Rural Villagers’ Quality of Life Improvement by Economic Self-Reliance Practices and Trust in the Philosophy of Sufficiency Economy

Abstract

Abstract:The concept of economic self-reliance, widely known by Thai people as the philosophy of sufficiency economy, has been widely promoted in rural Thai societies. By practicing this philosophy, it is expected that the citizens' quality of life and local environments could be sustainably improved. This study aims to explore the contribution of the community practices of the sufficiency economy philosophy to rural villagers' quality of life improvement, and to investigate potential factors that determine the trust of villagers in the philosophy. With the purpose to propose strategies which could enhance trust and promote villagers' practices of the philosophy, the study investigated influences of three relevant factors on trust towards the philosophy. Those factors included factors related to cognitive-based trust, factors related to emotional-based trust, and factors related to demographic characteristics. Questionnaire surveys and in-depth interviews with community leaders and local villagers were conducted in the Ban Jamrung community, in Thailand's Rayong Province. The results of the statistical analysis revealed that the residents who applied the sufficiency economy philosophy in their daily lives experienced a relatively better quality of life. Additionally, it was found that trust in the philosophy could be predicted more by rational factors than by emotional factors. These findings could be utilized to develop strategies to maintain and enhance the trust of the people in the philosophy of sufficiency economy.

Impact of Application of Sufficiency Economy Philosophy on the Well‐Being of Thai Population: A Systematic Review and Meta‐Analysis of Relevant Studies

“…All studies in this group applied Likert type scales (4-5 points) to measure the well-being of the study population. Piyapong and Chaweewan (2016) found the practice of SEP principles improved the quality of life, the social and environmental conditions of rural people as measured by a trust score. Similarly, Phukamchanoad (2014) found the sufficiency mind-set improved the economic (income, expenses, savings) and social (community living, conservation, altruism) activities of the urban people.…”

“…The authors found four records under this category but dropped one from the analysis which was conducted in Lao-PDR and Timor Leste (Shone, 2014). The following studies were reviewed (Phukamchanoad, 2014;Piyapong & Chaweewan, 2016;Yipyintum, 2014). The participants of these three selected studies were adults from Bangkok Metropolitan area (Phukamchanoad, 2014), Rayong Province (Piyapong & Chaweewan, 2016), and Saraburi Province (Yipyintum, 2014).…”

“…The participants of these three selected studies were adults from Bangkok Metropolitan area (Phukamchanoad, 2014), Rayong Province (Piyapong & Chaweewan, 2016), and Saraburi Province (Yipyintum, 2014). The application of SEP principles among rural community members was observed to see if they have led to improvement of quality of life of the people (Piyapong & Chaweewan, 2016); the practice of sufficiency thinking for socioeconomic development (Phukamchanoad, 2014) and the adoption of SEP guidelines among employees to improve the quality of their working lives (Yipyintum, 2014). Two studies applied crosssectional design (Phukamchanoad, 2014;Piyapong & Chaweewan, 2016) while one study used before-after design (Yipyintum, 2014).…”

“…The application of SEP principles among rural community members was observed to see if they have led to improvement of quality of life of the people (Piyapong & Chaweewan, 2016); the practice of sufficiency thinking for socioeconomic development (Phukamchanoad, 2014) and the adoption of SEP guidelines among employees to improve the quality of their working lives (Yipyintum, 2014). Two studies applied crosssectional design (Phukamchanoad, 2014;Piyapong & Chaweewan, 2016) while one study used before-after design (Yipyintum, 2014). All studies in this group applied Likert type scales (4-5 points) to measure the well-being of the study population.…”

Between the Social and Economic Dimensions of Sustainability in Rural Areas—In Search of Farmers’ Quality of Life

“…The quality of life of inhabitants is an important indicator of rural economic development [99][100][101]. Taking into account that in many countries, farmers are the main social and professional group of village inhabitants, it can be assumed that their QoL determines the general picture of rural areas.…”