THE PRACTICE OF PUBLIC SECTOR AND THE CREATION OF A PUBLIC SPACE TO DRIVE “PHATTHALUNG, THE CITY OF HAPPINESS”

Abstract

This research article It is part of an action research project. “Social innovation to build strong communities, the basis of democracy, Thai identity” which is participatory action research. (Participatory Action Research: PAR) aims to study the dynamics and operations of civil society and the creation of a central space to drive “Phatthalung, the city of happiness” The study found that the dynamics of public sector movements in Phatthalung Province It has continued in four eras, namely the first era: the formation of community organization movements. Happened since the end of the Communist Party of Thailand movement in the southern region after 1980. The second period was the arrival of the Social Investment Fund in 1997 until the Dispersion of areas that use community plans as tools of development. The third era: connecting a network of community organizations. The “Provincial Community Organization Coordinating Committee” was established to perform the duties of coordinating the network of community organizations in the province in 2001 and the fourth era, creating a unified provincial procession in 2019, with the “Council driving the community plan towards integrated local development in Phatthalung Province” as the central area for the drive. The results of the drive “Phatthalung, the metropolis of happiness” has led to 1) co-creation of a central area towards “Phatthalung, the city of happiness” 2) connecting networks of civil society across provinces and 3) driving and creating a common space in different contexts clearly.