A Study of the Process and Results of Empowerment in Three Pilot Communities of the Baan Mun Kong Project Bangkok Metropolis

Abstract

          The objectives of this research are to study about the process and results of community empowerment in Baan Mun Kong Community 3 pilot programmes and to investigate supporting factors and obstacles found in three pilot programmes, namely Baan Mun Kong Chareonchainimitmai project, Baan Mun Kong Sangsunputtana project, and Baan Mun Kong Raumsammukkee project. The methodology utilized includes semi-structured interview and participatory observation.

          The results of the study revealed that all three communities had different results of empowerment, although government had empowerd in the similar process. Baan Mun Kong Chareonchainimitmai project had comparatively the highest degree of community's power. The second was Baam Mun Kong Raumsamukkee project, whereas Baan Mun Kong Sangsunpattana project had comparatively the lowest degree. The factors affecting the community's power were community characteristics, patterns of housing area, transportation, culture, leader, and types of the community's land ownership. It was also found that the obstacles to community's power include neighboring community, internal politics in the community and conflict of national interest group.