Aesthetic of Internal Living Environment under the Sufficiency Economy Philosophy

Abstract

The research article consisted of the following objectives: 1) to investigate the environment of traditional Thai houses in the past; 2) to decode the sufficiency economy philosophy; and 3) to apply the philosophy to living environment. The study applied a qualitative research method by studying documents and in-depth interviews with 12 persons including architects, interior decorators, and residents of urban condominiums. The collected data were applied by decoding the sufficiency economy philosophy into living environment. 

From the study, the following results are found: 1) The lifestyle of people in the past was aligned with the nature, exhibiting characteristic of ‘having enough, consuming enough, and spending enough'. This is also in line with the middle path in Buddhism of sīla (percepts), samādhi (concentration), and paññā (wisdom), which can be applied in the present urban society; 2) The sufficiency economy philosophy is based on moderation, rationality, and immunity, as well as morality and the middle path that can be applied to living in today's society; and 3) Under the principles of simplicity, application, utilization, and economy, the quality of one's living environment contributes to physical and mental happiness and peace. The middle path of sufficiency economy philosophy leads to balance and a higher quality of life for living in a chaotic society.