THE ROLE OF SANTI ASOKE IN SOCIAL MOVEMENT

Abstract

          This article aimed to study the role of the Santi Asoke in social movement since when the group was a support for Maj.Gen. Chamlong Srimuang was a candidate for the governor of Bangkok in 1985 to the era of Thailand’s political crisis. This article mainly studied from the documents. The results of the article showed that Santi Asoke did not have a status of a Buddhist organization that was certified from the government and Thai Sangha. This status has allowed Santi Asoke to conduct activities freely, both in religious activities and social activities. Santi Asoke was conducting social activities as a social movement with Samana Phothirak as the master. Santi Asoke has a systematic organizational structure with rituals, traditions, and festivals that creates the Asoke Buddhism ideology in both religious and social ideologies. Several social movements have occurred in Thai society arose from the members of the Santi Asoke that formed an organization carrying out religious activities along with the implementation of social activism. They have a systematic and strong social movement with a network of the members of Santi Asoke spreading across Thailand. This also included the power of the alliances network where Asoke members interact with individuals, communities, and other political interest groups that have the same direction. The object of the movement of Santi Asoke was to drive Thai society toward their goals. The social movement of Santi Asoke was more effective than individual group movements.