The Evolution of Spirituality and the Community Management in Thailand: A Case Study on the Baha’i Faith in Omkoi and Yasothon, Thailand

Abstract

Southeast Asia is long been with the name of the Land of diversities. As long as ethnic diversities, religious diversities is also relevant to Southeast Asia especially in Thailand. This paper is emphasize on find out the evolution of a newly merged religion in Thailand-the Baha’i Faith and it’s significant spirituality practices in various communities in this country. As a Theravadin Buddhist nation, manor religious such as Baha’i faith was rare discussed by the academia in Thailand, a case study on this topic will present a clear picture of unseen Baha’i communities of these two countries. The research will focus on urbanized Baha’i communities in Bangkok and Chiangmai rural counterparts in Yasothon and Omkoi, by using comparative studies of related literature and quantitative interviews to find out the similarities and differences in polarized Thai urban and rural spacers. Practically through the finding we will manage to learn the comparable success of Baha’i Faith in managing it’s community in a specialized way of practice. Furthermore, more investigations will be made on Baha’i spirituality as it could be practiced to our daily lives and make contributions to our social progress.