Reflection from the Election of the Subdistrict Administrative Organization (SAO), B.E. 2564
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Abstract
Thailand has two main forms of local government: the general form, which is distributed throughout the country from the top to the bottom level, namely the Provincial Administrative Organization, the Municipality, and the Subdistrict Administrative Organization; and the sub-district administrative organization. (SAO) and a specific version are available in two locations: Bangkok and Pattaya. On November 28, 2021, the government authorized lower-level local elections after a nearly eight-year hiatus, namely the Elections of the Subdistrict Administrative Organization, totaling 5,300, by holding a single simultaneous election across the country (76 provinces), in order for voters in each Subdistrict Administrative Organization area to select their representatives, namely the President and members of the Sub-District Administrative Organization.
The research article consisted of the following objectives: 1) Thai society has a higher expectation for the elections of the Subdistrict Administrative Organization than in the past, with the new generation voting more frequently, being more politically involved, and being more competitive than before. Electoral winners are not instruments of any party, and they are committed to maintaining a good project with decentralization to strengthen the community; 2) Both positive and negative reflection has been received following the election of the Subdistrict Administrative Organization; and 3) The guidelines for resolving election of the Sub-District Administrative Organization include: highlighting candidates' qualifications for actual action in the field; providing opportunities for the next generation by limiting candidates' ages for the Subdistrict Administrative Organization to 25-30 years; lifting the ban for two terms in a row; when certain incumbents are terminated, they can run for re-election immediately and serve only the remaining of their term; crossing and in-advance electoral district boundaries by using IT system; a constant and consistent election; distributing resources of the Subdistrict Administrative Organization appropriately for the area and enhancing the civil registration system to accommodate such an approach.
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