THE PARTICIPATION OF CITIZENS IN PUBLIC POLICY AT THE LOCAL LEVEL. MUNICIPALITY OFFENSE NONGBUA LAMPHU PROVINCE

Abstract

The objectives of this research were: to study people’s participation in local public policy; to compare participation in local public policy; and to find guidelines for people’s participation in local public policy of Nongbua Lamphu Municipality, Nongbua Lamphu province. Sampling groups of 378 households used in this research include the heads of the households living in Nongbua Lamphu municipality, Nongbua Lamphu province. The sample size was specified by using Yamane's formula. The instruments used in this study were questionnaires consisting 3 parts and the statistics used for data analysis is the descriptive statistics including mean, percentage, standard deviation and inferential statistics were t-test and f-test and Pearson's Product Moment Correlation Coefficient.

              The results of the research were as the followings:

              People’s participation in local public policy of Nongbua Lamphu Municipality, Nongbua Lamphu Province was overall at a moderate level (= 3.27, SD = 0.33). When considering by aspect, it was found that the aspect with the highest mean was the participation in operations (= 3.54, SD = 0.61), followed by the participation in receiving benefits (= 3.29, SD = 0.52) and participation in evaluation (= 3.19, SD = 0.36) respectively. The least mean aspect was participation such as participation in decision making (= 3.08, SD = 0.30).

              The results of comparative analysis of people’s participation in local public policy of Nongbua Lamphu Municipality, Nongbua Lamphu province, classified by gender, age, education and occupation, found that gender, age, education and occupation differed significantly at the .05 level.

              Guidelines for people’s participation in local public policy of Nongbua Lamphu Municipality, Nongbua Lamphu province, it was found that  the people still lack participation in various aspects including: drafting of the ordinances of the municipality regarding the projects or public policy; planning program and project or public policy; analyzing problems and needs of the people in the community in order to design projects or public policy; receiving the public information in public policy; participating in community meetings to propose problems and needs; and participating in public policy of Nongbua Lamphu municipality.