Barriers to Participation in Development Planning of Municipal Governments in Northeastern Thailand

Abstract

The purpose of this study is to identify problems and barriers to participation in development planning of municipalities in Northeastern Thailand. A qualitative research design was employed in which data were gathered through in-depth interviews. Triangulation techniques were used to check responses, and content analysis was performed on the data.

The study results found the following key obstacles to people’s participation in development planning of local government councils: fi rst, a lack of enthusiasm to participate on the people’s part; second, budgetary issues in the implementation of projects under the municipalities’ development plan; and third, obstacles to people’s participation stemming from management and staff of municipal government.