1 AIT Asian Institute of Technology

An assessment of changwat planning in Thailand : a case study of Chanthaburi

AuthorPiracha, Awais Latif
Call NumberAIT RSPR no.HS-96-05
Subject(s)Rural development--Thailand--Chanthaburi

NoteA research study submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Science, School of Environment, Resources and Development
PublisherAsian Institute of Technology
Series StatementResearch studies project report ; no. HS-96-05
AbstractIn the overall landscape of the political and administrative structure of Thailand, Changwats are the most important level for coordination between various sector investments and planning. Decentralised Development Planning was introduced at this level about a couple of decades ago. Recently the planning effort at Changwat level has rapidly grown with a number of new cross-sectoral plans being prepared, and with a large number of central and provincial agencies involved in it. This study aims at putting the pieces of contemporary Changwat Planning together. It also tries to find, after its recent growth, how well organised is the Cross-Sectoral Planning at Changwat level. It also aims at finding suitable ways for simplification and streamlining. After introducing the issue, the report gives the details of the agencies involved in Changwat Planning. The compositions, the planning responsibilities, the strengths and weaknesses, and the relationships among these agencies have been included in this detail. A three tier assessment of the quality and level of integration among the cross-sectoral plans of the case study area, Chanthaburi, is then done. This is followed by an analysis of Changwat Planning Scene as a whole. The analysis indicates as to where the problems lie. A description of the initiatives that aim at improvement in Changwat planning is then given. In the last part of the study, a strategy for improvement and simplification of Changwat Planning has been described. According to the analysis in the report, there is no serious shortage of both human as well material resources needed for Changwat Planning. The available resources have, however, not been mobilised and managed properly. There is a serious lack of coordination among the planning agencies and as a result the Changwat planning efforts are not well integrated. The cross-sectoral plans of Changwat Chanthaburi, for instance, lack analysis and are contradictory in their recommendations. It is further learnt that the Changwat offices of the Department of Town Country Planning have substantial amount of planning capabilities. Their capabilities, however, are not being utilised to the fullest. The strategy proposed in this .report is based on the understanding that a lot of good efforts have been made for Changwat Planning and in a bid to simplify and streamline the Cross-Sector Changwat Planning these should be used to their fullest. It is proposed that instead of the current several a long term plan be prepared by the Changwats. A seven step procedure for preparation of this document is then outlined. Guidelines for extraction of fiveyear plans from the long-term plan are also given.
Year1996
Corresponding Series Added EntryAsian Institute of Technology. Research studies project report ; no. HS-96-05
TypeResearch Study Project Report (RSPR)
SchoolSchool of Environment, Resources, and Development (SERD)
DepartmentDepartment of Development and Sustainability (DDS)
Academic Program/FoSHuman Settlement (HS)
Chairperson(s)Kammeier, H. Detlef;
Examination Committee(s)Kaew Naulchawee;Tewari, V. K;Thapa, G. B.;
Scholarship Donor(s)German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD);Asian Institute of Technology Funding;
DegreeResearch Studies Project Report (M.B.A.) - Asian Institute of Technology, 1996


Usage Metrics
View Detail0
Read PDF0
Download PDF0