Establishment of Inter-local Governance Cooperation Case Study Eastern Thailand: Key Success Factors and Barriers

Abstract

          The objective of this study is to study the factors that affect the success. And obstacles found in the process of establishing a cooperative unit of a local governance organization to provide public services by using qualitative research methods by document study and in-depth interviews, both individually and in groups from key informants, consisting of Local administrators, Local official Commissioner of the Department of Local Administration Expert ,Private sector representatives and the people’s representatives a total of 26 peoples, using the case study from the cooperation unit of the local governance organization to provide 3 public services in Chonburi, Chachoengsao and Chanthaburi provinces, representing the eastern region.

          The study found that most successful factors for establishing cooperation involved the roles of external agencies, shared vision from leaders, and core local governance leadership. Barriers to established cooperation consisted of legal restrictions, lack of knowledge and understanding, no sense of advantages, and lack experience especially core local. Results were that international agencies may impose some initial developments. Using service contracts, some service providers use high tariffs to local service  buyers, causing pressure on excluded locals. In case of conflict, the crisis results in network collapse. Political factions govern provincial political conditions. The cooperation policy arena may not be affected. Under significant conditions such as intense demand, government officials are the main protagonists.

          These findings suggest that inter-local cooperation, including policy makers, should support legal entity forms of legislations, incentives and facilities, and establish cooperation between localities at the upper and lower levels in all provinces, while focusing on cooperative measures with rural areas. Urban areas should focus on amalgamation.