ABSTRACT

              The Objectives of this research were to 1) study ASEAN historical background; 2) study the Thai Buddhists’ readiness preparation for ASEAN Community; 3) make analytical study of Thai Buddhists’ preparation for ASEAN Community.

              The study applied qualitative research focusing on documentary survey the methodology covered 1) surveyed and gathered related documentary data from research work, articles, texts, book, records, media and e-media; 2) gathered and set order to data and analyzed explained and rationalized the data with the goal to utmost understanding; 3) concluded and presented the data analysis.

              The study results revealed that:

1.       ASEAN Community originated in 1967 from segregation of 5 Southeast Asian Countries: Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore and Thailand. Their aim was to prevent the Communist terrorism. The official name at that time was Association of Southeast Asian Nations – ASEAN. At present there are10 country members. In October 2003, the ASEAN leaders sign in the Cooperative ASEAN MOU and set up ASEAN Community to cope with the global political and social complexity. Besides, the ASEAN Community’s aim to perfect cooperative one community was planned to be accomplished in 2015.

2.       According to the Thai Buddhists preparation to join ASEAN Community’s three pillars, the concern included: 1) the government organization related to be responsible for taking care of Buddhism namely National Office of Buddhism and Department of Religious Affairs, Ministry of Culture had planned to make preparation on personal, location, organization potentiality , budget and IT development; 2) Sangha Organizations: Mahachulalongkornrajavidyalaya University and Mahamakut Buddhist University made preparation on their students, personal, curriculum, budget, IT and outside sector coordination; 3) Private Sectors: International Buddhist Park Foundation and Kalayanadhamma Club made preparation on location, and IT.

3.       Relating to the analysis on preparation to become ASEAN Community showed that the first two organizations had already prepared themselves to cope up with becoming ASEAN Community. They set up promoted activities involving staff training as well as the workshops to upgrade their organization particularly the National Buddhism Office and Department of Buddhism. Only one thing was not included in the development program was language skill preparation. For the two Buddhist Universities had many preparation activities and programs including curriculum and English language development of which the internet and websites information had been prepared and operated. Concerning the two private sectors activities, the Foundation had planned to prepare their sites readiness in form of International Buddhist Parks Establishment. The Kalayanadhamma Club had prepared for IT readiness by having website information in English. However, their ASEAN languages preparation was still on line.