A Sustainable Sufficiency Economy Model Based on Community Identity in Security-Challenged Areas: A Case Study of Thailand’s Southern Border Provinces

Abstract

This study aims to examine current contextual and spatial changes in Thailand’s southern border provinces, assess residents’ quality of life amid persistent security challenges, analyze security-related environmental factors that influence everyday life, and develop a sustainable sufficiency-economy model grounded in community identity within security-challenged contexts. This study employed a mixed-methods design that integrated qualitative and quantitative approaches. In-depth interviews were conducted with 12 representatives from government agencies and a focus group with 30 community leaders. Semi-structured interview guides and focus group protocols were employed, and qualitative data were analyzed using content analysis. For the quantitative component, surveys were administered to 384 residents in the southern border provinces, and the data were analyzed using frequency distributions, percentages, means, and standard deviations. Findings revealed three significant contextual challenges: ongoing unrest and security issues; the spread of drug abuse; and the impact of large-scale infrastructure projects and Malaysia’s rapid development. Regarding quality of life, concerns emerged in four areas: rising chronic conditions such as office syndrome, increased cases of depression and anxiety, persistent economic hardship and unemployment, and heightened feelings of insecurity in daily life. Survey results confirmed that the environmental dimension of quality of life scored lowest, particularly with respect to financial sufficiency for basic needs. Despite these challenges, the findings indicate that substantial social and cultural capital remains in the region, reflected in high evaluations of several security-environment dimensions, except for the economic dimension. Based on these findings, the proposed model for a sustainable sufficiency economy consists of six mechanisms: network building, participatory research, knowledge-based learning, communication for change, behavioral incentives, and community-based development through integrated collaboration. The study highlights how community identity and the Philosophy of Sufficiency Economy can be mobilized to enhance quality of life, strengthen security, and promote sustainable development in security-challenged border areas.