Challenges in Formulating Local Development Plans in Thailand

Abstract

This academic article aims to analyze the challenges in local development planning in Thailand, focusing on causal analysis and the synthesis of knowledge from relevant literature under the conceptual frameworks of decentralization and New Public Management (NPM). This study employs a systematic literature review of research papers, academic articles, and policy documents to understand the dynamics of the issues across structural, procedural, and public participation dimensions.

The findings reveal that the challenges in Thailand's local development planning are structural in nature, stemming from a misalignment between central government legal mandates and the actual contexts and needs of local areas. Key constraints include the complexity, rigidity, and delays of Ministry of Interior regulations; budget limitations; a shortage of specialized personnel; and a lack of systematic coordination and integration among national, provincial, and local strategies. Furthermore, the local public forum process still lacks mechanisms for genuine civic engagement. The synthesis also indicates that the causal factors of these challenges can be categorized into three dynamically interconnected levels: policy structure, administrative systems, and civic behavior.