SEMINAR ON THAI POLITICS AND GOVERNANCE: A CASE STUDY OF THE RELATIONSHIP PROBLEMS BETWEEN CENTRAL AND REGIONAL ADMINISTRATION

Abstract

  This academic article aims to examine the problems in the relationship between central and regional administration in Thailand by analyzing the centralized governance structure and challenges in power decentralization to regional areas. The study employs a comprehensive literature review related to Thai governance, including fundamental concepts, historical development, and current issues. The findings reveal that Thailand's administrative structure remains heavily centralized despite various decentralization efforts through legislation and policies. In practice, several problems persist, including overlapping authorities, lack of clarity in task allocation, limited fiscal autonomy, and organizational culture that adheres to traditional bureaucratic systems. Regional administrative bodies continue to function primarily as representatives of the central government rather than as autonomous entities serving local needs. This article proposes reform approaches to improve central-regional administrative relationships by emphasizing balance between central oversight and strengthening regional administrative capacity. The study suggests structural reforms, fiscal system adjustments, good governance promotion, and organizational culture transformation as key strategies to address these longstanding challenges in Thailand's governance system.