THE NECESSITY OF CONTINUITY THE VILLAGE HEADMEN WITHIN THE CONTEXT OF MUNICIPAL GOVERNMENT: MULTI-CASE STUDIES IN PATHUMTHANI, CHONBURI, CHIANGMAI, SONGKHLA, RATCHABURI, AND BURIRAM PROVINCES IN THAILAND

บทคัดย่อ

This research aims to 1) examine the necessity of maintaining the Village Headmen institution within municipal contexts in Thailand, 2) analyze variations in their roles across different levels of urbanization, and 3) propose policy recommendations for redefining Village Headmen roles in alignment with the provincial administration framework. This qualitative study uses documentary analysis, structured interviews, and focus groups. Thirty-three key informants including provincial and district officials, local executives, village headmen, community leaders, and residents were selected through purposive and snowball sampling to capture diverse governance perspectives. Data were collected in six municipalities across Thailand, representing diverse regions and urbanization levels. Interviews, focus groups, and document analysis were examined using thematic content analysis, with methodological triangulation employed to strengthen the credibility and validity of the findings. The study finds that the necessity of Village Headmen varies by urbanization level. Their roles are less essential in highly urbanized areas but remain crucial in semi-urban and rural communities for coordination, mediation, public order, and information verification. Their continued relevance requires clearer roles, stronger municipal coordination, and legal reforms supporting collaborative leadership.