BUDDHADHAMMA INTEGRATION FOR PROMOTE PUBLIC PARTICIPATION IN PREVENTING DIGITAL CRIME IN UTHAI-THANI PROVINCE

Abstract

This research article aimed to: 1. study public participation in online crime prevention; 2. examine the factors affecting public participation in online crime prevention; and 3. propose the application of Buddhist principles to promote public participation in online crime prevention among communities in Uthai Thani Province. This study employed both quantitative and qualitative research methods. The population consisted of residents of Mueang Uthai Thani District, with a sample of 399 respondents determined using Taro Yamane’s formula. The research instruments included a questionnaire with a reliability coefficient of 0.988 and a structured interview form. Quantitative data were collected from 399 respondents, while in-depth interviews were conducted with 18 key informants. A focus group discussion with 10 participants was also conducted to validate the newly synthesized knowledge. Data were analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics.

The findings revealed that 1. The overall level of public participation in online crime prevention was moderate. The aspects, ranked from highest to lowest, were information provision, consultation, collaboration, involvement, and citizen empowerment, respectively. 2. Regarding the factors affecting public participation in online crime prevention among communities in Uthai Thani Province, government operations significantly affected public participation, including communication and connection with citizens, building good relationships with citizens, and information management for citizens, at the 0.01 level. The seven Aparihaniyadhamma principles also affected public participation in four aspects: caring for visitors, respecting and listening to the opinions of elders, refraining from establishing rules that conflict with existing regulations, and respecting human rights, with statistical significance at the 0.01 and 0.05 levels, respectively. and 3. The application of Buddhist principles to promote public participation in online crime prevention among communities in Uthai Thani Province involved integrating the seven Aparihaniyadhamma principles as a framework for enhancing public participation, together with government operations as a foundation for strengthening community participation in online crime prevention.