Guidelines for Driving the Democracy Promotion and Development Center through Public Participation: A Case Study of Mueang Phichit District, Phichit Province

Abstract

      The purposes of this independent study were to 1) examine the levels of public participation in driving the Democracy Promotion and Development Center: A case study of Mueang Phichit District, Phichit Province, 2) compare personal factors and public participation in driving the Democracy Promotion and Development Center, and 3) propose guidelines for driving the Democracy Promotion and Development Center through public participation. The research employed a mixed-method approach Quantitative data were collected via questionnaires from 259 members of the Sub-district Democracy Promotion and Development Center committees in Mueang Phichit District. Qualitative data were obtained through in-depth interviews with five key informants selected through purposive sampling.Data analysis involved frequency, percentage, mean, standard deviation, t-test, and F-test.

           The research findings were as follows

1. The overall level of participation in driving the Center’s operations was at a high level (x̄ = 4.34). The aspect with the highest mean score was promoting accurate knowledge and understanding of the democratic system with the Constitutional Monarchy (x̄ = 4.37). The aspect with the lowest mean score was promoting participation in the electoral process and in the Center’s activities (x̄ = 4.28).

           2 The comparison of personal factors, including gender, age, educational level, occupation, monthly income, community position, and roles within the Democracy Promotion and Development Centers no significant differences in the overall level of public participation in driving the DPDC. Consequently, the research hypotheses were rejected.

1. The guidelines for driving the Democracy Promotion and Development Center should include an emphasis clarifying institutional roles and integrating civil society networks to foster proactive participation. By embedding democratic values into local ways of life and utilizing comprehensive communication and continuous human resource development, supported by adequate funding, genuine long-term sustainability can be achieved