Karen Youths Network in Ka Boe Din Village: Social Capital for Reduction of Conflict stemmed from the Coal Mine Project at Omkoi District, Chiang Mai Province
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Abstract
The research aimed to examine the new character and understand Karen youth network as social capital for reduction of the conflict stemmed from the coal mine project through the social capital concept of Robert D. Putnam. The data was collected from March to June 2022 in Ka Boe Din village, Omkoi district, Chiang Mai province. The data collection involved a survey of 75 households whose member were 18-65 years old, and an in-depth interview with six case studies. The study result indicated that after the coal mine project was launched in the village, the Karen youth network has become social capital to resist this project and reduced conflict in the community. Through civil society organizations (CSOs) support, Karen youths have grouped as a strong social network. They have created a close relationship and played an important role in online public communication. The Facebook fan page, which was created by Karen youths, has been effectively utilized to present Karen’s wisdom and mode of production, resist the coal mine project, and reduce conflict stemmed from the coal mine project establishment. The Facebook fan page also serves as a platform to broadcast other ethnic groups’ ways of life.
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