INTEGRATED BUDDHIST POLITICAL LEADERSHIP OF ADMINISTRATORS OF LOCAL GOVERNMENT ORGANIZATIONS IN LOEI PROVINCE

Abstract

Objectives of this research article were: 1. study the political leadership of local administrative organization executives in Loei Province; 2. investigate the factors affecting the political leadership of local administrative organization executives in Loei Province; and 3. propose a Buddhist-integrated political leadership model for local administrative organization executives in Loei Province. This study employed a mixed-method research approach. The qualitative research involved 18 key informants who were academic experts or individuals with direct relevant experience. The research instrument was a structured interview form. The data were analyzed using descriptive content analysis. The quantitative research sample consisted of 395 eligible voters residing in the areas under the jurisdiction of Subdistrict Administrative Organizations with outstanding performance in 2025 at the provincial level in Loei Province. The research instrument was a questionnaire with a reliability coefficient of 0.933. The data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and inferential statistics.

The research findings revealed that: 1. The overall level of political leadership among local administrative organization executives in Loei Province was high. 2. Political motivation factors and the principles of Papanikadhamma positively influenced the Buddhist-integrated political leadership of local administrative organization executives in Loei Province, with statistical significance at the 0.01 level. 3. The Buddhist-integrated political leadership model of local administrative organization executives in Loei Province consists of three components: 1. Cakkhuma (Visionary Leadership): Leaders possess vision and foresight, manage with transparency and fairness, place citizens at the center, and promote quality of life and community sustainability. 2. Vidhuro (Competent Management): Leaders demonstrate effective administrative skills, utilize information and moral principles, engage in proper planning, maintain transparency, prioritize public interests, and encourage citizen participation and 3. Nissayasampanno (Good Human Relations): Leaders have strong interpersonal skills, communicate constructively, listen attentively, solve problems with mindfulness and compassion, and promote cooperation and social harmony.