THE DEMOCRATIC POLITICAL AWAKENING OF THAI MON PEOPLE IN PATHUMTHANI PROVINCE

Abstract

The objectives of this research were 1) To study the state of political awakening of Thai Mon people in Pathum Thani Province 2) To study relevant factors affecting democratic political awakening of Thai Mon people in Pathum Thani Province, and 3) To apply Buddhism principles to promote democratic political awakening among Thai Mon people in Pathum Thani Province. This is an integrated research method by qualitative research. There were 24 key informants of people. Quantitative research, the sample group by setting criteria for 381 people.

The results showed that 1. The state of political awakening of Thai Mon people in Pathum Thani Province in high level. The overall awakening state was at a high level ( =3.97, S.D. = 0.98) 2. Factors affecting democratic political awakening of Thai Mon people in Pathum Thani Province are as follows: 1) Way of life did not affect the democratic political awakening of Thai Mon people 2) Aparihaniyadhamma Principle is affecting the political awakening of the Thai Mon people. able to predict 36.0% 3. The presentation of the application of Buddhism principles to promote democratic political awakening of Thai Mon people in Pathum Thani Province is in 2 forms: 1) Political awakening in an abstract manner (creating awareness) 2) Political awakening in a concrete manner (political movement).