Stage of Development Indicators Outlined by the Sufficiency Economy in Highland Communities of Thailand

Abstract

The highland in Thailand is located in the North mountainous complex at 500-1,400 meters above sea level covering 10.75 ha in 20 provinces, 53% of total area of the nation. The mountain populations more than 10 ethnic groups of 940,494 are poor, lack access to public services and limited participation in local development. In 2005, the royal Thai government established Highland Research and Development Institute (HRDI), a public funded organization, to catalyst sustainable highland development. The HRDI operation has been based on area approach transdisciplinary development that includes agricultural production, conservation of upstream resources and strengthening the community under the philosophy of sufficiency economy, a principle that gives importance to balanced development and promotes participation at all levels from individual level, family, community to national level.
This study aims to develop indicators with highland communities to reflect and assess evaluate their own community development by participation. The indicators comprise of 7 categories and 3 stages, dependent stage covering food security of individual and household (30 scores), interdependent stage that expands to well-being of collective groups and environment (40 scores) and networking stage that incorporates collaboration of different groups within community and with other entities (30 scores). The total score reflects level of community development A, B1, B2 and C respectively. The study also reveals highest relevance of the indicators with the UN sustainable development goals on poverty and hunger end, decent work and economic growth, responsible consumption and production and inequalities reduce.

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Author Information
Khodchaporn Sukchitpinyo, Highland Research and Development Institute, Thailand
Kesaraporn Sreechun, Highland Research and Development Institute, Thailand
Natthawan Thamsuwan, Highland Research and Development Institute, Thailand
Pedcharada Yusuk, Highland Research and Development Institute, Thailand

• Category: Community Development

Posted by James Alexander Gordon

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