Public Participation in Local Development: A Case Study of Local Government Organizations in Wang Man Subdistrict, Wat Sing District, Chainat Province

Abstract

The research aimed to study 1) the level of public participation in local development 2) comparing personal factors with public participation in local development of Wang Man Subdistrict Administrative Organization, Wat Sing District, Chainat Province. The sample group consisted of 400 people living in the area under the responsibility of Wang Man Subdistrict Administrative Organization, stratified random sampling. The data collection tool was a questionnaire with a reliability of 0.96. Data analysis was performed by frequency distribution, percentage, mean, standard deviation, t-test, one-way ANOVA with F-test, and Fisher’s least-significant difference. The research results found that 1) the level of public participation in local development of Wang Man Subdistrict Administrative Organization, Wat Sing District, Chainat Province was at a low level. When considering each aspect, the average values ​​were as follows: operations, followed by policy determination, and monitoring and evaluation. 2) Comparison of average public participation in local development of Wang Man Subdistrict Administrative Organization, Wat Sing District Chai Nat Province classified by gender found statistically significant differences at the .05 level. Classified by occupation found statistically significant differences at the .001 level. Suggestions for applying the research results Increase public relations channels and survey readiness, including adjusting the duration of village community meetings or organizing public forums to be consistent with the context of the people, in order to provide opportunities for the people to express their opinions and participate in determining the direction of local development, making decisions on projects or activities of Wang Man Subdistrict Administrative Organization, Wat Sing District, Chai Nat Province. And open opportunities for the people to participate in the monitoring and evaluation committee by publicizing and explaining the importance of monitoring and evaluation, both directly and indirectly, and to be able to independently present opinions on community development in order for people in the community to receive the greatest benefit.