MOBILIZATION FOR SUFFICIENCY ECONOMY IN LOCAL ADMINISTRATIVE ORGANIZATIONS: A CASE STUDY OF KO KRET SUB-DISTRICT ADMINISTRATIVE ORGANIZATION, NONTHABURI PROVINCE

Abstract

The objective of this research was to study the level of sufficiency economy and approaches for upgrading the level of sufficiency economy in Ko Kret Sub-district Administrative Organization, Nonthaburi Province. This research employed qualitative research methodology. Research data were collected by studying related documents, interviews, focus group discussion, and observation. Thirty-six samples obtained through purposive sampling were eighteen administrators, local government officials, and employees of Ko Kret Sub-district Administrative Organization, as well as eighteen community leaders, local wisdom scholars, and community members. Qualitative and quantitative data were analyzed using the framework of the systematic analysis of sufficiency economy, and twelve indicators were applied to evaluate the level of happiness of the organization. Data triangulation was conducted to verify the findings and results which were presented descriptively.

The results revealed that the level of sufficiency economy in Ko Kret Sub-district Administrative Organization was at the understanding level indicating that the organization was considered as a happy organization. According to the result of the evaluation, the organization earned a score of 251 out of 300 based on 12 indicators. The approach for upgrading the level of sufficiency economy of the organization was the determination to be a happy organization by operating in accordance with the indicator criteria of sufficiency economy at the accessible level with the emphasis on the indicators that received evaluation scores less than the determined criteria, namely, 10.1 indicator: Education, 10.3 indicator: garbage management at the higher level, 11.1 indicator: participation in activities to improve natural resources and environment, 12.1 indicator: reducing social problems through lowering vices in the area to the lowest level as much as possible, and 12.2 indicator: increasing social welfare to the fullest possible extent. Such improvements would require enhancement of public participation by raising public awareness of benefts and direct effects on community living. In order to achieve the above-mentioned targets, the Chief Executive of Ko Kret Sub-district Administrative Organization must be capable of performing his leadership and work in collaboration with all sectors and informal leader networks in the community.