Community Power in Driving the Development of the Sufficiency Economy of the Nakhon Sawan Oak Subdistrict Administrative Organization, Nakhon Sawan Province

Abstract

Abstract

          This study aimed to (1) examine the process of community empowerment, (2) investigate the problems affecting community empowerment, and (3) identify development approaches to strengthen community empowerment in driving the sufficiency economy development of the Nakhon Sawan Ok Subdistrict Administrative Organization, Nakhon Sawan Province. This research employed a qualitative approach. Key informants included executives of the Subdistrict Administrative Organization, heads of government units, community development officers, and local residents, totaling 17 participants selected through purposive sampling. Data were collected through in-depth interviews and focus group discussions with 10 people and analyzed using inductive content analysis.

          The study found that: 1) The process of building community empowerment consists of five steps: (1) raising awareness and encouraging participation to help the community understand the principles of the sufficiency economy; (2) forming groups and establishing organizations to create a systematic collaborative structure; (3) developing and expanding projects through data collection, planning, implementation, and evaluation; (4) strengthening community leaders and networks to support collaboration across different groups; and (5) monitoring and evaluating outcomes to use the information for sustainable development. 2) Problems affecting community empowerment include: (1) weak community participation, limited understanding, unstable group formation, and a lack of monitoring systems; (2) ineffective communication, insufficient channels, and a lack of platforms for information exchange; (3) limited resources and budgets, including insufficient funding and support; (4) inadequate skills among leaders and personnel and a lack of continuous development; and (5) incomplete application of the sufficiency economy principles, resulting in unsustainable projects and the absence of systematic lesson-learning processes. 3) Approaches to developing community empowerment include: (1) enhancing understanding of the sufficiency economy, promoting group participation, developing leaders, and ensuring continuous monitoring; (2) improving communication channels, producing educational materials, and connecting community information networks; (3) managing resources efficiently, supporting community funds, and monitoring budget utilization; (4) enhancing leadership capacity, promoting teamwork, and encouraging the use of technology; and (5) promoting practical training, using local leaders as role models, and integrating sufficiency economy principles into development plans to achieve sustainable community outcomes.