Formulating Participatory Development Model Approaches to Propel the Community-Driven Plan in Bang Phasi Sub-District, Bang Len District, Nakhon Pathom Province

Abstract

This research article focused on three core objectives: 1) identifying key factors that influence public involvement in advancing the local development plan; 2) designing a participatory approach to guide the local development plan; and 3) formulating a framework for engaging the public in propelling the local development plan within Bang Phasi Subdistrict, Bang Len District, Nakhon Pathom Province. Conducted as a qualitative study, it gathered insights from 20 key informants, all of whom played active roles in the local development planning process within the area. The research utilized document analysis alongside content analysis for interpreting the data.

The findings reveal the following: 1. Factors impacting public involvement in Bang Phasi Subdistrict include a solid understanding of the planning process to enable thoughtful feedback, a strong sense of civic duty and collective responsibility, backing from governmental and community entities to encourage inclusive contributions, community networks and leadership fostering collaboration, and the use of technological communication platforms to support information sharing and broaden participation opportunities. 2. Building engagement in driving the local development plan begins with fostering awareness and knowledge through accessible channels of communication, then extends to creating spaces where people can voice their opinions through community fora or interviews. Next, organizing and analyzing the collected data is followed by prioritizing issues and developing responsive plans, culminating in the implementation of monitoring, evaluation, and iterative updates aimed at ensuring transparency and sustainability. 3. Key participation-driving activities include conducting training programs and workshops to cultivate understanding of the plan and citizens’ roles, facilitating community discussions and focus groups to gather diverse perspectives, and establishing participatory committees for ongoing oversight of the development plan, ensuring both transparency and impactful outcomes.