THE RURAL POOR IN THE LATE: OPPORTUNITIES AND CHALLENGES 21 CENTURY

Abstract

This research titled “The Rural Poor: Opportunities and Challenges at the End of the 21st Century” aimed to: 1) study the rights and access to resources of the rural poor, 2) develop concepts, policies, and integrated strategies for addressing poverty, and 3) strengthen mechanisms to help the rural poor cope with future challenges. The study employed qualitative research methods, including document analysis, in-depth interviews, focus group discussions, and vocational promotion activities conducted in the rural community of Ban Mae Hat.

The findings revealed that: 1) the rural poor face several issues in accessing resources, such as the inability to acquire land ownership in protected forest areas, water scarcity due to mountainous terrain, limited access to education owing to distance and teacher shortages, and inadequate public health services. These issues call for state intervention through legal reforms and equitable resource allocation. 2) The development of integrated concepts, policies, and strategies focuses on addressing poverty through multiple dimensions—economic, social, educational, health, infrastructure, and environmental—emphasizing cooperation among government agencies, private organizations, and communities to ensure effective and sustainable problem-solving. 3) Mechanism building to prepare for future challenges is guided by the CMPAC model, which includes five stages: creating driving forces, shared learning, participatory planning, practical application, and transformative adaptation for sustainable development. Key activities included training in online sales, promoting savings, and developing community infrastructure. The research found that strengthening local mechanisms requires multi-sector collaboration and the practical application of the Sufficiency Economy Philosophy to daily life as a core approach to achieving sustainability.