| Author | Apiradee Worathongchai |
| Call Number | AIT Thesis no.RD-01-12 |
| Subject(s) | Rural development projects--Thailand--Citizen participation
|
| Note | A thesis submitted in partial fulfillment of requirement for the requirements for the degree of
Master of Science, School of Environment, Resources and Development
|
| Publisher | Asian Institute of Technology |
| Abstract | The cunent Thai constitution and the Eighth National Economic and Social Development
Plan (1997-2001) has focused on people-centered development and decentralization is the
main element to achieve this leading to sustainable development. The Ares-FunctionParticipation (AFP) approach has been applying in the cunent national plan to strengthen
local planning conducted by Tambon Administrative Organization (TAO), which is a
decentralize local government in Thailand mainly is responsible for rural development.
The research deals with the study on the capacity assessment of TAO in decentralized rural
development on their roles and responsibilities, their application of AFP approach in local
planning process as well as people's feedback on the TAO projects and the enabling
environment that facilitates or constrains TAO projects.
The research was conducted in two Tambons namely Bang Ta Tane and Bann Kum in
Song Pee Nong District, Suphanburi Province. Bang Ta Tane TAO has applied the AFP
approach in local planning while Ban Kum TAO did not. The obvious different outcomes
of development between the two Tambons were found from a variety of projects, the level
of people's participation and human resource development to met community
strengthening. Certain factors contributing to the capacity of TAO, the effective
application of the AFP approach and the enabling environment were identified in this
research.
The research illustrated that people-centered development requires the high level of
people's participation in every stage of planning process. The AFP approach is the main
element and the enabling environment is the vehicle to build up a strong community. The
performance of Bang Ta Tane TAO showed that the leadership and creativity to initiate
new approach of development while the existing centralized administration still remains in
Ban Kun TAO, which constrains its further development to the direction as stipulated in
the cunent national plan.
Several key recommendations were given to TAO and relevant government agencies to
enhance the capacity of TAO. These include the review of TAO roles and responsibilities,
the strengthening the application of AFP approach, improving favorable environment to
facilitate TAO development and capacity building program to be provided to enhance the
TAO capacity in a long run. Based on the findings from this study a holistic development
perspective was given as a strategy for further development of the decentralized rural
development in Thailand. |
| Year | 2001 |
| Type | Thesis |
| 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) | Soparth Pongquan |
| Examination Committee(s) | Weber, Karl E. ; Routray, Jayant K. |
| Scholarship Donor(s) | Energy Conservation Promotion Fund
Royal Thai Government (RTG-HRD Phase 2) |
| Degree | Thesis (M.Sc.) - Asian Institute of Technology, 2001 |