The National Strategy under the Senate A case study of the 12th Thai Senate in controlling national administration by driving the national strategy between 2019 and 2020.

Abstract

The 12^Th Thai Senate is established according to the transitional chapter of the Constitution of the Kingdom of Thailand B.E. 2560. The transitional chapter of the Constitution of the Kingdom of Thailand B.E. 2560 authorized the senate’s extraordinary responsibility in monitoring and controlling the National Strategy. However, the background of the senate member can be categorized in 4 groups: 1) Soldiers/police officers, 2) Bureaucrats/state - owned enterprise officers, 3) Civil society networks and local wisdom, and 4) Politicians/business sectors. The study shows each group plays different roles and approaches in controlling the executive. Some mechanisms, together with the policy implementation by the government executives and bureaucratic offices, resulted in positive agenda control. In other words, the government prioritizes the implementation of the National Strategy meet the Senate’s expectation. Moreover, the policy implementation follows the National Strategy. Hence, the senate trusts the government is capable to following and achieving the strategic plan. For these reasons, the relations between the senate members and the executive are concluded as a constructive relationship.