Local Level Planning Process Improvement in Infrastructure Development: Case Studies in Thai Sub-District Local Government

Abstract

Any planning process is considered to be the most critical function influencing the success of infrastructure development, especially at the local government level. In Thailand, the Tambol Administrative Organization (TAO), which is the smallest local government unit, was recently outlined as a rural development initiative. This study initiates an improvement of the current planning system for infrastructure development. The research methodology is outlined in three stages: problem identification and classification by focus group discussion sessions, problem examination by case studies, and review of the planning improvement system development by focus group interviews. Five key problems were identified as follows: operational problems, functional problems, knowledge competency problems, public participation problems, and government related problems. These problems were further regrouped into four concepts affecting the improvement process: knowledge competency concept, quality management concept, good governance concept, and public participation concept. These improvement concepts, through the focus group sessions with chosen major stakeholders of the TAO, are reviewed and updated until a satisfactory improvement process is achieved. The final improvement process shows the most effective procedures as well as the duties and responsibilities of the major stakeholders therein.