COMMUNITY DEMOCRACY AND THE PROMOTION OF LOCAL DEVELOPMENT

Abstract

The Western democracy mainstream in Thailand led to a change of governance in the year 1932. Thailand has continued to evolve politically since the shift, including political activity focused solely on urban residents. Until the 1997 Constitution of Thailand was enforced, its provisions stipulated that Thai people shall participate in political activities especially at the local level possibly for the purpose of strengthening and developing local potential to achieve self-administration of public affairs using local social capital for the benefits and efficiency, reduce external dependence, form people gathering, meetings, consultations in accordance with democratic guidelines, creating civil society in the development of local communities leading to a self-reliant community also known as “Strengthening Community” based on the concept of community democracy. The concept and process of Community Democracy have been applied by a wide range of Thai communities. Local people in the community are pioneers to initiate the activities and participate in driving the process of participation with local government organizations or organizations through meetings, consultations, and integration between people and members from outside organizations to mutually make an agreement according to Social Contract concept. Through the foresaid concept, the community shall apply it and community democratic processes to utilize social capital for maximum benefits, achieving the guidelines for effective community management.