THE INTEGRATION OF THE GOOD GOVERNANCE FOR THE GOOD LIFE OF THE THAI SOCIETY

Abstract

This research was to investigate the integrating governance principles for good life achievement in the current Thai societies and to find directions to back-up its accomplishment. As such, in-depth interview, focus groups, and non-participatory observation were qualitatively employed for data collection during July-December 2019. The ten interviewees comprising two each with the entitled monks, scholars, laities, Buddhapanya Sri Thawarawadee Buddhist College postgraduates and undergraduates mostly prioritized equity and inclusiveness (opportunities to improve wellbeing) while human rights was the last priority and proposed Rājadhamma 10 to replace the existing governance. The four focus groups each assembling an entitled monk, a scholar, a laity, similarly prioritized as the interviewee group. In Rājadhamma 10, every focus group prioritized Attha (advantageous welfare) followed by Dhamma-vepulla (life value enhancement); Kāmabhogīsukha (happy family life) and Vimokkha (sense of public). With non-participatory observations, the entitled monks were prone to Buddhist Dhamma and Ethics. The rest partly agreed with the them but weighed more on rule of law, transparency, participation, accountability and cost-effectiveness. Some voiced governance indicators, application process and publicity. Two directions were found, first the imperative participative leadership (democratic) training and second, behaviorism and cognitivism training since the former was responsive to rule of law while the latter was the mindfulness and wisdom development welfare equality, social responsiveness and why human rights were least recognized so on.