THE DEVELOPMENT OF TEMPLE MANAGEMENT TO PROMOTE BUDDHIST TOURISM IN THE BANGKOK METROPOLITAN AREA

Abstract

This research article aimed to: 1. Explore Buddhist tourism in the Bangkok Metropolitan Area. 2. Examine the factors affecting Buddhist tourism in the Bangkok Metropolitan Area. 3. Propose the development strategies for monastery management to enhance Buddhist tourism in the Bangkok Metropolitan Area. The research employed a mixed method, consisting of: Quantitative research: Data were collected from 385 samples using a questionnaire with a reliability coefficient of 0.921. Qualitative research, In-depth interviews were conducted with 18 key informants. The findings were then synthesized and used in a focus group discussion with 10 monks or individuals to validate the results.

The research findings revealed that: 1. The overall monastery management for promoting Buddhist tourism in the Bangkok Metropolitan Area was at a high level (=3.97), The management aspects were ranked as follows: evaluation, administration, planning, and inspection. 2. Factors affecting monastery management for promoting Buddhist tourism in the Bangkok Metropolitan Area included the four management aspects inspection, planning, administration, and evaluation. All were statistically significant at the 0.01 level. Additionally, the Four Iddhipada: Chanda, Viriya, Citta, and Vimamsa, significantly influenced Buddhist tourism in the Bangkok Metropolitan Area at the 0.01 statistical significance level. 3. The development of monastery management for promoting Buddhist tourism should integrate Buddhist principles, especially the Four Iddhipada: Chanda, Viriya, Citta, and Vimamsa, to enhance monastery management for Buddhist tourism in the following areas: coordination, participation, facilities, personnel, activities, monastery tourism programming, and public relations.