PARTICIPATION IN CRIME PREVENTION ACCORDING TO THE 5TH PRECEPT OF THE PEOPLE OF KAENG SANAM NANG DISTRICT NAKHON RATCHASIMA PROVINCE

Abstract

              This article aims to 1) study the level of public participation in crime prevention in Kaeng Sanam Nang District, Nakhon Ratchasima Province; 2) examine the relationship between the Five Precepts (Sila 5) and public participation in crime prevention; and 3) propose a model for crime prevention based on the Five Precepts for the people of Kaeng Sanam Nang District, Nakhon Ratchasima Province. This study employs a mixed-methods research approach. The quantitative research component utilized questionnaires as a data collection tool, achieving a total reliability coefficient of 0.95. The sample consisted of 380 individuals. Data were analyzed using frequency, percentage, mean, and standard deviation, with hypothesis testing conducted via Pearson’s Correlation Coefficient. The qualitative research component involved in-depth interviews with 12 key informants, and the data were analyzed using descriptive content analysis.

Research findings revealed that

1) The level of public participation in crime prevention based on the Five Precepts among the people of Kaeng Sanam Nang District, Nakhon Ratchasima Province was overall at a high level, with a mean score of 4.10. When considered by aspects and by individual items, it was found that all aspects were at a high level.

2) All Five Precepts positively correlated with promoting participation in crime prevention at a statistically significant level of 0.01, especially adherence to Precept 1 (abstaining from killing and harming others) and Precept 2 (abstaining from stealing), with correlation coefficients (r) of 0.52 and 0.48, respectively.

3) The application of the Five Precepts together with the Four Principles of Sociality in citizen participation in crime prevention in Kaeng Sanam Nang District, Nakhon Ratchasima Province: Dana – giving, sharing, and helping one another with material resources, knowledge, and encouragement; Piyavacha – speaking pleasantly, politely, sincerely, and constructively, fostering affection and reconciliation; Atthacariya – engaging in beneficial conduct and helping others through action; Samannattata – maintaining equality, not being arrogant, respecting and treating each other equally.