LOCAL POLITICIANS BUDDHIST OF AT BANG GRABUE SUB-DISTRICT MUNICIPALITY IN BANG KHONTI DISTRICT OF SAMUT SONGKRAM PROVINCE

Abstract

Objectives of this research article were: 1. To examine the level of community development initiated by local politicians at Bang Krabue Sub-District Municipality, Bang Khonthi District, Samut Songkhram Province; 2. To explore the relationship between the principle of Raja-Sangahavatthu Dhamma and community development among local politicians in the area; and 3. To propose a Buddhist method approach to community development for local politicians, conducted by the mixed methods. The quantitative data were collected from 333 eligible voters using a questionnaire with an overall reliability score of 0.894. The data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and Pearson’s correlation coefficient. The qualitative data were collected by in-depth interviewing 10 key informants, including both laypersons and monks, and analyzed using descriptive content interpretation.

The research findings revealed that: 1. The overall level of community development led by local politicians was high. 2. The application of Raja-Sangahavatthu 4 was moderately correlated with community development (R=0.503**) with a statistically significant positive relationship at the 0.01 level, indicating that incorporating this Buddhist principle can enhance the quality of community development. 3. Buddhist-oriented approach to community development consists of four dimensions: 1. Sassamedha; promoting agriculture and food security through effective management of basic resources. 2. Purisamedha; promoting good governance by selecting morally upright and competent personnel. 3. Sammapasa; supporting local occupations aligned with community identity to reduce inequality. And 4. Vacapeyya; using polite and constructive communication to foster public participation. These findings reflected the effective integration of Buddhist principles into local administration in ways that align with cultural context and community lifestyles.