Abstract:
The purpose of this study was to examine a level of community strength of village models for Sufficiency Economy, located in Amphoe Koh Chan, Chon Buri Province. Also, this study attempted to investigate factors contributing to community strength of village model for Sufficiency Economy. The population of this study was 18,787 people whose names were registered in 18 village models for Sufficiency Economy. The subjects participating in this study were 392 people. The instrument used to collect the data was a questionnaire. The statistical tests employed to analyze the collected data included frequency, percentage, standard deviation, and multiple regression with a stepwise method. The results of this study revealed that the level of community strength of village models for Sufficiency Economy, located in Amphoe Koh Chan, Chon Buri Province was found at a very high level. Also, the subjects rated the factor in relation to community leaders affecting the community strength with the highest means score, followed by the factors relating to local wisdom and community culture, process for community management, and support from both public and private sectors, respectively. In addition, it was shown that the factors in relation to the support from public and private sectors (Beta = 0.338**), the process for community management (Beta = 0.184**), public participation (Beta = 0.177**), and natural resources and environment (Beta = 0.140**) contributed statistically and positively to the community strength at a significant level of .01. Specifically, the factor relating to the support from public and private sectors was accounted for the community strength at the highest level. Also, these four factors were predictive of the community strength at 50.80 % (R2 = .508). Finally, the factors in relation to community leaders, local wisdom and community culture had no effect on the strength of the communities.