Model for Preserving, Continuing, and Disseminating Local Culture of Thai Zong Dam in Ban Nong Noen, Tha Tako District, Nakhon Sawan Province

Abstract

The objectives of this research article were 1) to study the status and history of preserving, continuing, and disseminating local culture of Thai Zong Dam; 2) to create and verify the quality of the model; and 3) to evaluate the model for preserving, continuing, and disseminating Thai Zong Dam local culture in Ban Nong Noen, Tha Tako District, Nakhon Sawan Province. This was the qualitative research using semi-structured interviews and focus group discussions with key informants, selected purposively. Each group consisted of 15 individuals, namely 1) local administrative organization executives, subdistrict headmen, and village headmen; 2) community leaders, abbots, school administrators, and subdistrict health promotion hospital administrators; and 3) cultural network partners, community enterprises, OTOP and community shops. Data were analyzed using content analysis methods to systematically classify and summarize key points. The research results found that 1) originally, Thai Zong Dam settled in the area of Sip Song Chau Tai region. The Thai army during the early Rattanakosin period rounded them up several times and spread to various provinces, including Ban Nong Noen, Tha Tako District, Nakhon Sawan Province. They still strongly preserved, continued, and disseminated their culture, traditions, and unique way of life; 2) the model of preserving, continuing and spreading local culture in the form of a conservation committee that focused on creating awareness of its value, cherishing and restoring arts and culture with excellent practices and analyzing the real problems and needs of the community; and  3) the model was evaluated based on four standards: (1) Feasibility: all sectors should be given opportunities to join the cultural network (“BWOR”), which was the true power of the community, (2) Usefulness: It should promote and develop the new generation to be cultural entrepreneurs, creating tangible innovations, (3) Appropriateness: Big data should be used to drive the preservation, continuation, and dissemination of Thai Zong Dam arts and culture, (4) Accuracy and comprehensiveness: It should promote awareness of cultural rights, cultural rights protection, and cultural dissemination and access to diverse cultures