ความคิดเห็นของประชาชนและบุคลากรท้องถิ่นในเรื่องการควบรวมองค์กรปกครองส่วนท้องถิ่นในอำเภอขามสะแกแสง จังหวัดนครราชสีมา

Citizens and Officials’ Opinion on Amalgamation of Local Administrative Organizations in Kham Sakaesaeng District, NakhonRatchasima Province

Abstract

Municipal amalgamation is an approach promoted by the national government to enhance efficiency of service provision at the local level. The current study aimed to examine local citizens and officials’ opinion on possible amalgamations of local administrative organizations (LAOs) in Nong Hua Fan and Kham Sakaesaeng Subdistricts, Kham Sakaesaeng District, Nakhon Ratchasima Province, and to examine effects that might happen after such amalgamations. A survey design was employed with two target groups: first, a group of 32 local officials from 4 LAOs; and second, a sample of 392 local citizens selected via a systematic random sampling technique.

Findings show that most of local citizens and officials agree to a potential amalgamation of LAOs in their respective subdistrict due to the following reasons: there would be increases in personnel and budgetary resources; local officials would have a wider range of experiences; local problems and needs would be addressed more efficiently; there would be more inclusive policy formulation; there would be a substantial reduction in expenses for elected officials; and there would be a greater opportunity to elect more qualified local politicians because the competition is more intense. Regarding potential effects of the amalgamation, local citizens and officials are worried that that some communities might not be as well represented because of the reduced number of council members under the new structure.