Pixel Krungkaow: Mechanism for Social Empowerment to Develop a Happy Multicultural City

Abstract

The objectives of this research article were 1) to study lessons learned from the model city of happiness in multicultural areas in Mae Hong Son and Trang provinces; 2) to develop strengthening the power of public sector networks to drive a multicultural city of happiness in Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya Province ;and 3) to present a mechanism for strengthening the power of public sector networks to drive a multicultural city of happiness in Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya Province. This was a participatory action research. The study area for lessons learned was Mae Hong Son Province and Trang Province. The key informants were 20 representatives of government agencies, the private sector, community leaders, and citizens. The key informants participating in the action research project were a group of 20 volunteer citizen leaders and networks in 10 sub-districts of Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya District, Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya Province. The research tools used included focus groups, organizing workshop activities, lessons learned using AAR techniques, and implementing participatory project activities. Data were analyzed using content analysis. The results of the research found that 1) the components of a happy multicultural city consisted of 1.1) social capital and cultural capital, 1.2) community leaders and religious leaders, 1.3) participation of people in the community, and 1.4) being a city of happiness; 2) development and empowerment of public sector networks to drive a multicultural city of happiness in Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya Province included 4 phases: 2.1) analysis of the context of happiness perception in Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya Province, 2.2) operations to develop and strengthen volunteer leaders to create participatory networks, 2.3) practice driving the plan towards implementation of creative activities by strengthening the network, 2.4) review work and plan to join the network to expand areas of happiness, and 3) mechanisms for strengthening the power of the public sector network to driving the multicultural city of happiness in Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya Province consisted of 5 important principles: 3.1) the power of joining together as a group of volunteer leaders, 3.2) the power of learning together for change, 3.3) the power of joining together to create happiness in the community, 3.4) the power of participating in communication and monitoring to expand the network, and 3.5) the power of friends based on the idea of using research for community development. Research knowledge was "PAR SUK" model: building on the power of volunteer leaders to create participation in a multicultural city of happiness.”