Economic Self Reliance during Unrest Situation in the Deep South Thailand
Suhainong Smaho, Metta Kuning, Phattrawan Tongkumchum, Piya Kitavorn

Abstract
This study employs a cross sectional design to investigate what the Mother’s Fund activity has achieved in term of the success: repayment performance and sustainability as well as how these results were achieved. The sample was clients of the Mother’s Fund activities who were residents of the three Deep South provinces (Pattani, Yala, and Narathiwat) and 4 districts in Songkhla Province (Chana, Thepa, Nathawee, and Saba-yoi), Thailand during Phase 1 - Phase 7 (October 2008 - October 2010) with a total of 83 clients. Findings of this study show that a success rate was 56.6 percent, based on the 45 percent repayment rate and continuous business activity at 80.7 percent. Factors leading towards success were local advisor and peers. Therefore, aside from providing microcredit loan, the Mother’s Fund activity should also organize local advisor training, entrepreneurs training program, as well as training on savings and book-keeping. The results of this study would be used in further development of Mother's Fund in later phases.


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