People Demands on Public Services Provided by Sub-District Administrative Organizations: Recommendations for Decentralization from the Bottom

Abstract

It has been found that in Thailand in the past, decentralization in providing public services to sub-district administrative organizations has been partially giving the authority to local administrative organization. An overlapping of work tasks and responsible areas occurred, thus the organization cannot fully provide public services to people. This research aims to hear the voices of people in order to know their true demands on how they want the public services to be like. The researcher conducted in-depth interviews and distributed questionnaires to participants. The results of interviews and questionnaires were analyzed to further make policy recommendations to the central state organization. This could be a part to indicate the policy framework, power scope, and the work tasks to provide public services of sub-district administrative organization in a clearer picture. The result found that public services that people demands Khamnadee sub-district administrative organization in Phonthong district, Roi-Et province to do can be listed in 7 categories (in total of 43 sections). Khamnadee sub-district administrative organization can only provide 23 public service sections but its power was still insufficient lacks in providing 20 other public service sections