the community's self-reliant economic approach.The development of these bath bomb products results from the community's collaborative learning process in utilizing local resources and wisdom through experimentation and the exchange of knowledge both within and outside the community. This process has transformed Samoeng Tai into a learning community that continues to lead to sustainable local economic development.

Alternative Markets with Community Participation for Grassroots Economic Development

2025-08-01T15:34:53+07:00

Alternative markets with community participation are a solution for developing the community economy, which is the development of the country’s grassroots economy. These alternative markets are available in both forms, using the area in the community as the criterion, or so-called community markets, and alternative markets using products as the criterion, or green markets. Alternative markets are markets free of middlemen, are areas where buyers and sellers can set reasonable prices, and are areas that promote career creation in the community, distribute income, and reduce inequality. They have local production processes using natural raw materials. Therefore, this production system is a process of conserving nature and the environment, resulting in good health in the community, creating a perspective on health care that is more preventive than curative, and creating good relationships between producers and consumers, knowing the sources of products in the market, and trusting each other. In addition, alternative markets play an important role in promoting community culture through organizing activities to exchange knowledge with each other in various forms, which plays an important role in developing communities in terms of economics, society, and the sustainable environment.

Editorial / Content

2026-04-28T21:16:05+07:00