Factors Relating to the success use the Philosophy Sufficiency Economy of Famers around Huay Sai Royal Development Study Center Phetchaburi Province Thailand

Abstract

The objectives of this study were: 1) to analyze the factors affecting the ways of life of successful farmers and unsuccessful farmers in the application of the sufficiency economy philosophy in their lives, and to analyze the actual factors which hamper the farmers living in the area from joining the Huay Sai Royal Development Study Center; 2) to find out the pattern, the approach and the way to drive the sufficiency economy philosophy of the Huay Sai Royal Development Study Center; and 3) to present a guideline for driving the sufficiency economy philosophy process of the Huay Sai Royal Development Study Center. Samples used in this study were farmers who live in the villages surrounding the Huai Sai Royal Development Study Center and who were also members of the Huai Sai Royal Development Study Center. The farmers were divided into 3 groups: 1) successful farmers (39 samples); 2) unsuccessful farmers (127 samples); and 3) non-participating farmers (368 samples). The total was 534 samples. The research of the process driving the sufficiency economy philosophy at the Huay Sai Royal Development Study Center, Phetchaburi province was integrative in nature, combining both quantitative research and qualitative research. The research tools included: secondary data study of texts, articles, documents, theories and related research to determine the scope of the study and to create a research tool that covers the objectives of the research; primary data study of how to create in-depth interviews from documents to determine the scope and content of the test. The data were analyzed by using descriptive statistics well as inferential statistics. The results showed that the factors affecting the success and failure of farmers practicing the sufficiency economy philosophy were water resources (100%) followed by soil (74.4%), both of which were associated with the unsuccessful group. It was found that water was the main cause of success in agriculture and the ability to lead a life while following the sufficiency economy philosophy. However, there was a conflict with the non-participating group which found that funds was the main factor (91%), followed by soil (59.4%) as well as different levels of understanding among the farmers. These things affected their decision to participate in the project. The approach to drive the sufficiency economy philosophy at the Huay Sai Royal Development Study Center should be expanded with the transfer of knowledge from generations to generations, and from farmers to farmers to create sustainability and to support the farmers so that they become more successful