ENHANCING COMMUNITY WELFARE FUND MANAGEMENT: A MIXED-METHODS DEVELOPMENT MODEL FOR NORTHEASTERN THAILAND

Apikanittha Nalao

doi:10.14456/apsr.2026.9

Authors

Apikanittha NALAO Faculty of Liberal Arts and Science, Nakhon Phanom University, Thailand

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.14456/apsr.2026.9

Keywords:

Community Welfare Funds, Participatory Governance, Institutional Resilience, Social Protection, Local Administration

Abstract

This article systematically investigates the critical determinants of community welfare fund management to effectively enhance localized social security and institutional resilience within rapidly transforming socioeconomic contexts. Focusing on Nakhon Phanom Province, Thailand, this study uses a robust mixed-methods design, integrating quantitative survey data from 397 community members with in-depth qualitative interviews with 20 key executive informants. The empirical findings show that current management practices are highly stable across the province. Crucially, multiple regression analysis identifies that proactive leadership, participatory governance, membership dynamics, physical capital, and administrative management systems are significant statistical predictors of effective fund administration. Interestingly, general social capital and institutional learning did not emerge as significant direct drivers in the quantitative model, challenging traditional assumptions. Synthesizing these insights, the research proposes a comprehensive, five-dimensional development model that prioritizes transparent management systems, equitable membership engagement, and adaptive local leadership. Ultimately, this localized governance framework offers actionable strategies for policymakers to successfully institutionalize sustainable, community-driven social safety nets applicable across diverse provincial and emerging regional contexts.

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