Community empowerment process in spatial management in Tha Bua Subdistrict, Pho Thale District, Phichit Province

Abstract

The objectives of this research article are: 1) to study community management processes; 2) to develop a process for empowering communities in area-based management; and 3) to present that empowerment process for area-based management. This qualitative study employed purposive sampling to select 25 key informants, comprising members of the Tha Bua Subdistrict Administrative Organization committee, farmer groups, and government agencies. Research instruments included a structured interview schedule in conjunction with participant observation. Data were analyzed using content analysis and presented descriptively and narratively.

The findings revealed that

1) Community Management Process Tha Bua Subdistrict has established a “Natural Agriculture Learning Center,” which applies the “Nine-Step Ladder Theory toward Sufficiency, Prosperity, and Sustainability.” Through this framework, the community has demonstrated its capacity for “self-management” by maintaining traditional production systems—namely rice farming and fruit orchards (jujube, lime, guava, and pomelo)—based on the principle of safe chemical use. All practices comply with Good Agricultural Practice (GAP) standards, ensuring both consumer safety and environmental sustainability.

2) Community Empowerment Process The process of community empowerment aligns with sustainable development, based on the List Model, in the following aspects 1) knowledge management serves as a model for agricultural practices 2) innovation is integrated in ways consistent with agricultural production 3) it provides a pathway for scaling up safe agriculture at the local level and 4) it enables adaptation to changes in the health-oriented market system.

3) Community Empowerment in Spatial Management there is a process of community empowerment in spatial management based on three core forces: cooperation, solidarity, and spirituality that already exist within the community. These forces contribute to the holistic development of individuals in both material and spiritual dimensions. The outcome is reflected in the form of social capital, cultural capital, and natural capital, which enable the community to manage itself in accordance with the local conditions and challenges related to the agricultural production system.