Determinants of Voluntary Contributions in Thailand

Abstract

This study aims to examine an individual’s decision on giving in-cash, in-kind, and time volunteer in Thailand using the MutivariateProbit model so as to determine the correlation of these three methods of giving from an individual’s perspective. Using a survey data of 2,557 observations from 19 provinces nationwide conducted during April to June 2011, the study found
that an individual’s decision of money donation and time volunteer and the decision of in-kind donation and time volunteer are significantly positively correlated, whilst an individual’s decisions of money and in-kind donations are not correlated. Furthermore, the study found that an individual’s level of social capital in particular the formal and informal social networks as well as religious networking have positive influence on an individual’s decision to give; for social networks are information channel that help people to learn about problems and the needs of others in their society. Government hence should promote social network accumulation by encouraging community’s activities for at least once a month. Since government spending on religious crowds out private contributions, government might consider reallocate its budget from the provision of public goods to steering the community social networking instead.