| Author | Darin Khongsatjaviwat |
| Call Number | AIT Diss. no.RD-14-05 |
| Subject(s) | Rural development--Thailand--Phitsanulok
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| Note | A dissertation submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy in Regional and Rural Development Planning |
| Publisher | Asian Institute of Technology |
| Abstract | This dissertation analyzes the structures and functions of local institutions in Thailand and their roles in contributing to overall rural development. Findings in the field research of this study indicate that following decentralization policy changes, the Tambon Administrative Organization (TAO) as a form of local government for rural areas in Thailand is responsible for activities beyond its capacity to deliver effectively with the current support allocated. The development activities at the local level cannot be effective without adequate support of the national government and supplemented by development grants. TAOs are unable to effectively deliver the expectations of the people due to the limited financial resources at their disposal. The supply of adequate central government grants to local governments on a regular basis is crucial for meeting local needs and for achieving anything substantial. Despite the efforts made by local governments to increase their internal revenue, it remains a very meager share with reference to the total amount needed for local development. Hence, central government‘s commitment and responsibility to these organizations needs to include additional funding. According to surveys in the study two of the most valued people‘s expectations were constructing and maintaining the infrastructure and the need for vocational training. The highest expectation for economic development was in constructing and maintaining the infrastructure. The respondents were also highly satisfied with the capacity of TAOs in providing and maintaining infrastructure services. People‘s expectations and the capacity of the CBOs go hand in hand and have been very important in the context of rural development. The CBOs are able to perform their roles and functions better than the TAOs, as reflected in the conservation of natural resources and meeting the felt needs and expectations of the people. The study has found that the capacities of the CBOs are higher than those of the TAOs. Basically, the CBOs are focused on the capacity building of the community in terms of addressing basic and socioeconomic needs in achieving sustainable development. The TAOs have remained focused as local governmental and political institutions in order to promote democracy in the locality. It was also revealed that the benefits of CBOs in economic aspects are higher than those of the TAOs. In other words, the performance of CBOs is more effective in rural development than the TAOs. CBOs are also able to fulfill the people‘s expectations much more than the TAOs because the majority of CBOs have been formed based on their interest in economic development. The common factor is that both TAOs and CBOs are weak in strengthening people‘s participation in local activities and development agenda, and lack administrative skills, participatory monitoring, and evaluation methods for rural development. |
| Year | 2014 |
| Type | Dissertation |
| School | School of Environment, Resources, and Development (SERD) |
| Department | Department of Development and Sustainability (DDS) |
| Academic Program/FoS | Rural Development, Gender and Resources (RD) |
| Chairperson(s) | Routray, Jayant Kumar; |
| Examination Committee(s) | Helmsing, A.H.J.;Ahmad, Mokbul M.;Sununta Siengthai; |
| Scholarship Donor(s) | Naresuan University, Thailand;Asian Institute of Technology Fellowship; |
| Degree | Thesis (Ph.D.) - Asian Institute of Technology, 2014 |