Authors : Som Nasa-arn , Vinai Veravatnanond , Boonchird Pinyoanuntapong and Koson Srisang
Abstract: The purpose of this study was to develop a model of green and happiness community for the rural villages of E-San (northeast Thailand) by using a mixed quantitative and qualitative method. The study was carried out with 20 resource persons and the samples of 72 operators in communities, 365 community leaders selected by multi-stage sampling and 360 heads of families selected by systematic sampling. The research instruments were questionnaires, interviews and focus groups. The data were analyzed by using descriptive statistics, MANOVA, with the use of SPSS for Windows. For the confirmatory factor analysis and the test of hypothesized model�s fit with the empirical data, LISREL Program version 8.30 was applied. The research results revealed that, regarding a green and happiness community in rural villages of E-San, there were 6 main factors, 22 sub-factors and 107 indicators. They comprised 14 indicators for factor 1 "good environment and natural resources, 20 indicators for factor 2, good health, 13 indicators for factor 3, strong community economy, 19 indicators for factor 4, appropriate technology, wisdom and learning, 24 indicators for factor 5, good society and culture with morality and 17 indicators for factor 6, strong community administration and management. The models of factors 1-6 for a green and happiness community fitted with the empirical data with 2 = 59.20, 155.40, 43.06, 113.01, 138.95 and 68.26, respectively (p>0.05 in all items). For other indexes, they followed the criteria with reliability value of the indicators 0.55-0.88. Regarding the second order confirmatory factor analysis, all indicators could measure the main factors of a green and happiness community. For the result from evaluating a green and happiness community in general, it was at the high level. In comparing the means of green and happiness communities in upper, middle and lower areas of Kalasin Province, they were found to be different at the 0.05 level of statistical significance. For the appropriate model and guidelines to develop a green and happiness community according to the main factors, there were 21 guidelines and 71 major activities. The results of the study, it is appropriate to bring the model into practice in order to develop green and happiness community in the rural villages.
Som Nasa-arn , Vinai Veravatnanond , Boonchird Pinyoanuntapong and Koson Srisang , 2008. Developing a Model of Green and Happiness Community for Rural Villages in Northeast Thailand. Pakistan Journal of Social Sciences, 5: 889-893.