Child Monkhood as a Reflection of Policy Injustice and Public Value in Thai Society

Abstract

This article examines the phenomenon of child monkhood in Thailand as a social mechanism addressing structural poverty and gaps in the state welfare system. While ordination is traditionally perceived as a religious and spiritual practice, evidence indicates that children from economically disadvantaged households often enter monkhood to secure access to fundamental rights, including education, food, and shelter. The study employs frameworks from public administration, political ethics, and the capability approach to analyze how this practice reflects both institutional shortcomings and the state’s responsibility in providing equitable public services. The analysis reveals that child ordination functions as an informal social safety net, provided by Buddhist temples within a context of inadequate formal welfare provision. Simultaneously, it exposes policy gaps and the structural transfer of social responsibilities from the state to non-state institutions, highlighting persistent inequalities in access to basic services. The study argues that reliance on temples for child welfare, without formal support or governance mechanisms, illustrates structural injustice and limits genuine freedom of choice for children. The article recommends policy reforms that integrate temples as formal partners within the state’s welfare system, ensuring ordination remains a voluntary religious practice rather than an economic necessity. It also emphasizes the expansion of universal access to education and social support in rural and marginalized communities. By framing child monkhood as an indicator of structural injustice, this study provides insights for scholars, policymakers, and practitioners aiming to enhance ethical governance, equitable service delivery, and social justice in child welfare in Thailand.