Creating an Ecosystem of Support for the Unhoused in Rangsit City Municipality

The Problem
Assistant Professor Dr. Kedkun Srakawee of the Puey Ungphakorn School of Development Studies (PSDS), Thammasat University (TU), identified a pressing issue: the growing number of unhoused people in Rangsit City Municipality, Pathum Thani Province. This issue has been escalating since 2019, fueled by the destabilizing effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, which exacerbated social inequalities and strained existing support systems. Particularly vulnerable are day laborers, the elderly, people with disabilities, and those in precarious housing, such as rented rooms. The question Dr. Kedkun posed was clear: How could her courses equip students to address this urgent issue in meaningful and sustainable ways?

The Opportunity
Dr. Kedkun recognized that her courses, Psychology for Social Development and Psychology for Volunteer Work, provided a unique platform to integrate academic principles with practical action. These courses emphasized individual and group psychology, community engagement, and the behavioral foundations of volunteerism. By leveraging the EPIC Model, she transformed these classes into dynamic, community-focused initiatives. Students were tasked not only with understanding homelessness but also with engaging directly with the “ecosystem of social work” in Rangsit City—working alongside government agencies, nonprofits, and the unhoused themselves to co-develop innovative, data-driven solutions.

The Partnership
Students ventured into neighborhoods around the university, including Rangsit Market and Saphan Daeng Market, partnering with nonprofits such as Baan Poonsuk Shelter and the National Housing Authority (NHA), as well as local municipalities like Rangsit City and Tha Khlong Town. These collaborations were pivotal, enabling students to learn from and contribute to ongoing efforts. Immersive activities such as “Walking and Learning” allowed students to engage with unhoused individuals directly, challenging preconceptions and deepening their understanding of the systemic barriers these individuals face.

The initiative also engaged municipal leaders who facilitated student access to valuable insights and resources. Municipal leaders, like the Director of the Social Welfare Division at Rangsit Municipality, praised the partnership as a valuable alliance, highlighting the students’ role in enhancing livability through creative solutions.

Projects and Impact
From this collaboration, five key projects emerged, including the Volunteer Friendship Project, which addressed mental health challenges and loneliness among the unhoused. Workshops were co-designed with the Potential Development Center in Baan Poonsuk and TU’s Folk Song and Band Clubs to foster emotional well-being and strengthen social bonds. Another project focused on empowering the unhoused through entrepreneurship, training individuals to produce and market locally-made herbal inhalers. This project leveraged TU’s Development College website for product promotion, effectively bridging local innovation with broader market access.

These efforts yielded tangible outcomes: care packages provided immediate relief, workshops built confidence, and entrepreneurial initiatives paved pathways toward reintegration into society. Students also created multimedia content to raise community awareness, helping to shift stereotypes and inspire greater public understanding.

Shifting Perceptions
Dr. Kedkun notes that many students began the project with misconceptions about homelessness, viewing unhoused individuals as intimidating or fundamentally different. Through their engagement, these stereotypes were dismantled. One student reflected, “At first, I was afraid of homeless people, but after talking to them, I thought they were just like everyone else.” This shift in perception underscores the transformative potential of combining academic learning with community engagement.

Institutional and Broader Impacts
The collaboration extended beyond Rangsit City to involve other municipalities in Pathum Thani Province, including Tha Khlong Town Municipality. Municipal staff recognized the value of student contributions and expressed interest in deeper partnerships, such as joining TU’s Citizen School Project to enhance their understanding of volunteerism and support for vulnerable groups. The Head of the Social Welfare Division for Tha Khlong Municipality shared, “It was good to exchange different perspectives and learn at the same time; I can learn from a wider perspective and from a variety of friends.”

The Result
Through this initiative, students honed their fieldwork and research skills, gained experience in community engagement, and learned how to collaborate effectively with government officials and nonprofit organizations. The partnership’s tangible outcomes included providing care packages, fostering emotional connections, and supporting career development among the unhoused. Equally important were the indirect benefits, such as raising awareness of homelessness in the broader community and encouraging more inclusive policymaking.

“Thank you, EPIC-N, for making this project a reality, raising awareness of social issues among students, and creating a network of social work between the university classroom and local municipal organizations in the area,” Dr. Kedkun remarked.

Looking Ahead
Dr. Kedkun plans to sustain and expand the initiative by incorporating more municipalities and addressing other vulnerable populations, such as children and the elderly. These efforts align with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 4 (Quality Education) by fostering inclusive and equitable education, and SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities) by promoting stronger partnerships between educational institutions and local governments to create more inclusive and resilient communities. Additionally, the project supports SDG 10 (Reduced Inequalities) by addressing the needs of vulnerable populations through targeted social work and collaboration.

With ongoing support from EPIC-N and additional funding, Dr. Kedkun remains committed to building a stronger network between academic institutions and local governments, ensuring that the work continues to impact the lives of unhoused individuals and inspire a new generation of changemakers.

Partnership Contact Information

Puey Ungphakorn School of Development Studies
Thammasat University
Assistant Professor Dr. Kedkun Srakawee

kedkun.s@psds.tu.ac.th

Written by: Jonathan Kroeze and Jenn Sauer
Edited by: Kay Phanthuwongpakde