SUFFiciENcy EcONOMy ANd GRASSROOtS DEvElOPMENt
SUFFiciENcy EcONOMy ANd GRASSROOtS DEvElOPMENt
SUFFiciENcy EcONOMy ANd GRASSROOtS DEvElOPMENt
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308<br />
The Meaning of Sufficiency Economy <br />
International Conference<br />
practice, modified to the requirements of the modern age. Local wisdom in<br />
Tha Kham is preserved through specialists on local herbs, and local<br />
doctors.<br />
In Tha Kham sub-district community knowledge is combined with efforts at<br />
SLD and life-long learning. Thus, people should be enabled to implement this<br />
knowledge, maintain critical thinking, and work with the community in a changing<br />
world; thus become a “learning community”. In the following section the author will<br />
explore the meaning of self-directed learning. <br />
<br />
The Self Directed Learning Framework<br />
Based on the works of Knowles (1975), Skeger (1977), Griffin (1983), and<br />
Brookfield (1984) self-directed learning can be summarized as motivated by the<br />
curiosity of the learner, he/she acquires knowledge by himself/herself according to<br />
own needs and adapting the knowledge to one’s own circumstances. In Thailand the<br />
concept has been taken up by Somkid Itsarawat (B.E.2538) and Chairit Phosuwan<br />
(B.E.2541). <br />
In the case of Tha Kham, self directed learning takes place by involving the<br />
local people. A scheme for the young was supported by Siam Commercial Company<br />
Association, Commercial Siam Thai Bank Ltd., (Plc.); the aim was to increase the<br />
capabilities of young people including recourse to local knowledge. The SLD<br />
framework was used for the schemes discussed above, as well as in creating and<br />
upgrading OTOP products, such as herbal soap, as well as in the management of<br />
supplying rubber to factories. <br />
<br />
Tha Kham Community Government<br />
The above activities have been matched with the creation of an organizational<br />
structure, a “community government”, headed by the governor, Mr. Sinthop Intharat.<br />
This administrative structure was meant to foster the participation and agency of<br />
local villagers. Villager associations took over functions that reflect ministries on the<br />
national level, such as finance. This “ministry” is responsible for community<br />
savings, budgetary policy and social welfare. Another ministry is responsible for<br />
Agricultural Affairs. <br />
The Tambon administration was divided into 7 ministries as the diagram below<br />
shows.