Conflict Management among Local Community Leaders: A Case Study in Ta Kien Thong Sub-district Khitchakoot District Chanthaburi

Abstract

The purposes of this research entitled “Conflict Management among Local Community Leaders: a Case Study in Ta Kien Thong Sub-district Khitchakoot District Chanthaburi Province” were 1) to study factors causing the conflict between civic leaders and local area leaders in Ta Kien Thong Sub- district Khitchakoot District Chanthaburi Province and 2) to search for solutions of the conflict management between the civic leaders and local area leaders in Ta Kien Thong Sub-district Khitchakoot District Chanthaburi Province. The qualitative research methodology is used with the case study approach. The data are collected from key informants consisting of the civic leaders, local area leaders, informal community leaders, and common people in the area of Ta Kien Thong Sub-district Khitchakoot District Chanthaburi Province. The content analysis are used in data analysis process by interpreting from interviews, participatory observation, and then linking all of the collected data with related concepts and theory.
The research findings are as follows:
1. The factors and conditions which caused the civic leaders and local area leaders to have the conflict are found as that organization structure is the main factor causing the conflict. The problem is the job responsibility of the civic leaders and local area leaders are different, but they both work in the same area and they are responsible for taking care of the same group of people. Practically, their job description and responsibility are not obviously assigned. In addition, some leaders have no understanding of their job responsibility resulting in excessively working and job incidence. The values of the leaders are also the common factor leading to the conflict as well as the factor of interest which is caused by different attitudes, beliefs, and usurpation of interest.
2. The methods to manage the conflict between the civic leaders and local area leaders in Ta Kien Thong Sub-district Khitchakoot District Chanthaburi Province are divided into 3 solutions.
2.1. The solution which is in conformity with current situations is to have a negotiation. This is because the community in Ta Kien Thong Sub-district is socially based on the kinship. Thus, the negotiation with the kinship network still works as the solution to the conflict around this area.
2.2. The long-term legal measures and pressures from the group should be made as one of the solutions because the problem in Ta Kien Thong Sub-district is still a non-violent conflict. However, the situation might be even worse in the long run. The legal measures should be used to solve the problem. In the same way, people participation must be done by informing people the factual information for their own decision making.
2.3. Avoiding the conflict should be acted as the urgent measures in order to stop the spread of conflict and temporarily reduce the conflict. However, all of the conflicts cannot be eliminated and still can be occurred at anytime. Thus, it should be used as only the urgent measures when facing the conflict.