| Abstract | The study is concerned with the role of rural leaders as change agents in rural development in Thailand. An attempt is made to find out the attitude of the people, both leaders and non-leaders, towards the leaders' role in rural development. The work methods, quality, and attitude of the rural leaders are also the touched upon in study. Furthermore, guidelines for planning to promote and streng then the leaders' role as community agents in rural development are recommended.
The three important perceptions of the leaders' role in rural development are: -firstly, the role as "initiator" of ideas and Programs for development, secondly, the role as "cohesiveness builder", to encourage the involvement of the Villagers in rural development, and lastly, the role as "central figure", to contact the external local source of services and seek support for the betterment of the villagers. The leaders have adopted various methods in working with the groups and solving the group problems.
Most of the leaders have participated in agricultural and security training which was provided by the government and non-government agencies in the area. Formal leaders, the Phuyaibans and their assistants in every village have participated in various kinds of training and have more contacts with the outside local source of services than the other informal leaders. Ethics, -high moral standard, patience and sacrificing, hard working, honesty and impartiality are viewed by the villagers as the important characteristics of a good leader in the community.
It is suggested that, in promoting rural leaders' role as change agents in rural development, the formulation of an effective plan of promoting and strengthening the role at the implementation level is needed. Opportunities should be created for the rural leaders both formal and informal in order to develop their workskill and capability through existing assemblies and activities. The training and development of rural leaders should include substance and techniques in regard to the role that the community agents themselves should play. The substance and techniques should be adapted to the realities of the leaders, -their nature, role, perceptions and attitude. Some areas of research in community leadership are suggested with a view to build further knowledge at the end of the study. |