MONASTERY DEVELOPMENT FOR AGRICULTURAL TOURISM IN ANGTHONG PROVINCE

Abstract

This research article aimed to study the general condition, the process of developing temples and to present the guidelines for the development of temples, conducted by the mixed methods. The quantitative research by survey method. This was survey research collected data with questionnaires from 314 samples who were monks under the Ang Thong Province Sangha Administration. The statistics used for data analysis were frequency, percentage, mean, standard deviation. The qualitative research, data were collected by in-depth interviewing 8 key informants and data were compiled, classified systematically and analyzed by content descriptive analysis.

Findings were as follows: 1. General condition in strengths Most of the temples have a wide area, located in the source of agricultural communities, weaknesses are geo-ecclesiastical areas, opportunities, agricultural tourism is popular, barriers, government support is minimal. 2. The components of monastery development were appropriate staffing, keeping up with world events, clear policy and working mission, well prepared and sufficient budget, sufficient materials and equipment to be used with good management system and planning, 3. Monastery development guidelines; there should be developed to be safe and well organized places with all basic amenities and complete storage. There should have information technology to help disseminating information. The monasteries should be the community way learning center. There should have training courses for personnel to have knowledge of agriculture. The budget plan should well prepared and sufficient for public relations promotion. There should be applying technology to help in agriculture operation.  There should be community networks to help develop monasteries.