Sustainable Management Model for Self-reliant Community: A Case Study of the Ethnic Chong, Klongplu, Kho Khitchakut District, Chanthaburi Province

Abstract

Sustainable Management Model for Self-Reliant Community: A Case Study of the Ethnic Chong Klongplu, Khao Khitchakut District, Chanthaburi Province.” These objectives are: 1) to study the situation in the community, way of life, and the adaptation of the ethnic Chong, Klongplu, Khao Khitchakut district, Chanthaburi, 2) to examine the community management and the state of problems following community-based approaches of the self-reliant ethnic Chong, Klongplu, Khao Khitchakut district, Chanthaburi, and 3) to offer recommendations for sustainable self-reliant community management of the ethnic Chong, Klongplu, Khao Khitchakut district, Chanthaburi.

Qualitative research is employed aiming at investigating a sustainable self-reliant community management model. The unit of analysis is the ethnic Chong, Klongplu sub-district, Khao Khitchakut district, Chanthaburi province. Data is collected from documented sources, participation observation, non-participation observation, focus group discussions, and in-depth interviews.

Research findings indicate that the sustainable management for self-reliant community of the ethnic Chong, Klongplu, Khao Khitchakut district, Chanthaburi province on economic, social, and cultural issues comprise: 1) community leader, 2) collaboration in the community, 3) promotion of community strength, 4) restoration of the local language and culture, 5) knowledge transfer, 6) preservation of identity, 7) community fund, and 8) knowledge management and community learning. In addition, the researcher has synthesized various community’s problems and obstacles in order to adopt an approach to sustainability for the ethnic Chong. The first component, existence of the community, includes: 1) adaptation, 2) relationship, 3) raising awareness, and 4) community capital. The second component, supported organizations, includes: 1) community organizations, 2) government agencies, and 3) the private sector. Community development policies from both the public and private sectors have been integrated with the sufficiency economy philosophy as a guideline for the attainment of a sustainable self-reliant community, coupled with the creation of a pleasant society that is keen on changes from the modern world.

The key recommendation proposed from this research is that the government should establish sustainable development policies for the community with the participation of the public and private sectors. Furthermore, both sectors and the community organizations should regularly organize together a knowledge transfer campaign about the Chong’s history, culture, traditions, and self-reliant way of life from the past. Emphasis should be put on the self-sufficiency lifestyle that contributes to sustainable and happy living in order to awake the inspiration of the younger generations regarding the value of the ethnic Chong. So, they follow suit by taking the self-sufficiency lifestyle and developing into a living model. This also triggers the consciousness that younger generations will feel affection for, and have pride in, being Chong and help pass on the Chong’s assets.