The Policy-Making Process in Local Administrative Organizations: : A Case Study of Local Administrative Organizations in Lamae District, Chumphon Province

Abstract

This research article, titled “The Policy-Making Process in Local Administrative Organizations: : A Case Study of Local Administrative Organizations in Lamae District, Chumphon Province,” aims to achieve three primary objectives: (1) to analyze the influence of political elites and local bureaucrats on policy direction; (2) to explore interest exchange and public participation in practical dimensions; and (3) to link the socio-economic base of Chumphon with the dynamics of public policy formulation. This qualitative research employs a methodology consisting of document analysis combined with in-depth interviews, framed within David Easton’s (1965) Systems Theory and Fred W. Riggs’s (1964) Political Ecology framework. The research findings are as follows : (1) Regarding the influence of political elites and local bureaucrats, current policy-making is not merely a top-down directive from the central government; rather, it is the product of negotiation and interest alignment between modern agricultural capital groups and traditional leadership networks to uplift the grassroots economy, such as durian and mangosteen farmers. Local bureaucrats serve as agents who technically filter these policies in accordance with newly enacted Ministry of Interior regulations. (2) Regarding interest exchange and public participation, the study reveals that the most significant knowledge contribution is the “Area-based Partnership Governance” concept. This approach applies principles of digital governance and participation via village-level LINE groups—a mechanism that serves as a highly effective tool for oversight and checks and balances. Consequently, policies concerning welfare and water management have enhanced quality of life and generated political legitimacy in the long term, demonstrating superiority over past administrative models. (3) Regarding the link between Chumphon’s socio-economic base and public policy dynamics, the study emphasizes that true decentralization requires more than just the transfer of functions or budget allocations; it requires the devolution of decision-making power that enables local communities to design their own future through robust community forums and transparent negotiations under the rule of law. If local governments can elevate their management to function as “High-Quality Local Administrative Organizations (specifically five organizations in Lamae District)” that prioritize the coordination of interests between the executive branch, the council, and the public based on factual data, it will strengthen the intellectual infrastructure and democratic resilience of Thailand from the grassroots to the international level. Furthermore, this will enable the country to successfully navigate the world of volatility with greater balance.