The convergence of social entrepreneurship and sustainable development has garnered significant interest, especially in low-income regions with urgent environmental and social challenges. Social enterprises can recognize possibilities to create value for the environment and society and can create creative business models - giving locals new employment options, not only helps address urgent social and environmental challenges but also promotes economic growth and income generation, cultural and tradition conservation. Through a case analysis of the Thai Berng village in the Lopburi Province of Thailand, which has been socially and environmentally affected by the Pa Sak Jolasid Dam mega irrigation project, this research enhances our understanding of social enterprises functioning in the socio-environmental changing context. The objectives of study are to (1) investigate how social enterprises respond during economic crises by applying the concepts of community resilience and community capital; (2) emphasize that social enterprises in Thailand serve as prime examples of using self-governance to address market failures. Additionally, it highlights the crucial role that the community culture and legacy of social entrepreneurs play in fostering transformative resilience. The findings suggest that social enterprises act as novel rural actors, fostering innovation within communities, preserving cultural roots, leveraging traditional knowledge and values, enhancing economic security, and building community resilience to socio-environmental changes.