Religious and Non-religious Giving in Thailand: An Economic Perspective

Abstract

Understanding religious and non-religious giving in Thailand will help us to comprehend the role of Buddhism on social reciprocity which is a necessary condition for policy recommendation to enhance the participatory development of Thai citizens. The study found that attending religious services on a regular basis does make people become more generous to both religious and non-religious contributions indicating the influence of Buddhism on socioeconomic development of Thailand. Highest educational achievement plays a major role on both money and time contributions. Education thus is a means not only to human capital formation but also to implanting the social reciprocal value to young generations. In addition, while government spending on religious boosts up the religious contributions, it in turn lessens the non-religious giving. But the level of an individual social capital significantly increases individual’s time volunteers to both religious and non-religious organizations. Government hence may consider diverting some of their religious spending towards community-based social capital accumulation by financing community activities that could enhance the civic participations. Furthermore, policy makers should encourage people to follow news on a daily basis to make people become aware of social needs. The accuracy and reliability of social media thus have an indirect influence on social reciprocity.

Keywords: Money and time contribution, Religious and Nonreligious giving, Social Capital, Participatory development