title: Decentralisation and Policy Implementation: Thai Development Plans and Subdistrict Administrative Organisation (SAO) in Chiang Rai

authors: Inpin, Wanwalee

subjects: Decentralisation in Thailand

abstract: Moves to decentralise the government‘s administrative system has been one of the most important development issues in Thailand over the past two decades. These moves are seen most clearly in the establishment of the Subdistrict Administrative Organisation (SAO) across Thailand as the fundamental governing unit at the local administrative level. Decentralisation was introduced as a means of increasing the effectiveness of local government, promoting the transmission of power to the local people and encouraging greater local participation in policy making. The Ninth National Economic and Social Development Plan (2002-2006) promoted the development of the SAO to strengthen local government. The main purposes of decentralisation have been to balance the development of human, social, economic and environmental resources so as to achieve sustainable people-centred development, and promote the role of officials at the local level to increase the power of local government. The thesis examines implementation of this policy, drawing from theories on implementation in terms of 'top-down' and 'bottom-up' approaches, and policy implementation failure. Propositions are derived from these theories for testing in the research. The combination of the two approaches offers insights into key factors in policy implementation and what is needed to achieve better policy implementation. This study focuses on 1) the capacity of an SAO to implement the policies set out by central government, 2) the capacity of staff to determine and implement the policy, 3) the adequacy of revenue available to the SAO for policy implementation, 4) the extent of autonomy from central government to the SAO in providing public services, and 5) the nature and extent of participation by the people in Chiang Rai province in issues of policy formulation and implementation. Staff drawn from 45 government agencies at three different levels (central, provincial and local levels) in Chiang Rai provide the sample group for this study. This thesis found that the concept of decentralisation in Thailand was still new for both the Thai people and officials, and that the old bureaucratic systems continued to prevail. Local governance continues to be overseen partly by appointed personnel and the SAOs still rely heavily on central government for a wide range of matters. The lack of support from central government, insufficient revenue allocated to SAOs, inadequate autonomy, and various other deficiencies have limited the implementation of the policy. This study concludes that the government must eliminate problems arising from adherence to the old bureaucratic systems at local, provincial and central government levels if the policy of decentralisation is to succeed. Further, central government must ensure that staff who implement its decentralisation policy have the capabilities and experiences to implement the policy. The government also needs to ensure that the support is provided to the SAOs for the policy implementation process if the intended goals are to be achieved.

text: Decentralisation and Policy Implementation: Thai Development Plans and Subdistrict Administrative Organisation (SAO) in Chiang Rai Moves to decentralise the government‘s administrative system has been one of the most important development issues in Thailand over the past two decades. These moves are seen most clearly in the establishment of the Subdistrict Administrative Organisation (SAO) across Thailand as the fundamental governing unit at the local administrative level. Decentralisation was introduced as a means of increasing the effectiveness of local government, promoting the transmission of power to the local people and encouraging greater local participation in policy making. The Ninth National Economic and Social Development Plan (2002-2006) promoted the development of the SAO to strengthen local government. The main purposes of decentralisation have been to balance the development of human, social, economic and environmental resources so as to achieve sustainable people-centred development, and promote the role of officials at the local level to increase the power of local government. The thesis examines implementation of this policy, drawing from theories on implementation in terms of 'top-down' and 'bottom-up' approaches, and policy implementation failure. Propositions are derived from these theories for testing in the research. The combination of the two approaches offers insights into key factors in policy implementation and what is needed to achieve better policy implementation. This study focuses on 1) the capacity of an SAO to implement the policies set out by central government, 2) the capacity of staff to determine and implement the policy, 3) the adequacy of revenue available to the SAO for policy implementation, 4) the extent of autonomy from central government to the SAO in providing public services, and 5) the nature and extent of participation by the people in Chiang Rai province in issues of policy formulation and implementation. Staff drawn from 45 government agencies at three different levels (central, provincial and local levels) in Chiang Rai provide the sample group for this study. This thesis found that the concept of decentralisation in Thailand was still new for both the Thai people and officials, and that the old bureaucratic systems continued to prevail. Local governance continues to be overseen partly by appointed personnel and the SAOs still rely heavily on central government for a wide range of matters. The lack of support from central government, insufficient revenue allocated to SAOs, inadequate autonomy, and various other deficiencies have limited the implementation of the policy. This study concludes that the government must eliminate problems arising from adherence to the old bureaucratic systems at local, provincial and central government levels if the policy of decentralisation is to succeed. Further, central government must ensure that staff who implement its decentralisation policy have the capabilities and experiences to implement the policy. The government also needs to ensure that the support is provided to the SAOs for the policy implementation process if the intended goals are to be achieved.

year: 2011

title: Setting a research agenda in trans health: An expert assessment of priorities and issues by trans and nonbinary researchers

authors: Veale, Jaimie

subjects: trans health

abstract: Background: This article is by a group of trans and nonbinary researchers and experts in the field of trans health who have conducted an analysis of trans health research needs.
Aims: To highlight topics that need further research and to outline key considerations for those conducting research in our field.
Methods: The first author conducted semi-structured interviews with all co-authors, and these were used to create a first draft of this manuscript. This draft was circulated to all authors, with edits made until consensus was reached among the authors.
Results: More comprehensive long-term research that centers trans people’s experiences is needed on the risks and benefits of gender affirming hormones and surgeries. The trans health research field also needs to have a broader focus beyond medical transition or gender affirmation, including general health and routine healthcare; trans people’s lives without, before, and after medical gender affirmation; and sexuality, fertility, and reproductive healthcare needs. More research is also needed on social determinants of health, including ways to make healthcare settings and other environments safer and more supportive; social and legal gender recognition; the needs of trans people who are most marginalized; and the ways in which healing happens within trans communities. The second part of this article highlights key considerations for researchers, the foremost being acknowledging trans community expertise and centering trans community members’ input into research design and interpretation of findings, in advisory and/or researcher roles. Ethical considerations include maximizing benefits and minimizing harms (beneficence) and transparency and accountability to trans communities. Finally, we note the importance of conferences, grant funding, working with students, and multidisciplinary teams.
Discussion: This article outlines topics and issues needing further consideration to make the field of trans health research more responsive to the needs of trans people. This work is limited by our authorship group being mostly White, all being Anglophone, and residing in the Global North.

text: Setting a research agenda in trans health: An expert assessment of priorities and issues by trans and nonbinary researchers Background: This article is by a group of trans and nonbinary researchers and experts in the field of trans health who have conducted an analysis of trans health research needs.
Aims: To highlight topics that need further research and to outline key considerations for those conducting research in our field.
Methods: The first author conducted semi-structured interviews with all co-authors, and these were used to create a first draft of this manuscript. This draft was circulated to all authors, with edits made until consensus was reached among the authors.
Results: More comprehensive long-term research that centers trans people’s experiences is needed on the risks and benefits of gender affirming hormones and surgeries. The trans health research field also needs to have a broader focus beyond medical transition or gender affirmation, including general health and routine healthcare; trans people’s lives without, before, and after medical gender affirmation; and sexuality, fertility, and reproductive healthcare needs. More research is also needed on social determinants of health, including ways to make healthcare settings and other environments safer and more supportive; social and legal gender recognition; the needs of trans people who are most marginalized; and the ways in which healing happens within trans communities. The second part of this article highlights key considerations for researchers, the foremost being acknowledging trans community expertise and centering trans community members’ input into research design and interpretation of findings, in advisory and/or researcher roles. Ethical considerations include maximizing benefits and minimizing harms (beneficence) and transparency and accountability to trans communities. Finally, we note the importance of conferences, grant funding, working with students, and multidisciplinary teams.
Discussion: This article outlines topics and issues needing further consideration to make the field of trans health research more responsive to the needs of trans people. This work is limited by our authorship group being mostly White, all being Anglophone, and residing in the Global North.

year: 2022

title: The Pirates of Parihaka: Parody as a Response to Violence

authors: Moffat, Kirstine

abstract: This paper originates from my archival exploration of Gilbert and Sullivan, specifically Frank Rolleston's adaptation of Pirates of Penzance, a discovery pivotal for my chapter on Gilbert and Sullivan in colonial New Zealand. This led to a broader investigation into literary and musical responses to Parihaka, contemplating the appropriateness of capturing its essence. In 2019, reflecting on our national journey, I align with Ihimaera's perspective, acknowledging the justified anger at injustice but also embracing the optimism and hope—a new dawn after the dark night, symbolizing death, resurrection, and new life. The Maori proverb "Ko te poo e teiwi te kai hari te raa" encapsulates this sentiment, emphasizing that the night brings the day, and "Ko te mate te kai hari i te orange e au" asserts that death brings life.

text: The Pirates of Parihaka: Parody as a Response to Violence This paper originates from my archival exploration of Gilbert and Sullivan, specifically Frank Rolleston's adaptation of Pirates of Penzance, a discovery pivotal for my chapter on Gilbert and Sullivan in colonial New Zealand. This led to a broader investigation into literary and musical responses to Parihaka, contemplating the appropriateness of capturing its essence. In 2019, reflecting on our national journey, I align with Ihimaera's perspective, acknowledging the justified anger at injustice but also embracing the optimism and hope—a new dawn after the dark night, symbolizing death, resurrection, and new life. The Maori proverb "Ko te poo e teiwi te kai hari te raa" encapsulates this sentiment, emphasizing that the night brings the day, and "Ko te mate te kai hari i te orange e au" asserts that death brings life.

year: 2019-11-26