BUDDHIST GOOD GOVERNANCE: ADMINISTRATION MECHANISM FOR PEACEFUL COEXISTENCE OF ETHNIC GROUPS IN THE WESTERN REGION

Abstract

The objectives of this research article were to study the current state, to analyze the model and to present a model of Buddhism Good Governance: Mechanisms for Peaceful Coexistence of Ethnic Groups in the Western Region using mixed methods.  Quantitative research, data were collected with questionnaires from 400 samples who were the ethnic groups in western Region of Thailand and analyzed data with a software program for social science research. The qualitative research, data were collected from 10 key informants by in-depth interviews and from  8 participants in focus group discussion, purposefully selected and analyzed data by descriptive interpretation. Findings were as follows; 1. The current state of ethnic governance in the Western Region was, by overall, at  high level with the mean value of 4.00, 2. The form of governance in accordance with Buddhist governance principles and the Sangha Acts as the highest rules indicating that there was not penalty without Dhamma-Vinaya and legal support and 3. The model of Buddhist Governance was found that the virtuous morality was the  essential element in all principles and acted as harmonization agent of all principles.