THE ROLE OF LOCAL LEADERS IN COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT OF MUENWAI SUBDISTRICT MUEANG DISTRICT, NAKHON RATCHASIMA PROVINCE

Abstract

This research article aims to 1) Study the role of local leaders in community development in Muen Wai Subdistrict. 2) Compare public opinions on the role of local leaders in community development in Muen Wai Subdistrict, categorized by personal factors. 3) Present the role of local leaders in community development in Muen Wai Subdistrict. The research methodology is a mixed-methods approach. The quantitative research used a questionnaire with a reliability value of 0.914 from a sample group consisting of citizens aged 18 and over in Muen Wai Subdistrict, Mueang District, Nakhon Ratchasima Province, totaling 383 people. Data were analyzed using statistical methods, including frequency, percentage, mean, standard deviation, and analysis using t-tests and F-tests. The qualitative research involved interviews with 9 key informants and content analysis in a descriptive manner. 

          The research results found that 1) The level of local leadership roles in community development in Muen Wai Subdistrict, Mueang District, Nakhon Ratchasima Province is overall at a high level ( = 3.99, S.D. = 0.36).
2) Comparison of public opinions on the role of local leaders in community development in Tambon Muen Wai classified by personal factors. Overall, it was found that people with different genders, ages, education levels, and occupations had no different opinions on the role of local leaders in community development in Tambon Muen Wai. Therefore, the research hypothesis was rejected. 3) Application of Buddhist principles to promote the role of local leaders in community development in Tambon Muen Wai found that 1) Charity: Helping the poor and vulnerable groups 2) Polite speech: Using polite, gentle, and sincere words 3) Atthachariya: Behaving to be useful, working with transparency and fairness 4) Samatta: Behaving consistently and adhering to responsibility