The Reinforcement and Restoration of Social Capital to Strengthen the Community Welfare Fund: A Case Study of “Kong Boon SatjaSawaddikarn Thai Ban” Puai Sub-district. LueAmnart District, Amnart Charoen Province

Abstract

The purpose of this research was to study the operating condition in the community welfare fund of “Kong Boon SatjaSawaddikarn Thai Ban” and to study the situation of the social capital in the community. The qualitative approach and participatory action research were used in this study. In-depth interview, observation and focused group discussion were employed for data collection and analysis. The samples were 680 people including; chiefs of “Kong Boon SatjaSawaddikarn Thai Ban”, the community leader, and people who were members and non-members of the fund in Puai sub-district.

Findings of the study revealed that understanding of ideology and sense of belonging of the fund should be established. As an influence of the globalization, capitalism and consumerism played major roles other than the social capital. The study also found that there were considerable execution processes to reinforce and restore the social capital for strengthening the community welfare. The processes were as follows; creating the realization on people toward the community; inventing community welfare innovation; sharing vision; planning with participation; and operating the plan. Participation should be encouraged in every process. Moreover, the community learning process and knowledge management were also the mainstays on strengthening of community welfare to develop the community to be self-reliance and sustainability.