The Past, Present and Directions for the Future: The Relationship between Local Political Officials and Officials of Local Administrative Organizations in Thailand

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Sutthikeat Aungkaburana

Abstract

Close relationship between local political officials and officials of local administrative organizations makes it difficult to distinguish their roles and responsibilities while creating several problems concerning local governance. The purpose of this article is to bring problems into clear view and to propose practical guidelines for resolution. Findings show the existence of a variety of local governance problems, including problems of power system in personnel administration and local administration, problems of merit system in personnel administration, problems of corruption in local administrative organizations, and problems of conflicts and violence among local officials. To solve these problems, a model of new balance of local democracy, local independence, and merit system in local administration and personnel administration is proposed, alongside the principle of subsidiary. Under this approach, local political officials, i.e. governors of local administrative organizations and members of local administrative council, jointly exercise their power in personnel administration on the basis of justice and fair treats. To facilitate the process, the government should set up measures and mechanisms that allow political officials to effectively perform their duties while preventing them from the commission of an unlawful act, done in an official capacity, which affects the performance of administrative officials’ duties.

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References

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Interviewees
Osaklang, S. Chief Administrator of the SAO. 30 July 2020.
Rungruthaiwat, M. Director, Director of Local Personnel System Development Division. 23 July 2020.
Thamachawakun, S. Municipal Clerk. 15 July 2020.
Worasitthidamrong, P. Municipal Clerk. 30 June 2020.