The role of community leaders in supporting the reduction of community financial problems through community debt management of Baan Samka Community,Maetha District, Lampang Province.

Abstract

The purpose of this paper aimed to (1) study the causes of debt of Baan Samka community members (2) to study the role of community leaders in supporting better quality of life through debt management. It was a qualitative research that employed the interview method. The 50 respondents were representatives of all 207 household members of Baan Samka community. The data obtained from the interview form were analyzed with descriptive statistics.

Results indicated that 1) causes of members’ debt of Baan Samka community were caused by two main factors as followed: (1) Incomes from main occupation which were farming and plantation incurred uncertain earnings were affected by the climate, and (2) consumption behaviors were changed by modern trends or social changes that caused insufficient revenue for expenditure. This caused community members of Baan Samka had to borrow or loan a sum of money from non-formal funding sources which led to the family debt. And 2)The reduction in financial problems faced by community members is being addressed by participatory meetings. Community leaders are driven by community leaders and community members to analyze debt issues to find solutions to problems with family members. It could be concluded that (1) doing the home accounting management for revenue and expenditure to reduce unnecessary expenses, and if there was money left, they would deposit their savings accounts. (2)  raising the extra career group for making more money or benefits after harvesting, eventually supporting better quality of life, having no more debt, and being happy for sufficiency economy lifestyle.