Participatory Governance for Citizen Empowerment: A Case Study of Thung Song Municipality, Nakhon Si Thammarat Province
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Abstract
This research aims to analyze and synthesize a model of participatory governance for citizen empowerment through a case study of Thung Song Municipality, Nakhon Si Thammarat Province. The study utilizes the “Citizen Empowerment Participatory Governance” (CEPG) framework, developed by the researcher, to explain the dynamic relationships between Participatory Structures (PS), Empowerment Mechanisms (EM), Citizen Voice (CV), Power Dynamics (PD), and Accountability Mechanisms (AM). This qualitative case study employed in-depth interviews, observation, and documentary analysis. A purposive sample of 35 key informants were selected from both municipal sectors and civil society. Data were analyzed through inductive content analysis.
The findings reveal that (1) flexible Participatory Structures (PS) and Empowerment Mechanisms (EM) enhance the influence of Citizen Voice (CV), enabling it to become a transformative force. (2) Although hidden and embedded forms of Power Dynamics (PD) persist in Thung Song Municipality, Accountability Mechanisms (AM) have begun to challenge power imbalances and foster a culture of constructive oversight. (3) The developed CEPG model illustrates a dynamic and recursive relationship among PS, EM, CV, PD, and AM, which collectively propel a transition toward “meaningful citizen empowerment,” where citizens function as “co-governance” and “co-creators.” Additionally, it was found that facilitative local leadership and local cultural capital play significant roles in fostering informal horizontal governance networks.
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