“The principle of commons is the mutual utilization of space, or areas where individuals or people have access to the right to use space collectively. For example, commons in the rural area involve community forests, river conservation, watershed forests and care for the environment. This activates people to adopt a shared sense of belonging as well as common rights and responsibilities to protect their land and arrange a mutual agreement in using common resources. Thus, the commons principle in terms of rural or remote communities is relevant to shared utilization, protection, and maintenance. On the other hand, commons in urban areas have multiple layers because of complex and diverse social organizations. So the term ‘commons’ in the urban context has been still facing flexibility in defining a concrete meaning. Notwithstanding fluidity of the definition, the essence of commons is sharing an area where people have direct collective access and the right to utilize, self-organize, and co-operate irrespective ownership,” (Ekarin Phungpracha, 2020).
Prof. Ekarin Phungpracha illustrated that a Kang Pla Community Forest (Dansai Model) in Loey province to be a tangible example of commons-based on two processes such as trust and networking between researchers and villagers. Dansai Model applied commons concept in the commodification from some wasteland in the community to be common property for everyone to produce green agriculture and organic farming to generate more income for villagers. The crucial learned-lessen from this model resonated with the essence of commons that comprehension in the context of commons in each area is an essential factor to collaborate with villagers successfully, and the stronger commons movement becomes, the more power of villagers insist on their identities and bargaining with multistakeholder.
About Ekarin Phungpracha
Accomplishments
Researches / Creative works
- Building Capacity of Households in Agriculture Production for Food Security: Case Study of Ban Kang Pla, Dansai, Loei, 2016 – 2017
- Ethnic Group Data Writing, 2016 – 2017
- Strategic Plan for Moan Watershed Management by Social Network, 2017
- Improving capacity building of smart farmers and villages for production and marketing of Dansai Green Net Standardization by applying participatory guarantee system in Dansai district, Loei province, 2017 -2018
- “Dansai Green Net” Video Production Project, 2017 – 2018
- Integrated Farming System Approach to Sustainably Reduce Risks and Debts for Agriculturists, 2018 – 2020.
Textbook/Books/Translations and Other academic works
- From Forest to Tai Dan Kitchen. Rungsang Printing Business, 2014, 298 pages.
- Moan Watershed Management by Social Network. Rungsang Printing Business, 2559, 299 pages.
- “Ethnic Group Writing Data” Project (on behalf of Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn Anthropology Centre (Public Organization)). 2559
- Human Ecology: Wisdom and Food Security. Silpakorn Printinghouse, 2016, 148 pages.
- Strategic Plan for Moan Watershed Management by Social Network. Rungsang Printing Business, 2017, 109 pages
- Smart Farmers: Alternative Agriculture and Community-based Food Security in Dansai District, Loei Province. Rungsang Printing Business, 2017, 167 pages.
Awards and Honors
- Strategic Research for Moan Watershed Management in Dansai District, Loei Province.Outstanding Community and Area-Based Research. The Thailand Research Fund, 2018.
Academic Background
B.A. (Art History), Silpakorn University
M.A. (Anthropology), Thammasat University
Ph.D. (Environment and Resouce Studies, Mahidol University
Learn more about Associate Professor Ekarin Phungpracha, Ph.D.
