Factors Affecting People's Participation in the Preparation of a 5-year Local Development Plan of Thasopchai Subdistrict Municipality, Mae Tha District, Lamphun Province

Abstract

Background and Aims: Preparation of a 5-year local development plan, which is a tool for determining local operational guidelines and a framework for budgeting annual income and expenditures for that locality. Therefore, it is necessary to have people in the area participate to determine the methods of action. Local problem-solving and development approaches can respond to the needs of local people as efficiently and effectively as possible. Thus, the objectives of this research, the factors affecting public participation in the preparation of the 5-year local development plan of Thasobchai Subdistrict Municipality, Mae Tha District, Lamphun Province were 1) the level of factors affecting public participation in the preparation of the 5-year local development plan, 2) the level of public participation in the preparation of the 5-year local development plan, 3) the factors affecting public participation in the preparation of the 5-year local development plan and 4) the suggestions on increasing efficiency in promoting public participation in the preparation of a 5-year local development plan of Thasobchai Subdistrict Municipality, Mae Tha District, Lamphun Province.

Methodology: This research is based on quantitative research. According to Yamane’s thought, the samples in this research were 365 people who had the right to vote in Thasopchai Subdistrict Municipality, Mae Tha District, Lamphun Province from stratified random sampling and simple random sampling. The research tool was a 5-point rating scale questionnaire with a reliability of 0.98. The collected data was analyzed using a computer program. The data analysis statistics were percentage, mean standard deviation, and multiple linear regression statistics.

Results:  (1) the level of factors affecting public participation in the preparation of the 5-year local development plan in overall was at a moderate level,  (2) the level of public participation in the preparation of the 5-year local development plan in overall was at a moderate level, (3) there were 8 factors affecting public participation in the preparation of the municipality's 5-year local development plan of Thasopchai Subdistrict, Mae Tha District, Lamphun Province: education level factor, occupation factor, housing area factor, the role of community leaders factor, public awareness factor, policy and government organization factor, benefit factors and communication and public relations factors; with statistical significance at the level of .05, and (4) the suggestions on the factors affecting in 5 years were: the municipality should provide training for stakeholders and people in the area convincing the importance of the 5-year local development plan and make it even more efficient and should encourage people to participate in projects or activities of the municipality such as being a representative in the committee related to the municipality’s operations and attend local community meetings and share useful opinions for further local development.

Conclusion: The level of factors affecting public participation in the preparation of the 5-year local development plan of Tasobchai Subdistrict Municipality, Mae Tha District, Lamphun Province is at a moderate level and consists of 8 factors that affect public participation such as education, occupation, and the role of community leaders. public awareness of Government policies and organizations' Benefits and communication. In addition, recommendations include organizing training to increase personnel and citizens' understanding of the importance of the 5-year local development plan to increase the efficiency of the development plan and encourage citizens to play roles such as representatives on committees and attend meetings to express opinions that are useful for further local development.