The Local Wisdom in the Traditions of the Western Region of Thailand

Abstract

The purposes of this research were to collect and study the methods of the local wisdom transferring that appears in the traditions of the western region of Thailand. The data were collected by document analysis and in-depth interview. The key informants included 10 members comprising experts and community sages from 5 provinces: Tak, Kanchanaburi, Ratchaburi, Phetchaburi and Prachuap Khiri Khan which selected by purposive sampling. The tools employed for this study were data record and semi-structured interview forms. The collected data were analyzed by content analysis. The results of the research revealed that: The local wisdom that appears in the traditions of the western region of Thailand included 4 dimensions. The first dimension was religious that consisted of 3 items: 1) inheritance and preservation of Buddhism, 2) cultivating the next generation to study and learn the Dharma through activities in the tradition, and 3) cultivation of merit making. The second dimension was appropriate behavior that consisted of 3 items: 1) expressing gratitude to ancestors, 2) cultivating gratitude to benefactors, and 3) cultivating a sense of value, be frugal and be saving. The third dimension was social relations that consisted of 4 items: 1) cultivating values ​​and self-serving behaviors in young people, 2) cultivating solidarity, 3) cultivating paying respect to elders, and 4) cultivating humility. The last dimension was recreation and encouragement that consisted of 2 items: 1) building morale and prosperity, and 2) relaxation and enjoyment. The methods of transferring local wisdom included 5 methods: 1) practicality, 2) telling, 3) self-learning 4) performance and play, and 5) knowledge capture.