STUDY OF THE HISTORY AND POLITICAL EVOLUTION AND GOVERNANCE OF CHAIYAPHUM

Abstract

            This research aims to 1. Study the history and governance system of Chaiyaphum City 2. Analyze the roles of local leaders and administration in Chaiyaphum City. The historical method is a process used to collect, consider, analyze and interpret historical evidence systematically. The sample consists of 4 groups of people: 1. Elders aged 60 years and over, 5 people 2. Local scholars, 5 people 3. Community leaders, 5 people and 4. General public, 5 people, totaling 20 people, by purposive selection. The research instruments are interview forms, notebooks, cameras and voice recorders. The data were analyzed and interpreted using historical methods. The data obtained from the analysis were categorized according to the purpose of the research objectives.

The research results found that 1. Chaiyaphum City is an area that has been settled since prehistoric times. It was influenced by Indian, Buddhist, Khmer and Lan Xang civilizations before developing into a part of the Sukhothai and Ayutthaya kingdoms. Later, in the Rattanakosin period Chaiyaphum was directly under Nakhon Ratchasima. In 1819, Phraya Phakdi Chumphon (Phaya Lae) migrated from Vientiane and was appointed as the governor. Later, Chaiyaphum was organized into Nakhon Ratchasima Province and was promoted to a province in 1889. The administrative system of Chaiyaphum began as a tributary of Nakhon Ratchasima, with a governor and nobles ruling it. Later, during the Rattanakosin period, Chaiyaphum was organized as part of Nakhon Ratchasima Province. After the administrative reform, Chaiyaphum became a province with an administrative structure divided into districts, sub-districts, and villages. After the change of government in 1932, the provincial system was abolished. Chaiyaphum became a province with a governor as the highest administrator, together with local administrative organizations that were elected to promote decentralization. 2. The role of local leaders and administration in Chaiyaphum in the past Local leaders in Chaiyaphum began with village heads and governors, who played roles in taking care of the people, collecting taxes, maintaining peace, and controlling military personnel, especially during the Ayutthaya and Rattanakosin periods. At present, the role of local leaders has been changed to the form of: Local administrative organizations, such as the Provincial Administrative Organization (PAO) president, mayor, and other local agencies that are responsible for developing the economy, public utilities, infrastructure, and improving the quality of life of the people to have access to government services universally.