Factors Affecting People's Political Participation in the Local Administrator Election of Wiang Ta Subdistrict Municipality, Long District, Phrae Province

Abstract

The objectives of this research article were 1) to study the level of political participation; 2) to study and compare Aparihaniyadhamma and factors affecting political participation; and 3) to study problems, obstacles, suggestions, and factors affecting people's political participation in the election of local administrators, Wiang Ta Subdistrict Municipality, Long District, Phrae Province. It was a mixed methods research. Quantitative research was conducted by distributing questionnaires to a sample of 372 people and qualitative research was done by using in-depth interviews with 9 key informants. The results of the research found that 1) the people's level of political participation in local administrator election of  Wiang Ta Subdistrict Municipality, Long District, Phrae , overall was at a moderate level ( =3.46, S.D.=0.31); 2 ) the results of the comparison found that people with different genders, educations, and occupations had factors affecting political participation, overall there was no difference. Therefore, the hypothesis was rejected. As for people with different ages had factors affecting political participation, overall was different statistically significant at the 0.05 level. The relationship between of Aparihaniyadhamma, overall, was different, so the hypotheses were accepted as having statistical significance at the 0.05 level; and 3) in terms of problems and obstacles, it was found that people received too little training and knowledge about various laws, rules, and regulations that should be followed in society. Some were not interested in participating in political activities, lacking participation in the campaign not to buy votes within the community. In the aspect of suggestions, it was found that training should be organized to provide knowledge about various laws, rules and regulations that should practice in society to the public regularly. There should be public relations and organizing activities to provide knowledge about the penalties for buying voting rights in elections.