Social Entrepreneurship of Tai in Ban Luang Community, Mae Hong Son Province

Abstract

This research article aims to (1) understand processes of social working and social working experiences of social entrepreneurs, and (2) study the conditions to become social entrepreneurs of Tai in Ban Luang community through the concept of social entrepreneurship. Researcher selected “Ban Luang community”, Ban Luang, Moo.8, and Ban Taupae, Moo.1, Mae Ngao sub-district, Khun Yuam district, Mae Hong Son province, as the study area, and gathered data during July and December 2020. In order to study social working experiences and conditions to become social entrepreneurs, researcher interviewed with five homestay social entrepreneurs in Ban Luang community. In addition, by accidental sampling, questionnaires were distributed to 100 household sample (Ban Luang 35 household representatives and Ban Taupae 65 household representatives) to study community problems, satisfaction of Tai villagers towards homestay businesses, and cultural network creation and participation of Tai villagers towards homestay businesses in the community. The research findings indicate different ways of life and social working experiences of five social entrepreneurs (e.g., community leader, village committee, NGO staff, community rights activist) as inspirations of social entrepreneurs to aware social problems. Some Tai villagers in Ban Luang community transformed themselves into homestay social entrepreneurs by depending on five conditions: (1) awareness of social problems in the community, (2) social working experiences, (3) knowledge of social enterprise (homestay business) and government support, (4) social network creation and participation of Tai villagers, and (5) readiness of house and family.