A People's Attitudes towards Sustainable Community Development Models in Hin Lek Fai Subdistrict, Khu Mueang District, Buriram Province

Abstract

This research aimed: 1) to study the attitudes and needs of the public toward sustainable community development models in Hin Lek Fai Subdistrict, Khu Mueang District, Buriram Province; 2) to compare the public’s attitudes and needs in various aspects classified by gender, age, educational level, occupation, and income; and 3) to study suggestions for improving and developing public attitudes in Hin Lek Fai Subdistrict, Khu Mueang District, Buriram Province. The study consisted of four aspects: community participation, development or assistance, economic, and social aspects. The sample consisted of 360 respondents, selected using stratified proportional sampling with villages as the criteria. The research instrument was a questionnaire comprising three types of questions: checklist questions, five-level rating scale questions, and open-ended questions. The reliability coefficient of the questionnaire was 0.810. Statistics used for data analysis included percentage, mean, and standard deviation. Comparisons between two groups were conducted using t-test, and one-way analysis of variance (F-test) was also employed.The results revealed that the overall public attitude toward sustainable community development models was at the highest level in all aspects. When ranked from highest to lowest mean scores, the aspects were social, community participation, development and assistance, and economic aspects. The comparative analysis of public attitudes toward sustainable community development models in Hin Lek Fai Subdistrict, classified by gender, age, educational level, occupation, and income, showed no significant differences overall or in each aspect. Suggestions obtained from interviews indicated that Hin Lek Fai Subdistrict, Khu Mueang District, Buriram Province should establish appropriate and environmentally friendly wastewater and waste management systems within the community. In addition, importance should be given to creating activity spaces for children, youth, and the elderly in order to strengthen social cohesion within the community.