MODEL OF WAY OF LIFE ACCORDING TO SUFFICIENCY ECONOMY PRINCIPLES OF CHANTHABOON WATERFRONT COMMUNITY

Abstract

The purposes of this research included: (1) To study the history and way of life of Chanthaboon waterfront community; (2) To study the application of Sufficiency Economy Philosophy of Chanthaboon waterfront community; and (3) To propose a model of way of life according to Sufficiency Economy Principles of Chanthaboon waterfront community. The research methods were mixed methods including qualitative and quantitative research: (1) qualitative research by specifying 11 key informants selected by purposive sampling from the experts.  Data collecting instrument was a structured in-depth interview. The data were collected by using face-to-face in-depth interview and analyzed by using descriptive interpretation; and (2) quantitative research by collecting data through a questionnaire from 190 samples out of the population of 364. The data were analyzed by using descriptive statistics including frequency, percentage, mean and standard deviation. The results of this research were as follows.

1. The history and way of life of Chanthaboon waterfront community showed that Chanthaboon waterfront community was an ancient community that had a long history since the Ayutthaya period. In the past, it used to be a prosperous commercial center. The community was perfectly blended with religions, cultures, traditions and arts and the people lived together harmoniously. While tourists were traveling, they would simultaneously gain knowledge i.e. traveling together with learning. Chanthaboon waterfront community was an economic and cultural route reflecting the strength and good vision that was interesting in driving this cultural community to be a strengthened one. 2. In the application of the Sufficiency Economy Philosophy of Chanthaboon waterfront community, it was found that the philosophy was applied in various aspects of the community including economic way of life, social way of life, urban society aspect, living a way of life and natural resources and environment.  3. The model of way of life according to the sufficiency economy principles of Chanthaboon waterfront community showed that the community had its diversity of culture, race and religion and became the identity of Chanthaboon waterfront community. This was considered as a social and cultural capital. That was because most of lifestyle in the past focused on boat transportation in trading, selling or contacting with others. For the present lifestyle, the boat transportation was replaced by land transportation. Nowadays, most of the residents were mainly in trading. There were also latent population renting or buying local shops to invest and trade following the model  of Thai tourism market. The Provincial Commercial Office had proposed tourism plan  through economic and cultural route that might be attractive for tourists to come to visit