SUFFiciENcy EcONOMy ANd GRASSROOtS DEvElOPMENt
SUFFiciENcy EcONOMy ANd GRASSROOtS DEvElOPMENt
SUFFiciENcy EcONOMy ANd GRASSROOtS DEvElOPMENt
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The Meaning of Sufficiency Economy <br />
International Conference<br />
307<br />
funds, community welfare services provided for births, for retirement, cases<br />
of sickness and death, and hospital fees. Furthermore, the social welfare<br />
fund of Tha Kham community decreased household expenditure, since<br />
payments remained with the fund until people needed to cover the above<br />
expenses. in addition, TAO Tha Kham Tambon has made remarkable<br />
improvements in providing medical service through its Public Health<br />
Center for 3 Tambons. . <br />
(2) Institutional capital, from the family unit as the basic social institution up to<br />
political institutions, has an indispensable role of supporting and<br />
developing communities and the society to be strong and harmonious. <br />
- Educational institutions have the role to not only convey technical<br />
knowledge, but also contribute to the morality and ethical development<br />
of society. TAO Tha Kham for example, has created a center for the<br />
young, which combines these objectives, integrating modern knowledge<br />
with local wisdom. The young receive moral training, partly from the<br />
community elders. The aim is also to restore community traditions, and<br />
acquire new knowledge to decrease poverty through self-reliance, which<br />
is done through the “Life University” of Tha Kham. Knowledge<br />
exchange and networking among communities is taking place at the<br />
University of Klong Prea villagers, district of Cha Na, Songkla<br />
province. The Computer Center for the Youth is meant to further the<br />
learning and potential of the young generation.<br />
- Mass Media institution has a high influence on our behavior and values.<br />
In Tha Kham media channels were directed towards increasing<br />
capabilities and matters of interest for village households. A community<br />
radio was established. <br />
(3) Cultural capital or intellectual capital is about value systems, ethics,<br />
discipline, public awareness, Thai culture, and local wisdom. In Thailand<br />
there is a high diversity of social norms, beliefs and faiths, traditions etc;<br />
this heritage is a source of pride, and efforts to preserve and sustain these<br />
cultural traits should be undertaken. This is for the benefit of individuals,<br />
families, communities and society at large. Moreover, these cultural traits<br />
serve as examples and guiding principles of a balanced co-existence<br />
between people and nature. In the case of Tha Kham such efforts of<br />
conservation and maintenance serves to strengthen the community. Such<br />
traditions in Tha Kham include the upholding of Buddhist days and Muslim<br />
traditions, ordination of novices, full moon festivals that bring the whole<br />
community together, Songkhran festival etc.<br />
(4) Local wisdom, including local arts and knowledge as inherited from<br />
ancestors. These are collective values handed down since centuries. This<br />
diverse knowledge helps to pursue the sustainable coexistence of people<br />
and nature. Until today, this knowledge can still serve as a guide for