Integrated development to solve the problems of poverty: a case study at Ban Kok Yai, Moo 9, Tambon Samet, Amphur Muang, Buriram province (Thai)

Abstract

The objectives of this research were to investigate the general situation and the causes of poverty and to develop a model of poverty solutions in Ban Kok Yai, Tambon Samet, Amphur Muang, Buriram. The population in this research was 300 villagers, 10 community leaders and 5 government officers.The instruments used in this research were a survey and an in-depth interview questionnaire which were then analyzed by percentage, mean and standard deviation. The results found that the area of this village is 550 square meters with a population of 1,456. Most of the people (80%) work in agriculture, 10% in commerce, 5% in the private sector, and 5% as public servants. The income per year is 5,000-10,000 baht or 833 per month, which is considered to be "severe income poverty" and the Gini Coefficient Value is at 0.5, which is the inequality of income distribution. The causes of poverty are 1) problems of debt, income and expenditure, education and society, in order. The model for solving this poverty problem has 3 steps, which are firstly the support of knowledge in different parts such as 1) training for occupation, 2) training for "Debt Administration" and 3) training for "Sufficiency Economy Theory". The second step is practical support after getting the training, and the final step is the setting up of an agricultural market in the community, a bank for the people and the making of signs saying "When you decrease your spending on luxuries, you will get more income or money" or "This village likes to plant vegetables in the kitchen garden in order to decrease expenditure".