How to Measure Self-Sufficient Economy, A New Development's Concept After the Economic Crisis in Thailand

Abstract

This concept encourages self-reliance or self-sufficient among the rural communities in Thailand. The purpose of this study is to explore 33 factors or indices determining the level of Self-sufficient Economy. The 33 factors can be categorized into three dimensions: participation, development, and efficiency. Calculation of the index is performed through both weighted and unweighted methods. Validation of the Index was then explored by comparing or benchmarking with qualitative data of each community at all level of the selfsufficient economy. It was found that both highest-index and lowest-index communities are corresponding to each other, which means that the different level of index can classify the level of each self-sufficient community. The focal issue of this study is that the community must explore the real need, in the sense of the self-sufficient concept, at all self-sufficient levels enhances its potential and immunity to social and economic crises.