APPLYING BUDDHIST PRINCIPLES TO ENHANCE POLITICAL LEADERSHIP AMONG MUNICIPAL EXECUTIVES IN SURAT THANI PROVINCE

Abstract

Objectives of this research article were: 1. examine the current state of political leadership, 2. To identify factors influencing the enhancement of political leadership, and 3. To propose the application of Buddhist principles for promoting the political leadership of municipality executives in Surat Thani Province, conducted by the qualitative research employing in-depth interviewing 27 key informants purposively selected and categorized into seven groups. The collected data were analyzed by descriptive interpretation.

The findings revealed that, firstly, the political leadership of municipality executives in Surat Thani remained structurally underdeveloped, lacking long-term vision and strategic planning. Most administrative actions tended to be reactive rather than proactive, driven more by political motives or intuition than systematic data or analysis. Citizen participation mechanisms were largely ceremonial, with limited openness, transparency, and accountability. Patronage systems continued to influence resource allocation and management at the local level. Secondly, the study was found that the enhancement of political leadership was hindered by the lack of ideological influence. The inability to consistently conveyed core values, insufficient inspirational leadership, and limited intellectual stimulation within the organization. Leaders also showed minimal recognition of individual differences among personnel. Lastly, the application of Buddhist principles namely Cakkhuma (visionary), Vituro (skillful in management), and Nissayasampanno (possessing sound human relations) helped strengthen leadership capacity by fostering long-term vision, effective administration, and positive interpersonal relations. These qualities contributed to sustainable, transparent, and citizen-responsive local governance.