Abstract

This study utilized a Design-Based Research (DBR) framework to investigate the integration of cultural community identity into the basic education curriculum through the strategic promotion of soft power. The research was conducted in the Tho Tae and Tha Ngam Sub-districts of Wat Bot District, Phitsanulok Province, with three primary objectives: (1) to analyze the localized context and indigenous knowledge systems; (2) to design and develop contextually appropriate curricula grounded in cultural identity; and (3) to evaluate the pedagogical outcomes of these interventions. The participant pool (N = 461) comprised a multidisciplinary cohort of school administrators, educators, local wisdom holders, curriculum designers, and students (Grades 1–9) during the 2024 academic year. Data were elicited through a robust suite of qualitative and quantitative instruments, including semi-structured interviews, focus group discussions, curriculum suitability rubrics, and standardized achievement assessments. Quantitative analysis involved the calculation of E₁/E₂ efficiency indices, descriptive statistics (Mean and Standard Deviation), and dependent samples t-tests. Findings revealed that the palmyra palm (Borassus flabellifer) in Tho Tae Sub district functions as a primary driver of soft power within the domain of gastronomy, while Wat Senat in Tha Ngam Sub-district serves as a cornerstone of traditional and historical soft power. The developed localized curricula, “Roo Rak Tan Tanod” and “Preserving the Identity of Wat Senat,” demonstrated high operational efficiency, yielding E₁/E₂ values of 83.04/82.80 and 83.93/83.21, respectively—exceeding the 80/80 benchmark. Furthermore, student post-test achievement scores showed a statistically significant increase over pre-test scores at the .01 level. Stakeholder evaluations indicated the highest level of agreement regarding the curricula’s efficacy, suggesting that identity-based instructional models significantly enhance both academic performance and communal cultural stewardship.

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