SUFFiciENcy EcONOMy ANd GRASSROOtS DEvElOPMENt

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