The formulation of the Special Economic Zone Development Plan has an important objective to spread prosperity into the region by taking advantage of the ASEAN Community in order to reduce income disparity, improve people's quality of life and strengthen security in border areas, including increase competitiveness and linkage with neighboring countries, Nong Khai Province, Thailand was one area that was designated as a border special economic development zone Due to its geographic location of advantage, potential and readiness, and it has an area adjacent to the Vientiane Capital, the capital of the Lao People's Democratic Republic (Lao PDR) which landing the People's Republic of China, Therefore, this research were 1) to explore the potential conditions and needs for community potential development in the special economic zone; 2) to analyze the factors influencing the development of community potential in promoting the development of the special economic zone,3) to analyze the potential of the community that can promote the development of special economic zones , and 4) to study community development models to promote the development of special economic zones. This research was held at the Thai border area, NongKhai province. The study was divided into 3 phases by using mixed methods research comprising both qualitative research and quantitative research methods. The sample group consisted of 483 representatives of the community, 12 key informants, and 12 experts participating in the focus group discussion. The research instruments were questionnaires, interviews, and group discussion. The data were analyzed by using descriptive statistics namely Frequency Distribution, Percentage, Mean and Standard Deviation including Inferential Statistics Analysis comprising Pearson, Correlation Coefficient, and Multiple Linear Regression Analysis.The research result showed that
1. General potential of the community in the special economic zone,was overall at the highest level in two aspects: community structure and community leaders.The management aspect was at a high level in two areas, namely the economy and the occupational groups in the community. The infrastructure was at the medium level in the area of the traditions, culture, and tourist attractions. The low level was the area of social and social organization. The people in the area need to develop the capacity of the community to support the special economic zone was overall at a high level ( X =3.96)
2. Factors influencing community potential development in promoting the developmentfound that 6 factorswere Policies awareness and access to information; Infrastructure in the community; Support from government agencies; Management within the community and Economic resources in the community and professional skills of people in the community with statistical significance at the 0.1 level.
3. The community potential that can promote the developmentfound that the community has the potential of professional skills in the community to support the development of the special economic zone at a high level, has the potential to prepare the community to support the development of special economic zones at a moderate level and has the potential for community businesses/products to support the development of special economic zones at a low level. The community has the potential to support the development of the special economic zone according to 6 all analytical factors.
4. 6 community potential development models to promote the development, consisting of 1) 6 model ofmanagement in the community development; 2) 7 models of economic resource development in the community; 3) 5 models ofoccupational skills development of people in the community; 4) 4 models of infrastructure developmentin the community; 5) 6 models of support from six government organizations development, and 6) 7 models of policies awareness and access to information development.
Key words: Development, Community Potential, Special Economic Zone.
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