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The International Journal of the Royal Society of Thailand
Volume XI - 2019

Moral Behaviour

in Contemporary Thai Society

Puntip Sirivunnabood 1

Abstract

Moral behavior in contemporary Thai society is the important principle
to live by in Thailand. Nowadays Thailand is facing the rapid changes, but
somehow, the results of the research study obtained some insight into the
explain of the belief of Thai people concerning morality. Thai people have
good moral cognitions. The only strong problem they face is how to over come
temptation, and behave in ways in which they believe.

Keywords: moral behavior; morality; strong problem; temptation; Thai society

Introduction

Thailand is now facing the rapid changes resulting from progress in
technology and social innovation. Thailand nowadays become more industrialized,
materialistic values and culture that derive from the more industrialized countries
can be expected to become more dominant. Competition for material advantage
and survival to become more and more aggressive. The material changes have
led to materialistic values to clarify concepts related to moral and ethical values.

Nowadays, there are two important viewpoints in the study of morality:
The first is the cognitivist viewpoint of Lawrence Kohlberg. Kohlberg’s theory is
particularly attractive to psychologists and philosophers because he has ventured
into the grey area between psychology and philosophy and because of his insight
into ways to make relevant empirical measurements. This insight together with
the refinement and increasing weight of empirical data makes him a successful
pioneer in a field that often appears dark and hopeless. Kohlberg (1970: 182–183)
defined his moral stages as follows:

1 The Royal Society of Thailand, Sanam Suea Pa, Dusit, Bangkok 10300

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