DEVELOPMENT OF PUBLIC UTILITY MANAGEMENT OF THE MONKS AT KHLONG LAN DISTRICT IN KAMPHAENG PHET PROVINCE

Abstract

Objectives of this research article were: 1. To examine the level of Sangha public facility management of Sangha administrators at Khlong Lan District, Kamphaeng Phet Province; 2. To compare the opinions of Buddhist monks toward the development of Sangha public facilities management by Sangha administrators in Khlong Lan District, Kamphaeng Phet Province, classified according to personal factors; and 3. To investigate the problems, obstacles, and provide recommendations for the development of Sangha public facility management by Sangha administrators at Khlong Lan District, Kamphaeng Phet Province. Data were analyzed using frequency, percentage, mean, and standard deviation. In addition, qualitative research was conducted by collecting data from nine key informants who were monks or related individuals and analyzed by descriptive content interpretation.

Findings were as follows: 1. The overall opinion level of Buddhist monks regarding the development of Sangha public facilities management by Sangha administrators at Khlong Lan District, Kamphaeng Phet Province, was found to be at a high level ( = 3.83, S.D. = 0.17). 2. The results of comparing monks’ opinions on the development of Sangha public facilities management by Sangha administrators at Khlong Lan District, Kamphaeng Phet Province, classified by personal factors, revealed that monks with different ages, years of ordination, and levels of general education did not differ significantly in their opinions. Thus, the research hypothesis was rejected. However, monks with different levels of Dhamma studies, Nak Dham education, showed statistically significant differences in their opinions, leading to the acceptance of the research hypothesis; and 3. The study of problems, obstacles, and suggestions concerning the development of Sangha public facilities management by Sangha administrators at Khlong Lan District, Kamphaeng Phet Province, were found that, in terms of construction and renovation of monastic buildings, there was a lack of sufficient budget and reliable funding sources. The operations mainly depended on laypeople’s donations resulted in discontinuity and inconsistency in the implementation.