Ti Bo Ko : Water Heritage and Local Wisdom in Water Resource Management of the Pakakayor Community, Ban Pa Kluai, Chom Thong District, Chiang Mai Province

ทีบอโกล : มรดกแห่งสายน้ำและภูมิปัญญาการจัดการทรัพยากรน้ำ ของชุมชนปกาเกอะญอ บ้านป่ากล้วย อำเภอจอมทอง จังหวัดเชียงใหม่

Abstract

This study aimed to examine patterns of community participation in the management of the muang fai (traditional weir–irrigation) system in Ban Pa Kluai Village, to analyze the role of local wisdom of the Pga K’nyau (Karen) ethnic group in supporting water resource management, and to synthesize guidelines for sustainable water management in highland areas based on community participation and local wisdom.

          A mixed-methods research approach was employed using a Sequential Explanatory Design. The quantitative phase involved a sample of 120 respondents selected through stratified random sampling. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and Pearson’s correlation coefficient. The qualitative phase consisted of in-depth interviews with community leaders, muang fai committee members, local sages, youth representatives, and water users.

          The research findings revealed that:

1. The level of community participation in the management of the muang fai system in Ban Pa Kluai Village was high, particularly in participation in weir repair activities and canal dredging. The role of local wisdom in water management was also found to be at a high level, as was the perception of the sustainability of the muang fai system. Furthermore, correlation analysis indicated that community participation was positively and significantly correlated with the role of local wisdom (r = .68, p < .01) and with perceptions of the sustainability of the muang fai system (r=.72, p<.01).
2. The guidelines for sustainable water management in highland areas comprised five key components: strengthening community participation, enhancing local wisdom, developing flexible community rules and regulations, promoting the role of younger generations, and strengthening linkages with external support networks. The evaluation of these guidelines by experts indicated that the overall quality was at the highest level, and their congruence with the community context was also at the highest level. These findings reflect that the proposed guidelines are appropriate and practically applicable in highland areas.