THE ADMINISTRATION AND MANAGEMENT PUBLIC WELFARE OF SANGHA CHALOEM PHRAKIAT DISTRICT, SARABURI PROVINCE

Abstract

This research article aims to: 1. Study and examine the level of management in social welfare activities, 2. compare social welfare management according to personal factors, and 3. present issues, obstacles, and recommendations regarding social welfare management by ecclesiastical leaders in Chaloem Phra Kiat District, Saraburi Province. The research employs a mixed-method approach, combining quantitative survey research with qualitative interviews. The quantitative data was gathered from a sample of 133 monks in Chaloem Phra Kiat District, Saraburi, using a questionnaire. Data were analyzed with social science software, using frequency, percentage, mean, and standard deviation. The qualitative research involved in-depth interviews with nine key informants, with data analyzed through descriptive content analysis.

The findings are as follows: 1. The monks generally rated the social welfare management by ecclesiastical leaders in Chaloem Phra Kiat District at a high level. 2. Hypothesis testing revealed no significant differences in perceptions of social welfare management among monks with varying ages, years in the order, secular education levels, or religious education levels in Pali and Dhamma studies, leading to the rejection of the hypothesis. 3. Issues and obstacles in social welfare management by ecclesiastical leaders in Chaloem Phra Kiat District include lack of continuity, shortage of knowledgeable and skilled personnel, insufficient skills in managing religious assets, and limited expertise in supporting specific needs of the public. Recommendations include establishing fundraising plans and seeking additional resources from both internal and external supporters, as well as creating networks for collaboration between local ecclesiastical leaders and government and private sector agencies.