APPLICATION OF THE 4 PRINCIPLES OF SAMPATHANA TO PROMOTE SOLID WASTE MANAGEMENT IN THE COMMUNITY OF THA RAHAT SUB-DISTRICT MUNICIPALITY AT MUEANG DISTRICT IN SUPHAN BURI PROVINCE

Abstract

Objectives of this research article were: 1. To study the level of solid waste management in the community of Tha Rahat Sub-District Municipality, Mueang District, Suphan Buri Province; 2. To examine the relationship between Sammappadhana and community solid waste management of Tha Rahat Sub-District Municipality, Mueang District, Suphan Buri Province; and 3. To propose the application of Sammappadhana for promoting solid waste management in the community of Tha Rahat Sub-District Municipality, Mueang District, Suphan Buri Province. The study employed a mixed-methods. The quantitative research conducted through questionnaires and qualitative research through in-depth interviews with 10 key informants. Data were analyzed using frequency, percentage, mean, standard deviation, and Pearson’s correlation coefficient, together with content descriptive interpretation.

The findings revealed that: 1. The solid waste management in the community of Tha Rahat Sub-District Municipality was found, by overall, to be at a moderate level. Considering each aspect, waste reduction had an average at a high level, followed by reuse and recycling, which were at moderate levels. 2. The relationship between Sammappadhana and solid waste management in the community of Tha Rahat Sub-District Municipality was found, by overall, to be at a moderate level. When considering each aspect, Samvara-padhana,effort to prevent, had a high level of relationship, Pahana-padhana, effort to abandon, had a low level, Bhavana-padhana, effort to develop, showed no relationship, and Anurakkhaaa-padhana, effort to preserve, had a moderate level. 3. The application of Sammappadhana in community solid waste management was found that sustainable waste management at the community level must integrate environmental practices with moral concepts. The 3Rs approach, Reduce, Reuse, Recycle should be used as the core to change people’s behavior, including reducing the use of materials with mindfulness, reusing items creatively, and recycling through local learning and innovation.