Driving Strategic Provincial Policies and Spatial Development: A Case Study of the Chachoengsao Provincial Community Development Office

Abstract

This research aimed to investigate: 1) the results of implementing provincial strategic policies into local practice, 2) the factors affecting the implementation, and 3) the problems and obstacles in translating provincial strategic policies into local practice by the Chachoengsao Provincial Community Development Office. This qualitative study employed document analysis and semi-structured interviews to collect data from five key informants. These informants comprised the head of the provincial government agency (the Chachoengsao Provincial Community Development Officer), the Director of the Community Development Strategy Group, and officers responsible for formulating projects and plans within the Community Development Strategy Group. The research findings revealed that the implementation of provincial strategic policies into local practice by the Chachoengsao Provincial Community Development Office over the past three years had successfully achieved its targeted effectiveness. The factors affecting the strategic policy implementation into the local area consisted of four elements: tasks, budget, systems, and personnel. Meanwhile, several problems and obstacles in policy implementation included differing perspectives on area development goals, delayed budget approvals, and the diverse geographical and spatial conditions of Chachoengsao Province.