The current social landscape is fraught with numerous risk factors, such as e-cigarettes and online threats, which impact all age groups and cause losses, especially among vulnerable groups like the elderly and at-risk groups outside the formal education system. While e-cigarettes employ aggressive marketing tactics targeting children, the general public in Thailand often possesses a low level of knowledge and understanding regarding self-protection against online threats. There are currently insufficient RFLMs available at the local level. Therefore, it is crucial to build capable personnel who can continuously and closely convey risk awareness and knowledge to target populations. The project is supported by the Thai Health Promotion Foundation (ThaiHealth) and its network partners, focused on risk factor prevention and mitigation.
Project Coordinator: Asst.Prof. Dr. Paiboon Soponsuwapap
Objectives:
The overarching goal is to establish and expand a robust and capable network of RFLMs in local areas, focusing on building Health Literacy among vulnerable and at-risk groups. The main objectives include: • Capacity Building: Creating RFLMs by providing access to comprehensive knowledge, facilitation skills, and learning design techniques specific to risk factors (e-cigarettes and online threats). • Implementation Support: Developing and supporting RFLMs to effectively drive local work, reduce problems, and mitigate impacts in their respective areas. • Behavioural Change: Empowering RFLMs to act as change leaders who foster desirable attitudes and behaviours within the community.
Program Activities:
The project has a duration of 24 months (May 16, 2025 – May 15, 2027). It focuses on developing RFLMs to work with two primary groups:
- Primary Target Group (Trainees): 120 Individuals. This group receives intensive training: • Teachers from Sub-district Learning Centres/District Learning Promotion Centres (under the Department of Learning Promotion, Ministry of Education). • Village Health Volunteers (VHV/อสม.). • Youth Village Health Volunteers (Youth VHV/ยุว อสม.).
- Secondary Target Group (Beneficiaries): 1,000 Individuals. This group benefits from the RFLMs’ activities: • Vulnerable Groups: Older people (aged 60 and above). • At-Risk Groups: Children/youth and individuals outside the formal education system. Specific Beneficiaries: The elderly in elderly schools, children and youth working with Youth VHV groups, students in non-formal learning centres, and community/family members. Project Workflow The implementation emphasises the development of knowledge and facilitation skills through four intensive operational workshops conducted across four regions (Chiang Mai, Nakhon Ratchasima, Nakhon Si Thammarat, and Chonburi).
Following the third workshop, the RFLMs (Primary Target Group) will receive support to adapt and apply prototype learning kits with the Secondary Target Group (1,000 individuals). Continuous monitoring, coaching, and learning exchange forums will be organised throughout the project to refine activity guidelines.
Expected Outcomes (Impacts):
The successful completion of this project is expected to yield the following results:
1. Network Establishment: Creation of a localised network of Risk Factor Learning Managers who continuously engage in shared learning and activity development.
2. Evaluation Mechanism: Establishment of a robust monitoring and evaluation system and mechanism capable of measuring tangible and concrete change.
3. Sustainability: Development of guidelines for sustainable network expansion and operation in the long term.
4. Policy and Advocacy: The results will be used to collect data/statistics on risky behaviours for situation analysis, leading to the development of policy proposals or community measures. It will also facilitate the development of leaders within the vulnerable and at-risk groups (Secondary Target Group) into Active Citizens and/or Health Communicators.
Date of Implementation: Oct 8-10, 2025
