Abstract:
The objectives of this research were to (1) analyze community context and situation related to area development in Trat Special Economic Development Zone (Trat SEZ) ; (2) analyze community participatory process in area development planning in Trat SEZ ; and (3) propose the guidelines for promoting community participatory process in area development planning in Trat SEZ. The key informants were actors from local public, private, academic, and civil society sector. Data were collected using documentary research, in-depth interviewing, focus group discussion, and observation, which were analyzed using comparative data from community participatory research, and interpreted to create inductive conclusions. The research finding were (1) community context and situation were rules, resources, conjuncturally-specific knowledge, and general-dispositions (habitus) ; (2) participatory process were preparing people, studying the nature of people, analyzing the need and developing the knowledge of people, and changing the social structure to support the needs of people ; and (3) participatory process reflected both old and new movements. New social movements should be promoted so as to enhance the knowledge of people on the basis of general-dispositions. However, civil society actors should act as "linkage" between people and other sectors to prevent the area from development risks.