FACTORS AFFECTING PEOPLE’S LOCAL ELECTION BEHAVIOR AT TABMA SUB-DISTRICT MUNICIPALITY, RAYONG PROVINCE

Abstract

The objectives of this research article were as follows: 1. To study the level of local election behaviour of the people. 2. To study the factors affecting the local election behaviour of the people, and 3. To propose guidelines for promoting local election behaviour among people according to Buddha-dhamma at Thap Ma Sub-District Municipality, Mueang District, Rayong Province, conducted by mixed research methods. In the quantitative research, data were collected using a questionnaire from a sample of 393 people, using Tato Yamane's formula; data were analysed using a ready-made statistical program. In the qualitative research, data were collected from 9 key informants using structured, in-depth interviews. Data were analysed using content analysis techniques.

Findings were as follows: 1. The overall level of local election behaviour of people at Thap Ma Sub-District Municipality, Mueang District, Rayong Province, was at a high level. 2. Factors that affected people's local election behaviour were found, such as political culture and people's exercise of voting rights at Thap Ma Sub-District Municipality, which was at a statistically significant level of 0.01. 3. Guidelines for promoting local election behaviour of the people, according to Sappurisa-dhamma, were found: 1. Knowing causes: Local politicians must be able to solve local problems and reach out to the people. 2. Knowing the results, local politicians must keep the promises they gave to the people 3. Knowing oneself: Local politicians and the people must be responsible and know their responsibilities. 4. Principles of moderation by not doing whatever was beyond one’s ability. 5. knowing time; helping people when they were in distress wholeheartedly; 6. Knowing communities: local politicians must know people in the areas by their strengths, weaknesses, and the point to be promoted for community development, 7. Knowing individuals: Local politicians must respect the elder monks in the area.