#CivicEducation

Democracy is often seen as a product of Western political evolution, yet an increasing number of Thai thinkers, monks, and educators highlight that democratic principles—in their essence—can be found within Buddhist teachings and monastic life. Understanding “ประชาธิปไตยในพุทธศาสนา” (democracy in Buddhism) not only bridges religion and governance but also opens the way for Thai society to interpret civic values through familiar spiritual roots.

The interest in democratic aspects of Buddhism is not new to Thai discourse. In the context of ongoing national debates about good governance, civil rights, and social harmony, advocates such as monastic scholars and university educators have long argued that Buddhism has its own model of democracy—one based not on contesting power, but on shared deliberation, ethical consensus, and the dignity of every person. This argument resonates in a society where both Buddhism and democracy are deeply embedded, but whose coexistence is often contested in real-world politics and social structures.

As conversations around political extremism resurge globally, new research and public debates are highlighting the enduring lessons drawn from the history of fascism—reminding both policymakers and the public in Thailand and beyond of the dangers posed by authoritarian and ultranationalist ideologies. Scholars and civic commentators are intensifying calls for Thai society to critically engage with the multifaceted origins, rise, and traumatic impacts of fascist movements in the 20th century, warning that disregarding these histories risks allowing similar patterns to re-emerge in different forms.