Social Capital: Means of Social Safety Net and Social Protection in Thai Communities

Abstract

This article aims to explain the relationship between social capital and the strength of sufficiency economy communities. The studied areas (communities) are Bann Rang E-Meay and Bann Saradin in Nakhon Pathom province. The researcher studied social capital in twelve community organizations at Bann Rang E-Meay and six community organizations at Bann Saradin. The results of this study are 1) the community organizations in both communities can be categorized into two groups which are established by the government and by the people's participation (natural group); 2) social capital is the most important foundation to strengthen the communities; 3) social capital is related to the way of sufficiency economy's life; and 4) social capital functions as means of social safety net and social protection in the communities.