Community forest is expected to be a tool for improving the quality of life of people living
in the forest. However, the integration of community forest with the development activities
for sustainability has not been investigated. This study analyzed the integration between
community forest and community development toward sustainability using a case
study involving Ban Donmu and Ban Chard, Ubon Ratchathani province. This qualitative
research used observation and in-depth interviews with 22 key informants consisting of 2
forest officers, 4 community leaders, 6 forest community committee, 3 non-government
organization workers, 2 scientists, and 5 forest community users. Snowball sampling
was used to select persons for interviewing, followed by content analysis and synthesis.
The results showed that the communities performed strongly in forest management, based
on community tradition and culture, and a kinship system integrated with academic
knowledge and local wisdom. A learning process through community-based research
contributed to the integration of holistic community development activities fitting to the
community's way-of-life and needs. Learning centers were established for sharing
knowledge. Grouping and participation were developed based on community democracy.
A conservation concept was implanted in youths through activities, and leaders acted as
good role models on how to live. The communities received support from outside agencies,
screened by the community forum. The Sufficiency Economy Philosophy and Buddhist
doctrines have been followed in development and lifestyle activities, resulting in changing
practices and ways of thinking to those that agreed and balanced with the social and
cultural context.