Social Capital and Strengthening of Klong Arang Community, Sakeaw Province, Thailand

This research purposes to study social capital of Klong Arang Community, and the factors that help strengthening Ban Klong Arang, Moo 16, Ban Gang Sub-district, Muang Sakeaw District, Sakeaw Province. It was conducted by using the qualitative research method which involves the collection of observation, in-depth interview from 15 informants who are related to Klong Arang Community, analyzing of the contents, and finally, synthesizing them to fulfill the objectives of the research. The result shows that Kong Arang Community comprise of the following kinds of social capital: 1) human capital, namely the headman of Ban Klong Arang, and the community committee, who are the important driving force in developing the community, 2) natural resources capital, namely natural forest and the community’s forest, 3) knowledge and cultural capital, namely knowledge on herbal medication, and important traditions and 4) institutional capital, namely the groups that are important to the community. The factors that cause the community to have strength are: (1) the community leaders being strong and knowledgeable, (2) the people in the community having the kinship-like relationship, respecting and caring for one another, (3) people in the community participating with the community, (4) management of the community in a compromising way, and giving opportunities to the people in the community to participate with the community, and (5) imposing rules for co-living within the community. These factors are important in making social capital valuable to the community, as well as able to strengthen Klong Arang Community.