Participation Process of Monks, Novices and Related Persons in the Management of the Environment within the Temple Chom Sri Subdistrict, Chiang Khan District, Loei Province

Abstract

     This study was divided into two phases. The first phase, a descriptive study, aimed to explore situation, knowledge, attitude and participation behavior linking to environmental management in temples of monks, novices and related persons. Participants were 132 persons. Questionnaire and evaluation form of environmental management were used to collect data in eight temples. Data were analyzed by descriptive statistics. The second phase, a participatory action research, selected one potential temple to develop to be a model using the standard criteria. AIC was employed and observed to investigate participation and effectiveness of participation of 21 monks, novices and related persons. The environmental management form was used to monitor and evaluate applying percentage and interpreting the criterion scores.

     The results indicated that most of the participants were females 66.7% and had the average age of 50.23 years old, agriculture career 70.5%, a high level of knowledge 66.7%, a good level of attitude 86.4%, and a medium level of behavior 49.2%. The average score of the environmental management evaluation was 31.5 (S.D. =0.32) as 49.22% which did not pass the standard criterion scores. Regarding the implementation of phase two, the total score was 50 as 78.12%, a very good level, which passed the standard criterion scores. It could be seen that AIC can help cooperate ideas to develop plan and action plan to be having a good result in environmental management in the temple. Knowledge of environmental health, essential activities and related agency participation should be promoted to be sustainable environmental management in temples.