A Comparative Study of the Practice Forms to the Religions between Thailand and Singapore

Authors

  • Mukrawe Chimphanao, Phramaha Kringsak Indhapanno, Silawat Chaiwong

Abstract

The purposes of this research were 1) to study the encouragement of practice forms to the religions in Thailand and Singapore, 2) to propose the appropriate way by comparing between the two countries. Qualitative research using the case study research from Thailand and Singapore was designed. Data were collected from the related document and in-depth interview the representative from Buddhist, Christian and Islamic organization, the state agencies and religions affairs technical officers about 12 persons including focus group discussion. Qualitative data was analyzed by using content analysis. Result indicated that 1) Singapore is a secular state, there is a law preserving religious unity as a tool for religious affairs including the particular organization to encourage the reconciliation between the different religions. Singapore emphasize the prevention of religions problems and develop religions curriculums for people to learn as they needed. 2) Thailand promote religions in the form of subsidies for religions affairs to an administrative unit, religions education, and propagation. Moreover, there is coordination with the religions organizations to participate in driving social development projects defined by the government. 3) By compared with the Singapore model, there are 2 forms that Thailand should apply; 3.1 The effective promotion model is to develop the religious affairs that the state has already undertaken to have concrete and worthwhile results, 3.2) the model of creative religious control by using laws to prevent religions problems more than severe suppression in the religious crisis.

Published

2020-02-29

Issue

Section

Articles