Participatory Action Research in Developing of Cultural Learning Sites Related to the Production of Coffin (Prasartsop) in Rong Bua Loi Village, Wiang Chai District, Chiang Rai Province

Abstract

     The purposes of this participatory action research were (1) to develop the cultural learning sites related to the production of coffins (Prasat Sop) in Ban Rong Bua Loi village; and (2) to evaluate the appropriateness of cultural learning sites related to the production of coffins (Prasat Sop) in Ban Rong Bua Loi village. The data on cultural learning sites related to the production of coffins were collected from 30 research informants classified into coffin craftsmen, community leaders, and community board members.  The data on appropriateness evaluation of cultural learning sites were collected from 30 learners.  The tools for the study were an in-depth interview form, a focus group discussion, a community forum for panel discussion on guidelines for the development of cultural learning sites, and a scale to assess the appropriateness of cultural learning sites.  The research results were as follows: (1) Ban Rong Bua Loi community was famous and well-known for people in Chiang Rai province as the village that had been making coffins (Prasat Sop) for more than 40 years; so it had acquired the body of knowledge on coffin making, coffin decoration and coffin shapes that was its identity; (2) Ban Rong Bua Loi cultural learning sites related to the production of coffins comprised four learning bases, namely, the learning base on coffins (Prasat Sop), the learning based on making perforated decorations, the learning base on making the coffin structure, and the learning based on coffin decoration; and (3) the result of assessment of appropriateness of the cultural learning sites related to the production of coffins (Prasat Sop) by the learners showed that the cultural learning sites were appropriate at the high level.