FAITH‑BASED RECREATION IN THAILAND’S SACRED MOUNTAIN AREAS: FAITH, FATIGUE, AND TRANSCENDENCE

Abstract

The transition into an aging society in the twenty-first century has created substantial structural challenges to the holistic well-being of older adults and individuals with chronic illnesses. Within the Thai context, a distinctive form of participation has emerged through pilgrimage activities on sacred mountains, where spiritual devotion is deeply intertwined with demanding physical exertion. This article aims to 1) analyze the participation of older adults and chronic illness patients in faith-based recreational activities within the Thai cultural context; 2) apply the Faith–Fatigue–Transcendence Model (FFT Model) to explain the transitional mechanism through which faith and fatigue are transformed into transcendence that nurtures vitality and self-development toward Active Aging (Phruetthaphlang); 3) examine the connections between mountain pilgrimage and the spiritual, social, and holistic dimensions of recreation among older adults; and 4) propose development guidelines for faith-based recreational spaces and activities that sustainably foster Active Aging in Thai society. This study synthesizes academic literature and field observations from Khao Khitchakut, Khao Wong Phrachan, and Phu Lanka. The synthesis reveals that older adults do not perceive fatigue as a barrier but regard it as a ritual mechanism that unites faith, effort, and contemplative practice, ultimately giving rise to a state of transcendence. This transformative process generates meaning, belief, and hope, which form the foundation of vitality and the emergence of active aging. The findings broaden the conceptual scope of recreation to include cultural and spiritual dimensions within the Thai context. Furthermore, the authors introduce the FFT Model to explain the role of sacred landscapes as recreational environments that support meaning-making, vitality, and holistic well-being. Practical recommendations are also presented regarding spatial design, safety management, and accessibility enhancement aligned with participants’ capabilities, with the intention of strengthening the use of cultural capital to improve the quality of life of older adults in Thailand.