ABSTRACT
Diverse groups migrating from the North and Northwest over a period of thousands of years are crowding into the northern Thai hills where their movement is stopped by a combination of political, social and geographical factors. During the period April to September 1980, an investigation was carried out into the role of Thai Buddhist monks in rural development in the north of Thailand. Chao Khun Rajavinayaporn, Assistant Abbot of the Wat Chedi Luang and Chao Kana Changwat of all Dhammayut wats north of Nakorn Sawan, is well known for his work among the hill tribes. The Wat Bupparan serves as an administrative centre for all Maha Nikai wats in Doi Saket District. Both Dhammayut and Maha Nikai wats in Chiang Mai are becoming increasingly involved in the education of women. The main emphasis of the Wat Phra Singh appears to be on academic education, and there was little evidence of any active development work.
