A qualitative research, the study was carried out at Ban Maehair Tai Moo 9, Tambon
Panghinfon, Maechaem District, Chiang Mai, a Pakayaw community. The community has managed to
become a drug-free haven without support from outside organizations. The study has two major aims.
On one hand, it means to explore factors contributing to the successful campaign against drug abuse.
On the other, the model shall be developed to consider if its replication can be made to strengthen
other communities as far as efforts to combat drug problems are concerned in light of the social and
cultural aspects.
The study’s conceptual framework depends on the segregative method and the Buddhist
Law of Dependant Origination (Idappaccaya). The method has been used to guide the attempts to
come to terms with conditions in the community of Ban Maehair Tai to delve deeper into the
structures and how each element works relatively to each other. Five groups are the focus of the
study including community leaders from election (four in each group), natural leaders (four in each
group), village members including either the husband or wife, or any family member who fills out the
survey form, fraternity group (six persons) and individuals from outside working in the community of
Maehair Tai (a couple of them).
Two methods were used in the study including (1) the literary review related to Ban Maehair
Tai based on materials provided by relevant agencies, and (2) field survey. The researcher spent
three months to live in the community, conducted the community bioregional mapping, and carried out
basic household surveys, individual interview and focus group interview. Both non-participatory and
participatory observation methods have been used as well as formal/informal interview and note
taking.
It was found from the study that four major factors have contributed to the successful combat
against drugs in the community of Ban Maehair Tai, Moo 9, Tambon Panghinfon, Maechaem District,
Chiang Mai including the following (in order of significance);
1. Religious factor: Religious leaders, the local diocese, and the Church of Christ in
Thailand (CCT) have played significant roles in garnering faith of the villagers in God making them
adhere to good deeds as well as steering away from illicit drugs. 2. Social factors: This constitutes basically family network and kinships. The structure helps
to nurture the ground for morality and virtuous deeds and to training people on vocational skills as
well as to set example for the young generation to follow.
3. Political factors: The Village Committee, religious leaders and self-sufficiency savings
group have been the major impetus for mobilizing various activities in the village. Their roles can be
described in two major ways. Administratively, the Village Committee helps to oversee orderliness
and peace in the community through the enforcement of regulations and division of zones for the
involvement of local villagers. The Village Committee, religious leaders and the diocese and the selfsufficiency
savings group help collectively with the village governance.
4. Educational factors: The Ban Maehair Tai School, Maefahluang Mountain People
Learning Center and Ban Maehair Tai Village Health Post are instrumental in educating local students
and pregnant women about drug abuse and general health. They help to ensure that local students
stay away from illicit drug use.
The religious, social, political and educational actors have workers together in harmony to
make it possible for Ban Maehair Tai, Ban Sedosa and Ban Bloday to become drug-free communities
without support from outside organizations.