Thai and Myanmar Migrant Workers’ Participation in the Chak Phra Tradition in Ban Koh Sirey Community, Phuket Province

Abstract

This research aims to study the development and the participation level of Thai people and Myanmar workers in the Chak Phra tradition in Ban Ko Sirey Community, Phuket Province. It is a mixed-method research, the data was collected from 400 people through questionnaires and in-depth interviews 11 people from community leaders, government agencies, the private sectors, religious leaders, and Myanmar leaders. Qualitative data were analyzed using descriptive analysis and quantitative data using descriptive statistics.

The research results found that development of participation in the Chak Phra tradition Ban Ko Sirey Community, Phuket Province, has evolved over time. In the past, Thai Buddhists in the community and the Koh Sirey Temple committee organized the Chak Phra tradition regularly. Later, in the year 2009, Myanmar Buddhist workers joined the activity. From the year 2013 to the present, Myanmar workers’ representatives have become part of the committee for organizing religious activities, fostering good cooperation between the groups. And the participation of Thai people and Myanmar workers in the Chak Phra tradition is rated at the highest level across all aspects. The participation in terms of receiving benefits had the highest average value, followed by monitoring and evaluation, implementation, and decision-making, respectively.