PROVINCE-LEVEL STRATEGIC FORMULATION FOR ENHANCING NATIONAL STRATEGY SUCCESS: A CASE STUDY OF TAK PROVINCE

Abstract

This research aimed at studying strategic environment of Tak Province and formulate province-level strategy for enhancing national strategy success. Qualitative research approach was employed in this study. Filed trip with in-depth interview was used as the research tool for collecting data from 120 community leaders, executives, governmental officers, planning specialists, and strategic specialists through snowball sampling method. Data analysis employed content analysis.

The result from using SWOT analysis reveals that Tak Province has strength in terms of natural tourism, border contacted with Myanmar, long-period cultural heritage and 4th rank in biggest province. In the meantime, there are weakness in terms of low-income population, drought area, insufficient provincial utilities, and low level of job creation. In addition, the opportunity side indicates that the province has nine provinces contact, cross-border economic development, free trade area, and high foreign visitors. Lastly, the treat side reveals that Thailand has low economic growth, less political stability and epidemic diseases. Moreover, the study related to strategic formulation reveals that there are 10 strategies that can enhance national strategy success, which these include 1) to promote Tak Province to be tourism places; 2) to promote cross-border trade; 3) to promote agricultural area; 4) to promote job creation in the community; 5) to establish utility systems such as electricity, water supply and transportation; 6) to enhance network of provincial product distribution channels; 7) to promote the local public health system; 8) to provide agricultural land for communities; 9) to develop water sources for sustainable agriculture; and 10) to promote democratic form of government with the King as head of state.