Components of a community and Sustainable Community Development: A Case Study of the Tai Dam Cultural Village, Ban Na Pa Nard, Loei Province

Abstract

The Tai Dam Cultural village, situated in Ban Na Pa Nard, Tam Bon Khao Kaew,
Chiang Khan District, Loei Province, is known to have the highest population of the Tai
Dam ethnic group in Thailand. Ban Na Pa Nard is an only village in Loei situated on
high ground. An understanding of the Tai Dam community is fundamental to building
a relationship and interaction for community development. A community consists of
people who have a similar way of life and regular interactions in the same place or in
the same profession or engaging in the same activity with a shared purpose. They also
have culture, beliefs or interests in common. The study found that the component
which fosters sustainable development in the Tai dam community is their tightly-knit
relationship to the environment and their cultural identity of spoken and written
language, occupation, clothing, customs, traditions and rituals. Furthermore, the Tai Dam
community believe in respect for individuality and diversity. As a result, the community
members are able to live with one another happily and peacefully and they are able
to promote sustainable community development.