DEVELOPMENT OF MON SABAI PRODUCTS USING THE CONCEPT OF CULTURAL CAPITAL AND DESIGN THINKING TO DRIVE THE CREATIVE ECONOMY OF THAI–RAMAN (MON) COMMUNITY, BANG KRADI, BANGKOK

Abstract

This study aimed to 1) explore the body of knowledge related to Sabai Mon and 2) develop Sabai Mon products through the concept of cultural capital and design thinking to drive the creative economy of the Thai-Raman (Mon) community in Bang Kradi. The research employed a mixed-methods design, using qualitative research to study the cultural knowledge associated with Sabai Mon and quantitative research to evaluate the development of the product. The participants comprised 152 individuals, including 3 community elders and scholars, and 149 general residents of the Bang Kradi community.
Research instruments included in-depth interviews and a satisfaction questionnaire. The Data were analyzed using content analysis, frequency, mean, and standard deviation.

          The findings revealed that: 1) the knowledge of Sabai Mon reflects the cultural roots and identity of the Thai-Raman (Mon) community through 3 key components such as fabric type, patterns, and colors, each of which embodies symbolic meanings tied to local beliefs and traditions. 2) The application of cultural capital and design thinking resulted in newly developed Sabai Mon products that integrate traditional value with contemporary appeal. Overall satisfaction with the developed products was high, particularly regarding the color design of the fabric. Moreover, the study highlights that integrating cultural capital with design thinking provides an innovative pathway for advancing cultural products and offers theoretical insights into how cultural capital can function as a key mechanism for fostering a community’s creative economy.