POLITICAL AWARENESS IN EXERCISING THE RIGHT TO VOTE IN LOCAL ELECTIONS OF PEOPLE IN MUEANG PATHUM THANI DISTRICT, PATHUM THANI PROVINCE

Abstract

This study aims to: 1) Examine the level of political awareness regarding participation in local elections, and 2) Compare the political awareness in participating in local elections among the residents of Mueang Pathum Thani District, Pathum Thani Province, classified by personal factors. This is a mixed methods research study. The conceptual framework is based on the concepts and theories of Phra Maha Natthaphot Khanthitharo. The population consists of 23,528 residents in Mueang Pathum Thani District, Pathum Thani Province. The sample size was determined using the Krejcie and Morgan table, resulting in a sample of 377 people. The research instrument used was a 5-point Likert scale questionnaire. Statistical methods for data analysis included frequency distribution, percentage, mean, standard deviation, t-test, and F-test.

           The study found that: 1) The overall level of political awareness regarding participation in local elections was high. When considering each aspect in descending order of average scores, all five aspects were rated at a high level. The highest average score was for political parties, followed by campaign activities, policies, candidate characteristics, and mass media, which had the lowest average score. 2) A comparison of the level of political awareness in participating in local elections among residents of Mueang Nonthaburi District, Nonthaburi Province, based on personal factors, showed that differences in gender, age, education, occupation, and income did not result in statistically significant differences in political awareness at the .05 level.