Community Development Process towards Sufficiency Economy : A Case Study of Ban Nawiang, Ko Kha District, Lampang Province.

Abstract

The main objective of the study of community development process towards sufficiency economy, the case of Ban Nawiang, Ko Kha District in Lampang Province was to investigate the development process emerging in this village that promotes the way of life according to the sufficiency economy approach. This included forms and levels of members’ participation in the development process and changes in households’ way of life following the concept of sufficiency economy. The qualitative research approach was adopted as the main approach of the investigation supplemented by the quantitative research approach. Data were collected by means of participant observation, in-depth interviews with 15 key informants, and personal interview with a sample of 123 households.

Research findings revealed that the development process towards sufficiency economy mobilized by the community covered 5 steps – (1) community study, (2) analysis and prioritization of community problems and needs, (3) community development project planning, (4) community development implementation, and (5) monitoring and evaluation. The overall score of level of members’ participation in the development process was average, with the highest score of participation found in the implementation step.  Changes in community members’ way of life towards sufficiency economy was observed at both awareness and practice levels.  The majority members ware aware and accepted the importance of applying the sufficiency community philosophy in their walks of life. They practically adopted by increasingly following the sufficiency economy principles in their daily lives. Their level of adoption fell mainly in the “practice and will be continued” category.    

Problems and obstacles related to the process of community development towards sufficiency economy included conflicts within the community the led to disunity of members’ minds, lack of knowledge and understanding about the proper process of community development among community members, and the village development committee also did not have sufficient knowledge and understanding regarding their roles as well as the process of community development administration.

Research suggestions included: (1) community members should be developed their minds towards a better public mind; (2) activities that promote community cohesion should be organized continually, and (3) new generations of leaders should be built for taking up the community development work in the future.