MONASTERY ARCHITECTURE CONSERVATION OF MONASTERIES AT BANG PA-IN DISTRICT IN PHRA NAKHON SI AYUTTHAYA PROVINCE

Abstract

Objectives of this research were: 1. To study the general condition of monastery architectural conservation, 2. To examine the factors influencing the conservation of monastery architecture, and 3. To propose strategies for conserving monasteries architecture at Bang Pa-In District, Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya Province. The research employed a mixed-methods approach. The quantitative study used a questionnaire with a reliability coefficient of 0.97, administered to a sample of 194 respondents. The statistical analyses included frequency, percentage, mean, standard deviation, and multiple regression analysis. The qualitative study collected data through in-depth interviewing 10 key informants and analyzed data by the content descriptive interpretation.

The findings revealed that: 1. The overall condition of monastery architectural conservation at Bang Pa-In District was at the highest level (=4.53, S.D.=0.50); 2. Factors influencing the conservation included the 4M management principles, which had a statistically significant effect at the 0.01 level with 86.2%, and the Iddhipada 4 principles, which had a statistically significant effect at the 0.01 level with 73.5 percent; and 3. The conservation of monastery architecture encompassed four aspects: 1. maintenance, 2. protection, 3. stability enhancement, and 4. utilization. Monitoring damage and reviewing plans were considered as acts of care and protection. When deterioration was found, repairs or structural reinforcement were conducted using materials similar to the original, implemented systematically and transparently. Any new constructions were planned with consideration for practical use, through collaborative meetings with relevant agencies and the community, to ensure the long-term durability of the monasteries architecture.