BUDDHA DHAMMA APPLICATION FOR PROMOTING PEOPLE’S POLITICAL TRUST TOWARD LOCAL POLITICIANS AT BANGJAKRENG SUB-DISTRICT IN MUANG DISTRICT OF SAMUT SONGKRAM PROVINCE

Abstract

This research aims to: 1. Study the level of political trust among citizens towards local politicians in Bangjakreng Subdistrict Municipality, Mueang District, Samut Songkhram Province; 2. Compare the level of political trust among citizens categorized by personal factors; and 3. Present the application of Buddhist principles to promote political trust among citizens. This is a mixed-methods research study. The sample group consisted of 346 individuals and 11 key informants (monks or laypersons). Data was collected using questionnaires and interviews. Data was analyzed using social science software and descriptive content analysis.

The research findings showed that: 1. Overall, public political trust in local politicians is at a moderate level. (= 3.31, S.D. = 0.81). When considered by individual aspects, all aspects were found to be at a moderate level, namely: policy ( = 3.36, S.D. = 0.87), personality (= 3.33, S.D. = 0.87), political communication (= 3.28, S.D. = 0.90), and work process (= 3.26, S.D. = 0.83), respectively. 2. Categorized by personal factors, it was found that people with different genders, ages, educational levels, and monthly incomes did not have significantly different opinions regarding overall political trust, except for people with different occupations, who had statistically significant differences in their opinions regarding overall political trust at the 0.05 level. and 3. Public opinion regarding local politicians' adherence to the Five Noble Virtues revealed that: 1) Faith: Local politicians should uphold the principles of truth and be leaders with clear goals. 2) Morality: They should adhere to the law and ethics. 3) Learning: They should constantly seek knowledge and continuously develop themselves to be knowledgeable and up-to-date with current events. 4) Generosity: They should be kind, compassionate, and helpful to their fellow citizens equally. 5) Wisdom: They should be role models with broad vision.