Level of Public Participation in Preparing Process of a Comprehensive Plan in the Context of Thailand

Abstract

              This paper reviews theories regarding levels of public involvement. The theories are then compared to public involvement activities currently implemented in planning participatory process for a comprehensive plan in the context of Thailand. The study shows that one of the key elements that make public participation in planning process in the context of Thailand difficult and inefficient is the strategies and tools used for communication between the state and people. The inappropriate strategies and tools do not help facilitate people’s understanding and feeling of fully involvement in the process. Compared to the theories reviewed, it shows that three planning participatory activities currently practiced in the planning process in Thailand do not meet the targeted level of participation. Firstly, the planning boundary announcement should be used to inform people. In fact, only minority were informed, which is considered according to the framework used in this paper as a non-participation level. Secondly, the public hearing activities that ought to help get people feel involved in planning process were practiced as a tool for one-way consultation only. Lastly, the step of planning revision with ninety days announcement was executed to the level of one-way consultation. This step could, in fact, help strengthen public participation in planning process, if being improved to the level of collaboration.