The Buddhist Principles Integration for Promoting the Public Participation in Life Quality Development of the Elderly of Ban Hong Subdistrict Municipality in Ban Hong District, Lamphun Province

Abstract

This research aims to: 1) study the level of public participation in quality of life development for the elderly; 2) compare this participation classified by personal factors; and 3) propose guidelines for promoting public participation based on the Aparihãnidhamma for the Ban Hong Sub-district Municipality, Ban Hong District, Lamphun Province. A mixed-methods research approach was employed. The population and sample consisted of 377 eligible voters. The research instrument was a questionnaire with a reliability of 0.973. Data were analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics. Qualitative data from 10 key informants were analyzed using content analysis.

          The research results revealed that:

1. The overall level of participation of Ban Hong Subdistrict Municipality, Ban Hong District, Lamphun Province, in the quality of life development for the elderly is at a moderate level.


2. comparison of participation in the quality of life development for the elderly by Ban Hong Subdistrict Municipality, Ban Hong District, Lamphun Province, categorized by personal factors, revealed no significant differences in participation based on sex, education level, and marital status. However, age, occupation, and income showed significant differences in participation.


3. Guidelines for promoting public participation based on the Aparihãnidhamma principles of Ban Hong Sub-district Municipality, Ban Hong District, Lamphun Province, revealed the following: consistently organizing joint meetings, establishing clear communication systems, promoting knowledge exchange, fostering community collaboration, respecting the opinions of experienced individuals, providing equal opportunities for women's groups, housewives, and youth to participate, utilizing religious sites as activity spaces for the elderly, and encouraging the roles of monks and esteemed individuals as facilitators of community cooperation.