IMPROVING THE FIGHT AGAINST POVERTY AMONG IMPOVERISHED HOUSEHOLDS IN SUB YAI DISTRICT, CHAIYAPHUM PROVINCE, USING THE KING'S SCIENCE

Abstract

Objectives of this research article were: 1. To investigate the poverty conditions of impoverished households and 2. To explore guidelines for elevating the fight against poverty in Sub Yai District, Chaiyaphum Province, using the King’s Science. This qualitative research was conducted in two phases. In the first phase, poverty conditions across five dimensions were studied using semi-structured interviews with 12 heads of impoverished households identified by the Multidimensional Poverty Index (MPI). In the second phase, guidelines for poverty alleviation were explored through focus group discussions involving 12 heads of impoverished households and 14 development partners. Data were analyzed using content descriptive interpretation.

The research findings revealed that all targeted impoverished households were composed of the elderly, who faced complex challenges across five dimensions. In terms of health, a high prevalence of chronic diseases significantly hindered their livelihoods and access to services. Regarding living conditions, households occupied dilapidated dwellings and faced land ownership constraints, which obstructed their eligibility for government housing assistance. Economically, they relied primarily on state welfare, which proved insufficient for daily expenses. In education, there were concerns regarding the educational costs of their grandchildren. Furthermore, access to public services was limited by health barriers and communication gaps. The guidelines for elevating poverty alleviation through THE KING’S SCIENCE emphasized empowerment and integrated collaboration. The study proposed the development of household health maps, the promotion of sustainable food security through the Khok Nong Na Model, the improvement of hygienic housing, the expansion of Elderly Schools to promote vocational and life skills, and measures for informal debt resolution. The primary contribution of this research was the S-Poverty Model (Relative Poverty Reduction Model for the Elderly in Impoverished Households), which focused on building sustainable capital and providing holistic care to reduce inequality and break the cycle of intergenerational poverty.