Guidelines for Improving Cooperative Laws to Promote Operations of Beef Cattle Cooperatives

Abstract

        The purposes of this study were to analyze the conditions and restrictions of the Cooperatives Act B.E. 2542 (1999), which are problems and obstacles in the production and trade of live beef cattle by beef cooperatives, and to suggest methods to improve and facilitate the operations of beef cooperatives. This study concentrates on qualitative research by collecting data through in-depth interviews, focus groups, and participant observation on beef cattle cooperatives. The results indicated that the most significant restrictions are the prohibition on accepting associate members from outside the area in accordance with the Registrar of Cooperatives' announcement on the relationship between associate members and cooperative members, and the prohibition on juristic persons being associate members, section 41, paragraph  2. The law also prohibits online cooperative board meetings, per section 58, which essentially authorizes the registrar to issue announcements, per section 16(8). Therefore, improvement guidelines should minimize these conditions and restrictions in order to support beef cooperative operations and advance the Thai beef industry more effectively.