A Buddhist Economic Approach to Happiness & Capability Linkage in OTOP Craftsmen in Southern Thailand

Abstract

     This study was undertaken to observe the linkage between the concept of happiness and capability in craftsmen of One Tumbon One Product Project or OTOP by adopting a Buddhist economic approach. A sample of three hundred and seventy seven craftsmen were selected from members of eighty-eight OTOP community enterprises for an interview by employing open-ended questions. Most of the craftsmen had a view of happiness as having an affluent and vigorous family life. They had a capability which was the summation of craftsmanship, creativity and the ability to perform the entire process of production and make other products. Their concept of their state of happiness was not directly correlated with their capability. The linkage between them was their correlation with the social capital index (SCI) on an individual level.