50 Public Administration in Southeast Asia
Graham, W.A. (1912). Siam: A Handbook of Practical Commercial and Political Information. London: De La More Press.
McCargo, D. and Ukrist, P. (2004). The Thaksinization of Thailand. Copenhagen: Nordic Institute of Asian Studies Press.
Neher, C.D. (1976). Modern Thai Politics: From Village to Nation. Cambridge, MA: Schenkman.
Neher, C.D. and Bidhya Bowornwathana (1988). “Thai and Western Studies of Politics in Thailand,” Asian Thought and Society, 11, 16–27.
Noranittipadungkarn, C. (1984). Somdej Phraboromwongthur kromphraya Damrong Rajanubhab kap Krasuang Manatthai [HRH Prince Damrong Rajanubhab and the Minister of Interior]. Bangkok: Odeonstore.
Pasuk, P. and Chris Baker (2004). Thaksin: The Business of Politics in Thailand. Bangkok: Silkworm Books. Phumisak, C. (1957). Chom Na Sakdina [The face of feudalism]. Nitisaek Journal, Thammasat University. Punyaratabandhu, S. and Daniel H. Unger (2009). “Managing Performance in a Context of Political
Clientelism: The Case of Thailand,” in Clay Wescott, Bidhya Bowornwathana, and Lawrence R. Jones (eds), The Many Faces of Public Management: Moving Ahead Amidst Challenges and Opportunities in Emerging Markets and in Di cult Times. Bingley, UK:: JAI Press, Emerald Group, 279–306.
Rabibhadana, A. (1976). “The Organization of Thai Society in the Early Bangkok Period, 1782–1873,” in Clark D. Neher (ed.), Modern Thai Politics: From Village to Nation. Cambridge, MA: Schenkman Publishing Company, 39–53.
Reeve, W.D. (1951). Public Administration in Siam. London: Royal Institute of International Affairs.
Riggs, F. (1966). Thailand: The Modernization of a Bureaucratic Polity. Honolulu, HI: East-West Center Press. Scott, J.C. (1972). Comparative Political Corruption. Englewood Cliffs, NJ: Prentice-Hall.
Siri P. (1971). Phra Borom Rajja Chakrit Wong: Pramuan phra barom chai yaluck lae phra raja prawat kola raja kan [The Chakrit dynasty: royal portraits and history]. Phra Nakorn: Sawapha Printing Office.
Siffin, W.J. (1966). The Thai Bureaucracy: Institutional Change and Development. Honolulu, HI: East-West Center Press.
Suwannathat-Pian, K. (2003). Kings, Country and Constitutions: Thailand’s Political Development 1932–2000. London and New York: Routledge Curzon, Taylor and Francis.
Terwiel, B.J. (1989). Through Travellers’ Eyes: An Approach to Nineteenth-Century Thai History. Bangkok: Duang Komol.
Traimat, C. (2007). Komun Purnthan Jetsiphapi Prachatippatai thai 2475–2550 [Basic data on 75 years of democracy in Thailand 1932–2007]. Bangkok: Sukum Lae Butra.
Wales, H.G. Quaritch (1934). Ancient Siamese Government and Administration. London: Bernard Quaritch. Wilson, D.A. (1962). Politics in Thailand. Ithaca, NY: Cornell University Press.
Wyatt, D.K. (1976). “Family Politics in Nineteenth Century Thailand,” in Clark D. Neher, (ed.), Modern Thai Politics: From Village to Nation. Cambridge, MA: Schenkman Publishing Company, 54–72.
Appendix A
Chronological development of public administration systems in Thailand
1238–1438 |
Sukhothai period. Beginning of absolute monarchy—kings as master |
1351–1767 |
Ayudhya period |
1767–1782 |
Thonburi period |
1782 |
Beginning of Bangkok (Ratanakosin) period under the Chakri dynasty |
1821–1868 |
Growing challenge from the West |
1855 |
The Bowring Treaty with Britain |
1869–1910 |
Abolish slavery, improve public welfare, railway, post and telegraph services |
1892 |
Major bureaucratic reform by King Chulalongkorn Rama V (1869–1910): |
|
authoritarian rule, centralization, and big government |
© 2011 by Taylor and Francis Group, LLC
|
History and Political Context of Public Administration in Thailand 51 |
1910–1925 |
King Vajiravudh, Rama VI: education reforms: Thailand’s first university, |
|
Chulalongkorn University, founded in 1917; compulsory primary education |
|
in 1921 |
1928 |
First Civil Service Act |
1925–1935 |
King Prajadhipok Rama VII (1925–1935): political reform |
1932 |
June 24, constitutional monarchy replaced absolute monarchy |
|
The birth of the “military” or “bureaucratic polity”—Bureaucratic elites as |
|
master |
1933 |
First national elections of members of Parliament |
1938 |
Beginning of the tradition for military elites becoming prime ministers and |
|
cabinet ministers |
1946 |
June 9, King Bhumibol Adulyadej Rama IX ascended the throne |
1950s |
US assistance helps strengthen the bureaucracy, especially Ministries of |
|
Interior (police department) and Defense |
1957–1958 |
Field Marshal Sarit Thanarat became prime minister after a military coup: |
|
first national economic development plan in 1957 |
1965 |
Number of bureaucrats increased from 75,000 (in 1944) to 250,000 (in 1965) |
1973 |
Field Marshal Thanom Kittikachorn and Field Marshal Prapass Charusathien |
|
were ousted by student-led mass demonstrations |
|
Politicians began to challenge the traditional power of the bureaucratic elites |
1974 |
Beginning of regime transition to a democratic polity—politicians as master |
A democratic constitution promulgated |
|
1975 |
Political parties started to grow |
Civil Service Act of 1975 |
|
1976 |
October 6, a military coup took place. Return of military rule |
1977–1980 |
General Kriengsak Chamanand government |
1980–1988 |
Bureaucratic elites maintained power |
March 1980, General Prem Tinsulanonda government |
|
|
Compromise between bureaucratic elites and politicians on the allocation of |
|
cabinet posts. General elections of 1979, 1983, and 1986. Multi-party systems |
1988–1991 |
and the institutionalization of coalition politics and government |
Chatichai coalition government |
|
1991 |
Most ministerial positions filled by politicians |
Military coup in February overthrew the Chatichai government |
|
1992 |
In May, urban middle-class demonstrations overthrew General Suchinda |
|
government |
|
Anand second interim government |
|
Civil Service Act of 1992 |
|
General elections |
|
Chuan government. Democrat Party became the core of the coalition |
|
government |
1994 |
Politicians became ministers |
Civil servants Code of Ethics |
|
1995 |
Banharn government. Chart Thai Party becomes the coalition party leader |
|
Elected politicians assume ministerial portfolios |
© 2011 by Taylor and Francis Group, LLC
52 Public Administration in Southeast Asia
1996 |
November elections |
|
General Chavalit government. His New Aspiration Party became the core |
|
party in the coalition |
|
Politicians became ministers |
1997 |
Political reform movement |
New constitution (based on governance principles, and supported by pro- |
|
2001–2006 |
governance citizens) |
Thaksin government—big businessmen as master |
|
2006 |
Ministries increased from 13 to 20 |
Yellow shirts mass protest |
|
|
Military coup led by General Sonthi Bunya-anan overthrew the Thaksin |
|
government |
2007 |
New 2007 Constitution (revised 1997 Constitution) |
2008 |
Short-lived Samak and Somchai governments |
|
Yellow shirts mass protest |
|
The military reluctant to stage a coup |
2008–present |
Abhisit coalition government |
|
Red shirts mass protest |
© 2011 by Taylor and Francis Group, LLC
Chapter 3
Decentralization and Local
Governance in Thailand
Achakorn Wongpreedee and Chandra Mahakanjana
Contents
3.1 |
Thailand Administrative Structure................................................................................... |
54 |
|
3.2 |
History of Decentralization in Thailand .......................................................................... |
56 |
|
|
3.2.1 Thailand as a Centralized State............................................................................. |
56 |
|
|
3.2.2 |
Towards Decentralization ..................................................................................... |
58 |
3.3 |
The Politics of Decentralization in Thailand ..................................................................... |
59 |
|
|
3.3.1 Political Parties and the Growing Importance of “Representativeness” .................. |
59 |
|
|
3.3.2 Shrinking Political Power of the Military and Bureaucracy .................................. |
60 |
|
|
3.3.3 Increased Policy-based Electoral Campaigning..................................................... |
60 |
|
3.4 |
Drafting the TAO Law 1994............................................................................................. |
61 |
|
|
3.4.1 Competition for Political Benefits (or, on Stage at the Parliament) ....................... |
63 |
|
|
3.4.2 |
Reflections ............................................................................................................. |
65 |
3.5 |
Impacts of the Decentralization Reform on Local Government in |
|
|
|
Thailand: Ongoing Challenges.......................................................................................... |
65 |
|
|
3.5.1 |
Strong Executive System ....................................................................................... |
66 |
|
3.5.2 Thai Local Political System................................................................................... |
68 |
|
|
3.5.3 |
Fiscal Decentralization ......................................................................................... |
69 |
|
3.5.4 |
Transferred Responsibilities .................................................................................. |
72 |
|
3.5.5 Limited Spending on Personnel ............................................................................ |
73 |
|
|
3.5.6 New Local Government Personnel System............................................................ |
73 |
|
3.6 |
Local Governments Reaching Out to Local Community.................................................. |
74 |
|
3.7 |
Conclusion ....................................................................................................................... |
75 |
|
References |
................................................................................................................................. |
75 |
|
53
© 2011 by Taylor and Francis Group, LLC