Abstract:
The objectives of this research were to 1) study the factors of sustainable community strength in lower northeastern provinces, 2) study the administrative factors of sub-district headmen and village headmen affecting the sustainable community strength in lower northeastern provinces and 3) propose an administrative strategy model for the sub-district headmen and village headmen to improve sustainable community strength in lower northeastern provinces. This study implied mixed methods research with both quantitative and qualitative approaches. The quantitative research was conducted by studying a sample of 400 people residing in the lower northeastern provinces selected by multi-stage random sampling. The sample size was calculated using Taro Yamanes formula. The data were collected through questionnaires and were analyzed by statistics consisting of mean, standard deviation, and stepwise regression analysis. The quantitative research was conducted through in-depth interviews of 25 key informants consisting of 2 provincial governors, 2 deputy provincial governors, 2 district chiefs, 5 deputy district chiefs, 2 chiefs of permanent officials, 2 chiefs of permanent officials, 1 sub-district municipality mayor, 2 chiefs of sub-district administrative organizations, 4 sub-district headmen, and 3 village headmen in the lower northeastern provinces, selected by purposive sampling. The data were analyzed by content analysis and interpretation.
The research results revealed that:
1) The administrative factors of sustainable community strength in lower northeastern provinces were, overall, at a high level ( = 4.17, S.D. = 0.61). When considering each aspect individually, it was found that the aspect of being self- reliant was the a highest ( = 4.23, S.D. = 0.64), followed by the aspect of having immunity ( = 4.17, S.D. = 0.66), the aspect of quality of life ( = 4.13, S.D. = 0.72), and the aspect of sustainable resource preservation ( = 4.13, S.D. = 0.71), respectively. The aspect of being self- reliant was at the highest as the people thought that their social stability depended on their own efforts and that they should get state support only when necessary. The aspect of sustainable resource preservation was at the lowest as the people did not realize the importance of resource preservation as they were not yet affected by it.
2) The administrative factors of the sub-district headmen and village headmen affecting sustainable community strength in the lower northeastern provinces included 8 principal variables used in the prediction equation, ranked from the highest to the lowest they were: pollution elimination (β = 0.22), followed by social heritage preservation for living (β = 0.18), providing education to people (β = 0.10), the law (β = 0.10), the national forest deforestation protection (β = 0.09), water management for agriculture (β = 0.09), living according to the Sufficiency Economy Philosophy (β = 0.07) and preservation of traditions (β = 0.07). These eight variables explained 77.90 percent (R2 = 0.779) of the variation of the sustainable community strength in the lower northeastern provinces at a statistical level of 0.05. The results of qualitative research revealed the variable of proving the education to the people was the important fundamental measure for other future efficient development. Moreover, it was found that the living complied with the principles of Sufficiency Economy Philosophy was the most important measure as it could really help creating their social immunity.
3) The proposed administrative strategy model for the sub-district headmen and village headmen to help them improve sustainable community strength in lower northeastern provinces consisted of 4 administrative strategies they were (1) the aspect of being self- reliant community creation by being self-reliant having their own career potential reduce unnecessary expenses, increasing more income and getting state support only when necessary maintaining tradition and social helitage for their laving, (2) the aspect of living according to the Sufficiency Economy Philosophy Principle by applying the principles of His Majesty the King at all levels by having worthy living reasonable performing and social immuty promotion, surviving more knowledges and having merit, (3) the aspect of sustainable resource preservation by enhancing the pollution protection deforestation protection by creating community rules, establishing a community committee for deforestation prevention and improving, the agricultural water management by creating appropriate regulations for water consumption, forming an administrative committee and developing the water resources and maintaining. creating the awareness concerning environment preservation, and including maintenance of local wisdom. (4) the aspect of education developing by enhancing learning awareness to the people and providing career knowledge for the people, creating laws complying habit to the people and enhancing the proper disciplines.