Abstract:
This research objectives as follows: 1) study the self-management democratic way of local
ethnic communities in the management of forest resources in the northeastern region; 2) take lessons and experience as the lesson learned from the community forest management methods of three ethnic communities namely, Phu Tai, Tai Lao and Tai Kui 3) To study the guidelines of forest resource management among ethnic communities in the Northeastern region of Thailand, based on the on selfmanagement democracy in communities. The researcher used qualitative research methodology in the three communities: 1) the Phu Tai ethnic community residing in the community forest, Kalasin
province; 2) the Tai Lao ethnic communities residing in Phu Kham Noi Community Forest, Khon Kaen Province, and 3) the Tai Kui ethnic communities residing in the Don Pu Ta Baan Aree Forest Village, Surin Province. The researcher conducted the documentation analysis and field research by participatory observation and in-depth interviewing the key informants who are involving in community forest management in each area. All the data were analyzed by using the content analysis model and compare the case studies information for providing to the conclusion of the descriptive research results.
The research findings were as follows: 1) self-management in democratic way of local ethnic communities in forest resource management in Northeastern region. There are similarities from community awareness about the problems and impacts of forest destruction. This leads to a major issue that community leaders have demanded and raised the need for conservation and to find ways to manage the forest areas based on community participation. 2) based on the lessons learned and experiences from community forest management methods used as case studies, can be summarized into
four patterns as follows: (1) protective democratic, (2) direct democracy, (3) participatory democracy, and (4) deliberate democracy. Lastly, 3) the management of forest resources among the ethnic communities in the Northeastern region are based on self-management with democratic principles in line with the two practices as follows: (1) local communities have their right to protect their community culture. (2) Community leaders must build community-based forest management processes that provide adaptability and internal flexibility to drive forward. (3) Empowering process aimed to develop self-directed, democratic, community-focused, participatory, and community-based engagement that enables members of the community to play a direct role in the workplace and as a
defense or immunity