Buddhist Political Communication of Thai-Luae in Phayao Province

Abstract

The purposes of this research article were 1) to study the political communication patterns of the Tai Lue ethnic group in Phayao Province; and 2) to analyze the political communication of the Tai Lue ethnic group in Phayao Province according to Buddhdhamma. This was the qualitative research using interviews with 5 groups of key informants, totaling 30 people, in the Chiang Kham District area, Phayao Province as a research area. The results of the research found that 1) the Tai Lue ethnic group in Phayao Province had 3 main patterns of political communication: 1.1) for interpersonal communication, there was communication in such a way that both the sender and the receiver exchanged messages directly and communicated face to face;  1.2) in terms of communication channels, there were political communication channels that carried messages from the sender to the receiver, such as through local radio, radio broadcasting, voice over wires, printed media, letters, and telephone calls and through online media such as Facebook, Line, etc.; and 1.3) in the aspect of mass communication, it was specific characteristic and connected to the culture and environment that was unique of this area. Mass communication was usually group or community communication; and 2) when the political communication of the Tai Lue ethnic group in Phayao Province according to Buddhadhamma received inspiration from Buddhadhamma in terms of their religious heritage and beliefs by applying Buddhadhamma to make political communication more accurate and efficient, namely Agati 4, Sucarita 3, Paratoghosa, Yonisomanasikara. It was the delivery of political information without bias, good conduct in act (Kaya-sucarita), good conduct in word (Vaci-sucarita), good conduct in thought (Mano-sucarita) in order to prevent political news from being distorted from reality. And when ethnic groups received political news, they would not believe because of ignorance and no reason, but they must use their wisdom to consider and understand it fully and not decide to believe it while receiving the message.