THE COLLABORATIVE NETWORKS FOR SATUN GEOPARK MANAGEMENT TO BE THE FIRST GLOBAL GEOPARK

Abstract

Qualitative research was used to study the collaboration network of Satun Geopark in southern Thailand, the Kingdom’s first United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) Global Geopark, from a management perspective. Satun Geopark operates through a public administration process progressing from citizens with a local administrative unit using participatory and collaborative governance. Local government organizational association was also taken into consideration. As an associative network, Satun Geopark was launched with corresponding roles and cooperation format, factors and policy instruments to achieve successful operative status. Samples were ten staff involved in the daily operations of Satun Geopark. Data was gathered by in-depth interviews and examination of the documentary literature.

        Results were that the collaborative network operated according to participatory and collaborative governance with local leaders playing primary roles in ensuring cooperation between local residents and relevant government agencies. Together, they implement procedures of multi-level governance, from local to global levels, according to regulations of international organizations, including UNESCO. These findings indicate that policy and operational proposals and suggestions for further research on collaborative network model for Satun Geopark management would be indicated to continue progressive development.

Keywords: Collaborative network, Participation, Satun Geopark, United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO).