Political Participation in a referendum for Constitution Draft B.E. 2560 of People in the Area of Tambon Pho Hak, Amphoe Bang Phae, Ratchaburi Province

Abstract

This objectives of the research were to study the level of political participation in a referendum for Constitution Draft B.E.2560 of people in the area of Tambon Pho Hak, Amphoe Bang Phae, Ratchaburi Province. and compare the level of the political participation in a referendum for Constitution Draft B.E. 2560 then classified each personal factor and seek for the Guidelines for political participation in a referendum for Constitution Draft B.E.2560 of people in the area then classified of each personal factors. The research is quantitative and qualitative research. The quantitative research has been collected data by using a questionnaire from a sample group who are the 382 residents who lived at Pho Hak Sub-district, Bang Phae District, Ratchaburi Province. The statistics that have been used for data analysis included frequency distribution, the percentage, mean, standard deviation, the t-test and One-way analysis of variance (F-test). The qualitative research has been collected data by using in-depth interviews from sample group who were 17 residents lived in Pho Hak Subdistrict, Bang Phae District, Ratchaburi Province. The data analysis was completed by using content analysis. The results found 1) The overall research population in terms of the political participation in a referendum for Constitution Draft B.E.2560 of people in the area of Tambon Pho Hak, Amphoe Bang Phae, Ratchaburi Province was at a high level. Most of them have participated in politics in term of exercise of referendum rights. 2) The differences of personal factors included age and education level of residents lived in Pho Hak Subdistrict, Bang Phae District, Ratchaburi Province were political participation in referendums differently. For the differences of personal factors in terms of gender, marital status, occupation, and income of residents who have lived in Pho Hak Subdistrict, Bang Phae District, Ratchaburi Province, were political participation in the referendum vote no different with statistically significant at a level of 0.05. 3) The guidelines for political participation in a referendum for Constitution Draft B.E.2560 included determining of a clear referendum issue, shall increase the studying period of the content of constitution draft, shall increase of public relations and provide knowledge that is neutral to the people. Therefore, people can vote the referendum in terms of agreement or disagreement in accordance with their actual needs and willingness that will reduce the confusion in the referendum vote and issues from bad cards. The results of this research can be used as guidelines for increasing political participation and can be the prototype for the study of the overall political participation in the referendum which led to the further development of political participation in Thai democracy.