Analyzing the system of Patronage in the Thai Bureaucracy : Ethical Problems

Abstract

The objectives of this research  were as follows 1) to study concept of patronage system in Thai bureaucracy, 2) to study concept of Buddhist
ethics, and 3) to analyze problems in Buddhist ethics in patronage system of Thai government system. It was a documentary research with analysis and content assessment to find out how patronage system in Thai bureaucracy became Buddhist ethical problem. The data were analyzed in descriptive manner.

The results of research were found that: 1) Characteristics of patronage system in Thai bureaucratic system were characterized by two types of
actions; acts of lawful mutual benefit and acts of unlaw Fu mutual benefit.
2) The concept of Buddhist ethics held the principle of deciding what action was good or bad by using actions or karma as a measure and the act that could be regarded as karma must be an act of intent. It also considered a state of mind of the doer, a sense of conscience, the principle of solitude, an acceptance of wise man or scholar, result of action and the principle of transgression of principles of precepts. 3) when analyzing Buddhist ethical problems in the patronage system of the Thai bureaucracy with the cause that implied wholesome  unwholesome intention, principle of solitude, principle of conscience, principles of listening to opinions or considering the acceptance of wise man or scholar and the principle of considering nature and consequence of action or its effect on oneself and others whether it was acting in a manner that provided a legitimate interest or an unlawful benefit, these 2 characteristics were things that Buddhism did not accept and It was considered a bad thing. When considering according to the condition whether it was beneficial to the spiritual life or not, acting in a manner that benefited with law still couldnít judge whether it was contributing to the spiritual life or not. As for the act of unlawful mutual
benefit, it was considered unfavorable to oneís life. When applying the principle of transgression of the precepts in the secular world, the 5 precepts, it wasfound that it did not violate the 1st precept, 2nd precept and the 3rd precept. But, itmight violate the 4th precept and it again did not violate the 5th precept