A Study of Sustainable Thai Niyom Policy: Mechanisms, Processes, and Policy Coherence, Case Study of Mueang Pathum Thani District, Pathum Thani Province

Abstract

The purposes of this research were to study the mechanism, process, and coherence between the results of the achievement assessment and the objectives of the Sustainable Thai Popularity Policy (Thai Niyom Yangyuen Policy), a case study of Mueang Pathum Thani District, Pathum Thani Province. This was a qualitative study. It was a documentary research focusing on studying and researching academic textbooks, official documents, and in-depth interviews using  purposive sampling consisting of 1) people in Mueang Pathum Thani area who attended the community forum for 4 times and participated in the project to improve the quality of life to drive the fundamental economy according to the Sustainable Thai Niyom Project (two hundred thousand baht per village/community) for 7 sub-districts, 3 people per one sub-district, total 21 people; and 2) the country's development driving team according to the Sustainable Thai Niyom Project consisted of 7 people in the sub-district level. The results of the research revealed that 1) the mechanisms driving the country's development according to the sustainable Thai Niyom Project at all 4 levels was appointed by government officials or officials in all government agencies. There was no real role for people to participate in the project which was inconsistent with the objectives that wanted people to participate in the development of the country. The process of driving the country's development according to the Sustainable Thai Niyom Project was the implementation of the policy in a top-down manner; and 3) the country's development drive according to the Sustainable Thai Niyom Project had not been successful in solving economic, social and security problems in villages/communities in Mueang Pathum Thani area and did not provide an opportunity for people to participate in the development of the country as stipulated in the policy objectives, but only for political gains which was inconsistent with the policy.