Abstract:
The study consisted of the following objectives: 1) to investigate the level of public participation in promoting local political culture, Cho Hae Subdistrict, Mueang Phrae District, Phrae Province; 2) to explore the correlation between Aparihāniyadhamma (Seven Conditions of Welfare) and the promotion of local political culture though public participation, Cho Hae Subdistrict, Mueang Phrae District, Phrae Province; and 3) to study problems, obstacles, and suggestions about the promotion of local political culture though public participation, Cho Hae Subdistrict, Mueang Phrae District, Phrae Province. The study employed a mixed-methods approach, with survey research serving as the quantitative method. The quantitative research sample consisted of 380 residents Cho Hae Subdistrict, Mueang Phrae District, Phrae Province. The Taro Yamane formula was used to determine the size of sample group. The data were analyzed by frequency, percentage, mean, standard deviation, and Pearson correlation coefficient. The qualitative method employed in-depth interviews with 9 key informants, in which the obtained data were analyzed by content analysis and presented through frequency distribution tables of key informants to support the quantitative data."
From the study, it is found as follows:
1) The overall level of public participation in promoting local political culture according to Aparihāniyadhamma (Seven Conditions of Welfare) is found to be at a high level (X =3.78, S.D. = 0.34). The overall level of public participation in promoting local political culture in all five aspects is moderate (X =3.47, S.D. = 0.37).
2) The correlation between Aparihāniyadhamma (Seven Conditions of Welfare) and the promotion of local political culture though public participation, Cho Hae Subdistrict, Mueang Phrae District, Phrae Province is overall correlated at a high level (r = .636**) with a statistical significance of 0.01 level; therefore, accepting the null hypothesis.
3) Problems and obstacles of the promotion of local political culture though public participation, Cho Hae Subdistrict, Mueang Phrae District, Phrae Province found as follows: some people lack the knowledge and understanding necessary to be good citizens in a democratic society; the Cho Hae Subdistrict municipality lacks the personnel necessary to educate people about their rights and liberties; some people are not interested in joining political activities; some people are unfamiliar with democracy's rules and regulations; and some people are not brave enough to express their opinions in the public.
The suggestions offer the guidelines for developing the promotion of local political culture though public participation, Cho Hae Subdistrict, Mueang Phrae District, Phrae Province are as follows: people should be trained to be good citizens in accordance with democratic principles; personnel with knowledge of rights and liberties should be offered in order to provide people with adequate information; people should be clarified the objectives and benefits of participation; the training should be provided to educate people about adhering to the rules and regulations under democracy; people should be encouraged to be courageous in expressing their political views.