Journal of Community Development Research (Humanities and Social Sciences)

Regulations

Journal of Community Development Research (Humanities and Social Sciences) — 2025-12-18

Regulations

Application

Journal of Community Development Research (Humanities and Social Sciences) — 2025-12-18

Application

Editorial Board English

Journal of Community Development Research (Humanities and Social Sciences) — 2025-12-18

Editorial Board English

Back Cover

Journal of Community Development Research (Humanities and Social Sciences) — 2025-12-18

Back Cover

Economic Implications of Advance Care Planning and Living Will (Article 12) Implementation in Thailand: A State-of-the-Art Narrative Review

Pantitra Singkheaw — 2025-12-18

This study examines the economic implications of implementing Advance Care Planning (ACP) and Article 12 of Thailand’s National Health Act within the healthcare system. As Thailand faces an aged population and rising non-communication disease rates, understanding the economic aspects of these end-of-life care initiatives is essential for effective policymaking. Through a state-of-the-art narrative review (without a formal meta-analysis or pooled economic model) of existing research, the study describes implementation costs, including provider training, infrastructure development, and public education. It also frames potential benefits such as reduced unnecessary treatments, improved care quality, and more efficient resource utilisation. Limited available evidence suggests potential long-term cost savings, though significant implementation costs and data gaps remain. Major challenges include limited Thai-specific economic data, cultural barriers to end-of-life discussions, and the absence of standardized cost-effectiveness evaluation methods. This review’s contribution is threefold: 1) it maps the economic components of ACP and Article 12 in the Thai context (direct, non-medical, caregiver, and intangible costs), 2) it synthesises sparse Thai evidence with international insights to propose a context-appropriate evaluation framework, and 3) it identifies priority data gaps and a staged research agenda (pilot implementation with prospective costing, goal-concordant outcomes, and valuation of informal care). This review does not call for new methods or pilot trials; instead, it underscores the need to specify and routinely measure Thai-relevant variables that determine both the costs and the benefits of end-of-life care. The research emphasises balancing economic considerations with cultural sensitivity and patient autonomy, concluding with pragmatic considerations for cost-conscious implementation strategies and identifying areas for future research to better characterise economic impacts in Thailand’s healthcare system.

Front Cover

Journal of Community Development Research (Humanities and Social Sciences) — 2025-12-18

Front Cover

Editorial Board

Journal of Community Development Research (Humanities and Social Sciences) — 2025-12-18

Editorial Board

Editorial Note

Journal of Community Development Research (Humanities and Social Sciences) — 2025-12-18

Editorial Note

Content

Journal of Community Development Research (Humanities and Social Sciences) — 2025-12-18

Content

Environmental Governance at the Grassroots: Mother Earth Foundation and Ten-Step Program (TSP)Tool for Zero Waste in Context

Ronald Castillo — 2025-12-18

Solid wastes, specifically plastics, are considered a serious environmental problem that disrupts ecosystems, making it a common-pool problem for communities. Given the severity of the problem, aside from the government agencies, NGOs are active partners of local government units LGUs in managing solid waste problems. This paper discusses the case of the Mother Earth Foundation (MEF), a community-based NGO that was able to promote zero waste at the grassroots level through the implementation of a Ten-Step Program (TSP) tool.

Methods used are interviews, field observations, and analysis of secondary data. Key informants are the program implementers, and guide questions were provided to them. Field observations include waste collection, segregation, and visits to material recovery facilities. Dayrit’s (2022) “A Manual on 10-Step Program”, though secondary data within this work, functioned as the core source of information and point of analysis.

Based on MEF’s experience in implementing TSP is in promoting zero waste, in the partner communities of San Fernando, Pampanga and the island of Siquijor, Region 8, Central Visayas. Findings show that MEF communities were able to craft their zero waste policies emphasizing “no plastic policy” focusing on waste segregation, reusing, composting, and recycling. More importantly, the TSP is instrumental in institutionalizing zero waste practices in the LGU focusing on valuable waste as common-pool resource. Through sustainable implementation of the TSP, waste was properly managed, waste workers were empowered and recognized in the LGUs and diversion rate from the landfill was realized. In conclusion, the zero waste is a grassroot tool linking local government, non-government organizations, and community members in managing the common pool issue of solid waste.

A Comparative Study of Cultural Management Policies for Economic Development in Thailand and the Republic of Singapore

Kanitta Yampochai — 2025-12-18

This qualitative study conducts a comparative analysis of Thailand and Singapore in addressing “A Comparative Study of Cultural Management Policies for Economic Development in Thailand and the Republic of Singapore”, drawing on document analysis and semi-structured interviews with 12 experts. Then coded and analyzed thematically. This study fills a gap by offering a comparative analysis of Thailand and Singapore in this dimension, emphasizing lessons from cultural management policies for economic development while treating territorial size as a secondary factor.

The findings reveal that Thailand’s strengths include: 1) cultural diversity, and 2) legal frameworks supporting policy initiatives, while weaknesses include: 1) a protectionist approach, 2) policy ambiguities, 3) insufficient prioritization of cultural heritage, and 4) legislative inconsistencies. Conversely, Singapore’s strengths include: 1) policy continuity, 2) top-down governance, 3) a forward-looking cultural vision, and 4) effective management processes, while weaknesses include: 1) leadership challenges, and 2) narrow cultural vision.

Despite contextual differences, both nations exhibit similarities in policy formulation, decision-making, and governance structures. The study highlights the importance of clear policy direction and integrated governance to enhance cultural heritage management’s role in economic development. These insights offer valuable implications for policymakers in similar socio-economic contexts.

Political Study of Thailand’s Lower North (A Preliminary Review): Current Status, Focus Areas, Gaps, and Overlooked Local, Social, and Economic Power Dynamics

Watcharapol Supajakwattana — 2025-12-18

Thai political science scholarship has traditionally concentrated on democracy, national politics, and electoral dynamics, focusing predominantly on regions such as the metropolitan periphery, the Northeast, the Upper North. Conversely, the Lower North remains significantly understudied and is frequently misclassified within adjacent regions, resulting in a fragmented understanding of its distinct political landscape. Consequently, there is lack of a systematic analytical framework to comprehensively analyze political developments specific to this area.

This study systematically reviews 695 publications from 1997 to 2024, retrieved from Scopus, Sage Journals, ThaiJo, and the King Prajadhipok’s Institute database, to examine how the Lower North has been analyzed in political research. The study identifies two main objectives: 1) to map the development of political research on the Lower North over the past 27 years, and 2) to highlight key gaps and underexplored themes that constrain understanding of the region’s politics.

Findings reveal that since 2006, scholarly attention has largely concentrated on political behavior, particularly electoral patterns and voting strategies. Concurrently, research on political institutions, public administration, sociopolitical movements, and resistance groups has expanded significantly. However, foundational issues—such as economic structures, capital flows, historical influences, local power dynamics, and capitalist networks—remain notably understudied. This imbalance has produced a fragmented understanding of the region, privileging event-driven analyses over structural explanations of power and capital networks. The study contributes by proposing an agenda for future research that emphasizes structural political economy, balanced provincial representation, methodological diversity, and policy-relevant institutional analysis, positioning the Lower North as a crucial site for understanding Thailand’s evolving political landscape.

The Effects of Long-Term Mindfulness Exercises on Personal and Sustainability Values in Thailand

Pattranoot Nuanpunsirikoon — 2025-12-18

This study investigated how long-term mindfulness exercises influence personal and sustainability values in Thailand. A structured questionnaire was administered to 400 individuals who had practiced mindfulness for at least one year. The questionnaire measured mindfulness, environmental awareness, social awareness, self-esteem, narcissism, and sustainable consumption using established scales adapted from prior research. Regression and mediation analyses were conducted to test the hypothesized relationships. The results showed that long-term mindfulness had a significant direct effect on sustainability values. Social awareness and narcissism partially mediated this relationship, while self-esteem demonstrated full mediation. In contrast, environmental awareness did not significantly mediate the effect. These findings suggest that mindfulness fosters sustainability values through enhanced social awareness, improved self-esteem, and reduced narcissism. Theoretically, this study contributes to mindfulness and sustainability research by presenting a multi-pathway model in the Thai context. Practically, the results highlight the potential of mindfulness-based interventions to promote ethical consumption, leadership development, and community well-being. Limitations include the cross-sectional design, the use of convenience sampling, and relatively low reliability for some measures. Future studies should apply longitudinal or cross-cultural designs to confirm the generalizability of these findings.

Study of Local Materials and Agricultural Waste to Develop Souvenir Products by Integrating Technology with Cultural to Support to the Aging Society: Khuan Kalong District, Satun Province

Surapa Wongsuwan — 2025-12-18

This research studies local materials and agricultural waste to develop cultural souvenir products in line with the circular economy and supports the development of cultural souvenir products from local materials that reflect cultural narratives to promote social innovation for the aging society in Khuan Kalong District, Satun Province. This Participatory Action Research (PAR) study included three stages. The first involved interviews with five community members and local academics to identify design directions and material characteristics. After completing design-specific surveys, thirty designers, scholars, design experts, and marketers created prototypes of memorial products. Finally, 385 visitors, specialists, and designers aged 20–60 (near retirement) completed satisfaction rating surveys after product design. Results were summarized by percentage, mean, and standard deviation.

Findings revealed that cultural gifts made from oil palm, rubber, and banana sheaths, together with local batik fabric patterns inspired by the Nora performance and Kalong flower motif, represented the charm and cultural identity of Khuan Kalong community. Processed agricultural waste materials such as oil-palm fronds, rubber leaves, palm fruit bunches, banana sheaths, and batik fabric prototypes (N = 30) scored 4.77 (SD = 0.50) in the prototype development evaluation, indicating a very high level of satisfaction. A large-scale satisfaction test (N = 385) showed a mean score of 4.40 (SD = 0.81), also at a high level. The developed products were practical, aesthetically pleasing, and suitable for elderly participation in production and sales.

This initiative supports the network of local creative industries, motivating innovation and enhancing intellectual capital. It also aligns with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly Goal 12: Responsible Consumption and Production, by encouraging sustainable design, resource efficiency, and circular economy practices within aging communities.

Tourism Micro-Cluster Model for Sustainable Community Development: A Case Study of Kubua Subdistrict, Ratchaburi Province

Parncheewa Pawangkarat — 2025-12-18

The Kubua community in Ratchaburi, Thailand, is a tourism-based village currently facing a decline in visitors as the community development drives with small group of local leaders, lacks infrastructure development and has little effort to create value-added to products. This study aimed to assess the village’s situation and develop a tourism micro-cluster model to revitalize the local economy. Data were collected from both primary and secondary sources and analyzed using the Resource-Based View (RBV), PESTELI, SWOT, and TOWS frameworks. This study utilized a qualitative approach, proceeding semi-structure interviews with 33 key informants based on purposive sampling. The main key informants were local entrepreneurs, community leaders, civil servants and government officials from the Kubua Subdistrict Administrative Organization. Data were collected using semi-structured interviews, focus group discussions, participatory observation, and secondary sources. The findings revealed that the model comprises seven integrated local businesses, centered around homestay as the primary income-generating activity. These main businesses are complemented by other key activities including: storytelling cultural tour, Kubua textile weaving workshops, wooden product workshops, cooking class, art class and organic farming tour, which is recommended for use in village development planning. Successful implementation will require support from local government, particularly in providing technical assistance in areas such as training, marketing, and financial management.

Cultural Identity Through Symbolism: The Role of Provincial Seals in Thai City Branding and Regional Development

Chawaroj Chawanawech — 2025-12-18

This research examines Thailand’s provincial seals as symbolic tools of local identity construction and civic representation within the broader framework of city branding and regional development. The objective of this research is to investigate how these official symbols contribute to the construction of brand identity within the Thai urban context. While existing literature on city branding largely focuses on contemporary visual strategies in Western contexts, this study highlights the role of historically rooted symbols specifically, provincial seals as visual expressions of place identity in Thailand. Originally introduced during a period of state-led modernization in the mid-20^th century, these seals remain in active use and are deeply embedded in local cultural narratives. This study employed a qualitative research design. Data were collected using a structured observation form from all 76 provinces of Thailand and one special administrative region (Bangkok). The collected data were analyzed through content analysis focusing on visual components to identify and interpret the characteristics and symbolic meanings within the observed materials. The result categorizes symbolic elements into two primary identity types: tangible (e.g., architecture, landscapes, animals, agriculture) and intangible (e.g., myths, beliefs, local names, handicrafts). Findings reveal that most seals contain hybrid identity structures, combining two to three symbolic elements that reflect a region’s physical characteristics and intangible cultural heritage. The most frequently represented categories include historical and mythological themes, followed by religious architecture and geographic landmarks. Regional analysis shows diverse patterns of symbolic emphasis, corresponding to local traditions and socio-cultural environments. These visual narratives reinforce collective memory, local pride, and cultural continuity. The study argues that provincial seals function as more than administrative insignias; they serve as cultural artifacts that contribute to community identity, visual storytelling, and decentralized development. This research contributes to the field of community development by demonstrating how traditional symbols can inform contemporary city branding strategies rooted in cultural authenticity and local engagement.