| Abstract | The purpose of this study is to document and analyze the participation processes of women and
men of Sakhlee Community in rural community-based development activities. The group
activities studied are nine but of two categories: (1) those initiated by a group of concerned
' local p¢ople to cope with the problems generated by rapid urbanization and industrialization, a
consequence of the state-guided economic development policies, and (2) those sponsored by
the government for rural development. Based on the initial information collected through
participant observation, informal groups discussion, and interview with key persons, a set of
questionnaire was constructed for interviewing 165 (50%) villagers who were randomly
sampled from the members of the community's nine group activities. The data was statistically
analyzed by using SPSS. Descriptive statistical tools were used to interpret the data.
The socio-economic characteristics of the respondents are as follows. Seventy six percent of
the respondents were over 3 6 with more women than men, and most were married. Half of the
respondents, more women than men, had only primary education. Eighty five percent owned
their living quarters, but only 62% owned the land they cultivate, and 10% had income from
non-farm occupation. Only 4% had to rent land for both living and farming. For occupation,
only one-third, more women than men, were agriculturists. The largest group of occupation
was manual labor, almost one quarter, with equal number of men and women. About 20% of
the respondents either had their own business or engaged in micro-scale entrepreneurs in the
iuformal sector. While 13% were government officials, only 3% were private employees.
Among the respondents were five housewives, one politician (woman), and four students (2
men, 2 women). Half of the respondents did not work for supplementary income. If needed,
both men and women tended to depend on wage labor or agricultural work. Over half of the
respondents reported to have their monthly income and expenditure in the range of 2,500-7,500
baht.
The participation process were analyzed in terms of factors influencing individual's perception
(encouraging and discouraging to join group activities), type of activities, and level/ intensity of
participation.
On joining group activities, almost one-third decided for themselves. About 23% reported
either parents or mother influenced them, but only 15% referred to their father. More women
attributed this influence to their mothers while men to their father, or both parents.
On level of participation, there were subtle differences at planning, implementation, sharing
benefit and monitor/evaluation stages. Trend to low education and need supplementary
incomes seemed to be two most important factors that attracted both men and women to
participate in group activities.
11 The perceived social gains were welfare of the community's children and youth, a cleaner and
greener environment, accumulation of merit (or faith in the law of karma, continuation of the
community's ancient history (pride in community history). Another perceived social benefit was
building up of mutual trust and cooperation seen as essential for supporting the local people's
learning processes. The perceived economic gains were opportunities to learn about how to
economize and save up money, how to cope with urban economic encroachment as well as
gaining a sense of security, that is, they were not alone in this economic hardship and social
disruption. The perceived political factors were the prestige of being part of a group that helped
the community regain self-reliance and self-confidence. Some felt empowered because they not
only increased their knowledge from working with the charismatic local leader but also realized
their capability in solving community problems along with others. Born in this community, this
widely respected leader was a local teacher whose unpretentious personality and being kind and
wise was an inspiring role mode of all members.
Besides the encouraging factors, the discouraging factors were the lack of understanding about
the concept of empowerment, the lack of cooperation of non-members in the community, and
the lack of publicity about the role and contribution of the groups.
It is, therefore, important that the groups' leaders should try to communicate or popularize to
the wider community, the temple, and the school about their philosophy and goals of various
group activities for community development. They also should try to build up organizational
transparency, particularly on money matter, to reduce potential conflict and bad image of the
groups. The struggling processes of the Sakhlee people should be a model for policy malrnrs to
plan for enhancing local capacity for sustainable development by (1) modifying the Sakhlee
experience to be a life-long learning mechanism for other rural communities in Thailand, and
(2) allocating funds to strengthen local initiatives. The current economic crisis has prompted
the Thai bureaucracy to seriously reform its structures. |