Social Power in Participatory Management of the Lower Lam Pa Thao Watershed, Chaiyaphum Province, Based on Local Wisdom for Sustainable Community Economic Development

Abstract

This study aims to examine the context, situation, and challenges of the utilization of the lower Lam Phatow river basin, explore the process of building social capital in water resource management based on local wisdom, and identify strategies for sustainable community economic development. Using a mixed-methods research approach, the findings reveal that the Lam Phatow river basin plays a crucial role in the community's economy and way of life, yet faces challenges such as declining water levels, pollution, and land use changes. Traditional water management practices based on local wisdom have been displaced by state-led projects that lack community participation, leading to limitations and conflicts.

The process of building social capital for participatory water resource management in the Lam Phatow river basin based on local wisdom consists of three key components: (1) foundational factors, including social capital, local wisdom, and the community knowledge of "Rahat Widh Nam" (traditional water-lifting techniques); (2) mechanisms for participation, ranging from collaborative planning, implementation, to the creation of a community constitution; and (3) supportive processes, involving knowledge management, integration of modern knowledge, establishment of community organizations (such as the "Rahat" rice farming group), communication, and consensus-building through community forums. These mechanisms enhance the community's capacity and sustainability in water resource management.

The proposed approach for sustainable community economic development, as derived from the research, is the integration of local wisdom with modern knowledge under strong leadership and active participation. The preservation and transmission of knowledge strengthen water security, food security, income generation, and the community's ability to be self-reliant and adapt to changing conditions sustainably.