Abstract
Societal organization and development on tambol civil society : case study in Tombol Muang Jung, Nan province This is a qualitative study intended to examine the origins, development, role and potential of various government and non-government groups in Tambon Muang Jung, Ging Amphoe Pupieng that carry out work in the manner of civil societies. In-depth interviews were carried out with leaders, core individuals and members of 22 out of 48 groups and organizations in Tambon Muang Jung through the use of questionnaires that were later analyzed, synthesized and summarised. The study found that Tambon Muang Jung originated from two villages that subsequently expanded to the present number of ten. Groups and organizations arose naturally and through establishment by the government. There are now 48 groups in 14 categories, many of which are members of the Hug Muang Nan Network. Many of the leaders, core individuals and members of the groups and organizations have been elected to the Tambol Administration Organization (TAO). In the past it had suffered from the effects of encroachment and destruction of the forest for subsistence farming and then through promotion of the cultivation of cash crops and the increased immigration into the tambon. This has led to degradation of the forests, the soil, the aquatic ecosystem and aquatic life. Encroachment into the forest has increased along with an opening up to the wave of development from the outside. This has changed the quality of the community in the tambon and the balance between people and tha nature until many problems have arisen. The aforementioned problems have given rise to a large number of smart, honest, dedicated and committed leaders, and many groups and organizations that have spread to every village in the tambol. The groups have also networked with non-government organization outside the Tambon. They have been able to solve their problems and those of the their communities and bring about a recovery from the conditions brough about by agricultural practices and debt and to survive the crisis. There have arisen for example 6 community forests covering an area of more than 17,500 rai, 7 fish conservation zones, which have led to a dramatic increase in the numbers and species of fish in the rivers, 2 sustainable agriculture groups, 6 community savings organizations, 5 youth groups, 2 "mueang fai" community water supply management groups, 10 housewife groups, 2 cremation fund groups, 3 occupational groups, 10 public health volunteer groups and 10 elderly groups, which together have been able to solve the problems, such as those of drug abuse, effectively.
