The Participatory Potential Development of herbal compress ball manufacturers at Ban Klong village, Ban Klong Subdistrict, Phitsanulok

Abstract

This is participatory action research intended to study the potential and requirement of Thai herbal compress ball manufacturers in creating community products for the Ban Khlong community, Ban Khlong Subdistrict, Mueang District, Phitsanulok Province. The research process consisted of 3 steps: 1) The study of the community context and the potential of herbal compress ball manufacturers, 2) a SWOT analysis of the group potential, and 3) the development of herbal compress products. There were 4 groups of key informants: 1) The three main founding leaders of herbal compress ball manufacturers, consisting of one generation leader, and two current generation leaders, 2) The six members of herbal compress ball manufacturers in Ban Khlong Subdistrict, Mueang District, Phitsanulok Province. 3) Three associate agencies, consisting of one Ban Khlong Sub-District Municipality official, one Phitsanulok Provincial Industrial Office official, and one Ban Khlong Sub-District Health Promoting Hospital officer. 4) A group of 5 participants who applied the usage of herbal compress ball product. This research used the interview method to collect data, group chat, and descriptive data analysis was also used.

            The results showed that herbal compress ball manufacturers have a high potential of utilizing community capital. Since the community has raw materials suitable for the production of herbal compress balls. Moreover, there was wisdom that originally belonged to the manufacturer leaders, and such wisdom was further expanded by knowledge management together with health agencies in the community for a long time. In addition, the Ban Khlong herbal compress ball manufacturers group has factors that contribute to the strength and sustainable business operations, both from the leader of the manufacturers' group and from members who are proficient and have a good work attitude. Also, with a clear structural system and clear roles. Plus, received support from agencies both within the community and outside the community. The Product is further developed by changing fresh herbs to dried herbs that can be used more easily, more conveniently, and have more storage periods. In addition, it also meets the users' requirement in using the compressed ball for initial self-treatment according to Thai traditional medicine guidelines. Regarding the opportunities, the key potential to promote the herbal compress ball is the ability to reach the target groups who are inconvenient or difficult to access medical facilities services due to the recent coronavirus outbreak. Moreover, herbal product usage has become popular among working-age people nowadays.