Community Rights in Water Management for Agricultural Purposes around Bueng Krachang Ngam, Sala Daeng Subdistrict, Krok Phra District, Nakhon Sawan Province

Abstract

This research aimed to: 1) examine community rights in water management for agricultural purposes around Bueng Krachang Ngam, Sala Daeng Subdistrict, Krok Phra District, Nakhon Sawan Province; 2) analyze the relationship between the principle of Saraniyadhamma and community rights in water management; and 3) propose guidelines for managing community rights in water governance based on the principle of Saraniyadhamma. The study employed a mixed-methods approach, comprising quantitative research using a questionnaire with a reliability coefficient of 0.978, distributed to water users around Bueng Krachang Ngam. The sample size of 319 respondents was determined using Yamane’s formula. The data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, including frequency, percentage, mean, standard deviation, and Pearson’s correlation coefficient. Qualitative research was conducted through in-depth interviews with 21 purposively selected key informants, using a structured interview guide and descriptive content analysis. The findings revealed that the overall level of community rights in water management for agricultural purposes around Bueng Krachang Ngam, based on the principle of Saraniyadhamma, was high, with a mean score of 4.05 (S.D. = 0.69). The level of community rights in water management based on Elinor Ostrom’s common-pool resource management framework was also high, with a mean score of 4.01 (S.D. = 0.57). Moreover, the relationship between the principle of Saraniyadhamma and community rights in water management was found to be statistically significant at the 0.01 level, showing a positive and consistent correlation (r = 0.617**). The study proposed the following guidelines for managing community rights in water governance based on the six principles of Saraniyadhamma: 1) effective water management occurs when all members are able to express their opinions equally, guided by reason and logic; 2) members express gratitude or appreciation when problems in water management are resolved or when contributions benefit the water user group; and 3) members of the water user group are made aware of the rules and the importance of proper water management.