Community strengthening through the participation process of the tradition of Nak Hod Procession in Ban Non Salao Community, Nong Tum Sub-district, Phu Khiao District, Chaiyaphum Province

Abstract

          The objectives of the research project entitled “Social contract to build up community strengthening through the participation process of the tradition of Nak Hod Procession in Ban Non Salao Community, Nong Tum Sub-district, Phu Khiao District, Chaiyaphum Province” were to study the contexts and analyze the political, economic, social, cultural and environmental situations in order to synthesize the community strengthening through the process of participation in tradition of Nak Hod Procession and to be the policy proposals and the guidelines for community strengthening of organizations and the government. Qualitative research methods were employed in the study. 
          The results of the study on the political, economic, social, cultural contexts and environment of the tradition of Nak Hod Procession were revealed as follows. For the political context, there was a decentralization of power in the form of village groups in order to facilitate the care and distribution of information to the members within the community thoroughly. According to the economic context, there were occupation groups for producing community products for sales. The social relations of people in the community were kinship. There was a horizontal social structure. In terms of the cultural context, there is the tradition of Nak Hod Procession which beliefs and rituals had been carried on from generations to generations. These created love and harmony in the community and environment in the community has abundant natural resources that nourish people in the community, including soil, water and forests.      
          For the policy proposals and the guidelines for community strengthening of organizations and the government, it was found that the local cultural traditions engaged people in the community to create love, unity and creative power in developing community and solving community problems. Therefore, government agencies should have a policy to improve, promote and support local cultural traditions seriously and use them as a driving force in creating love, unity and community development and strengthening.