MANAGEMENT OF PUBLIC FACILITIES OF TEMPLES IN SOIFA - CHAMRAE SUBDISTRICT AT PHOTHARAM DISTRICT IN RATCHABURI PROVINCE

Abstract

This research article aimed to: 1. study the level of public utility management of temples in Soifa–Chamrae Subdistrict, Photharam District, Ratchaburi Province; 2. compare the public utility management of temples in Soifa–Chamrae Subdistrict, Photharam District, Ratchaburi Province, classified by personal factors; and 3. examine the problems, obstacles, and recommendations for the public utility management of temples in Soifa–Chamrae Subdistrict, Photharam District, Ratchaburi Province. This study employed a mixed-methods research design. The quantitative research used a questionnaire as a tool to collect field data from 358 people living in the temple areas. Data were analyzed using frequency, percentage, mean, and standard deviation, and hypotheses were tested using the F-test and one-way analysis of variance. The qualitative research used interviews as a tool to collect field data from 10 key informants, and the data were analyzed using content analysis in conjunction with contextual interpretation.

The findings revealed that: 1. the overall level of public utility management of temples in Soifa–Chamrae Subdistrict, Photharam District, Ratchaburi Province was at a moderate level. When considered by aspects, it was found that temple development had the highest mean at a high level, followed by maintenance and management of religious assets, while construction and renovation of monastic buildings had the lowest mean; 2. the comparison based on personal factors, including gender, age, general education, occupation, and income, showed that people with different factors had no differences in their opinions, leading to the rejection of the hypothesis; and 3. the major problems and obstacles included the lack of an effective waste disposal system and incomplete asset registration records in temples. The recommendations suggested that temples should develop standardized and safe waste disposal systems, as well as establish accurate, complete, and comprehensive asset registration systems for public utilities in order to enhance the efficiency of long-term management of religious properties.