Journal of Political and Social Agenda

Bureaucratic State to Network State: New Directions of Thai Public Administration

Satawit Janjula, suteeya Prommak — Sun, 28 Jun 2026 00:00:00 +0700

This article aims to analyze the transition of Thai public administration from a traditional bureaucratic state to a network state, using a conceptual framework of public administration theory including the bureaucratic concept, the New Public Management (NPM) concept, the good governance concept, and the network governance concept. Furthermore, the article highlights the concept of network governance, noting that while the civil service continues to play a crucial role in Thailand, it faces limitations due to centralized power, organizational culture, and challenges from digital technology. This leads to the synthesis of new knowledge in the form of a "Dynamic Network State." This proposal was therefore put forward to explain the dynamics of Thai public administration, emphasizing the role of the state as a facilitator that utilizes digital technology and social capital to enhance resilience, transparency, and trust.

Extending the Technology Acceptance Model for Political Artificial Intelligence Adoption with Trust and Transparency

Peerawat Tan-intaraarj — Sat, 27 Jun 2026 00:00:00 +0700

This conceptual review examines the scholarly literature on AI adoption in political engagement, arguing that technical utility alone is insufficient. While the core Technology Acceptance Model (TAM) factors (Perceived Usefulness and Ease of Use) drive initial intentions, the analysis highlights that acceptance critically hinges on non-technical elements: social trust, political affiliation, and ethical concerns. The study addresses the critical intention-action gap between intending to use AI and its actual implementation in politics. To guide future scholarship, the paper advances existing TAM-based research by proposing an extension of TAM that formally integrates trust, transparency, and ethical perception as fundamental factors. The findings suggest that future research prioritize testing this conceptual extension and shifting focus toward tracking measurable, real-world AI use in elections. Successful, responsible AI integration is found to rely significantly on building public trust through stringent ethical safeguards.

Guidelines for Applying New Public Governance Concepts in the Elderly Schools of the Subdistrict Administrative Organization in the Multicultural Society Area of Chiang Rai Province

Yutthasart Norkaew, Somsak Srisontisuk — Sat, 27 Jun 2026 00:00:00 +0700

The research aims to explore the application of an integrated network governance model to address operational efficiency issues among collaborative networks involved in the responsibility of elderly education centers. The study uses Stephen Osborne's "New Public Governance" (NPG) concept as the primary analytical framework. Qualitative research was conducted using in-depth individual interviews and focus group discussions with stakeholders in 15 elderly education centers under the Subdistrict Administrative Organizations in a multicultural society area. The interviewees were divided into five groups: Group 1: government executives; Group 2: civil society practitioners; Group 3: government practitioners; Group 4: private sector practitioners; and Group 5: civil society practitioners. A total 150 participants were selected, all of whom were directly involved in elderly education activities as required by law and indirectly involved in social contexts. The study results found that 1) the new public governance (NPG) network concept can be integrated with the traditional network operations within the local area continuously. 2) The application of the new public governance (NPG) network concept positively impacts the long-term sustainability of elderly schools. 3) To enhance the efficiency network management efficiency in elderly school, the potential should be strengthened by applying the “BOOSTER” model, which includes the following component: B = Budget, O = Organizing, O = Outsource, S = Supply, T = Technology, E = Efficiency, and R = Recheck.

Electoral Politics: A Case Study of the Winning Strategies of a Bhumjaithai Party Member of Parliament in Constituency 8, Ubon Ratchathani Province

Wed, 24 Jun 2026 00:00:00 +0700

This research, entitled “Electoral Politics: A Case Study of the Winning Strategies of a Bhumjaithai Party Member of Parliament in Constituency 8, Ubon Ratchathani” has two primary objectives: 1) to study the strategies for voter base construction and the campaign roles that led to the victory of the Bhumjaithai Party's Member of Parliament in Constituency 8, Ubon Ratchathani, during the 2023 general election; and 2) to study the factors influencing the public's voting decisions following the candidate's party switching in the 2023 general election. Employing a qualitative methodology, the findings reveal that the factors contributing to the electoral victory, superseding party affiliation, were belonging to a political family, the candidate's personal character, robust local political networks, effective problem-solving within the constituency, support for community activities, and campaigning through diverse channels. Consequently, the politician's switch from the Democrat Party to the Bhumjaithai Party did not result in an electoral defeat in the 2023 election.

The Role of Provincial Administrative Organization in Managing Suitable Environments of the Elderly: A Case of Ban SriTrang Residential Home for the Elderly, Huai Yot District, Trang Province.

Wutthikrai Suchatpong, Nanthawadee Wongraksa — Mon, 29 Jun 2026 00:00:00 +0700

This study aims to examine the role of local administrative organization in managing and promoting age-friendly environments at the Srithang Home for the Elderly in Huai Yot District, Trang Province. This study employed qualitative methods using purposive sampling, with semi-structured in-depth interviews and focus groups as key data collection tools. Data were transcribed and analyzed through content analysis to identify themes related to the government's role in creating an appropriate environment for older persons. Credibility was ensured through triangulation of data sources and methods, comparing interviews, focus groups, and relevant documents. Data saturation was reached prior to analysis to strengthen the reliability of the findings. A qualitative research approach was employed, collecting data through in-depth interviews with five key informants local administrators and relevant officials and focus group discussions with ten elderly residents, totaling fifteen participants. The findings reveal that the Trang Provincial Administrative Organization plays a crucial role in policy formulation, budget allocation, and environmental development across physical, psychological, and social dimensions. This includes improving facilities for safety and comfort, organizing health promotion activities, and fostering opportunities for older adults to engage with the community, supported by sustained policies and funding. The study concludes that effective government management not only enhances the quality of life of the elderly but also serves as a model for national policy development and strategies for elder care, contributing to the creation of an inclusive and sustainable society for all generations.

The Non-Aligned Movement and the Vietnam War problem.

RUJ ROHITRATANA, SIPIM SORNBANLANG — Sat, 27 Jun 2026 00:00:00 +0700

This article studies the Non-Aligned Movement's efforts to resolve the Vietnam War through each conference. It uses International Relations theory such as Liberalism and Structural theories to analyze the situation related to the Vietnam War. The research methodology is qualitative to analyze primary and secondary sources related to the Vietnam War and the Non-Aligned Movement under the theories of International Relations and History. The findings are divided into two parts: First, the development of the Non-Aligned Movement, which originated from a group of Third World states uniting to establish a neutral stance without aligning with any major power, guided by the Principle of Panchsheel and the Bandung Conference, a gathering of Third World states, was a crucial starting point for the Non-Aligned Movement, with subsequent expanding membership. Second, the issue of the Vietnam War and the Non-Aligned Movement. This issue discussed primarily focused on the problem of the United States involvement in Vietnam and calling for an end to the United States role in the country. Furthermore, the Non-Aligned Movement called for all parties involved in the Vietnam War to enter into peace negotiations to find a common solution to the war under the Paris Peace Agreement. Subsequently, the Non-Aligned Movement accepted the Provisional Revolutionary Government of South Vietnam, representing the opposition to the South Vietnamese government and the United States, as observer states, which later became full members as representatives of the South Vietnamese people. Later, Non-Aligned Movement member states called for the two Vietnamese states (North and South Vietnam) to jointly manage the problems in Vietnam. After the Vietnam War ended and until the reunification of the two nations, Vietnam officially became a member state of the Non-Aligned Movement in August 1976.

The Role of Local Government Organizations in Managing Recurrent Flooding in Bana Subdistrict, Pattani Province: The New Normal of Communities and Migrant Workers

Surainee Sainui, Ping Wichaidit — Fri, 26 Jun 2026 00:00:00 +0700

Recurrent flooding has become a structural and persistent problem in Pattani Province, particularly in low-lying areas of Mueang Pattani District, affecting both local communities and migrant workers. This study aims to: 1) examine the characteristics and dynamics of recurrent flooding, 2) analyze the role of local government organizations in disaster management, and 3) explore the vulnerabilities of migrant workers in accessing state assistance.A qualitative research approach was employed, utilizing document reviews and in-depth interviews with local government officials, community leaders, and migrant workers from Myanmar, Laos, and Cambodia in Bana Subdistrict. The findings reveal that: 1) recurrent flooding has become a "new normal," operating as a seasonal cycle driven by physical factors and urban expansion; 2) local government organizations play a crucial frontline role in flood management across all phases under existing legal frameworks, but face limitations in terms of budget, data systems, and coordination during crises; and 3) migrant workers are highly vulnerable due to structural limitations such as language barriers and legal status. This renders them "invisible" in local disaster management plans, heavily relying on informal channels rather than state mechanisms.Local government organizations should officially include migrant workers in local disaster management plans, develop migrant volunteers to assist with multilingual communication, and create inclusive spatial databases covering all demographic groups to reduce inequality in accessing state assistance

Editorial Note

Ekkarin Tuansiri — Sat, 27 Jun 2026 00:00:00 +0700

การพัฒนาที่ยั่งยืนต้องควบคู่กับความเป็นธรรม: สำรวจความท้าทายของนโยบายสาธารณะไทย

Chitsanuphong Sanpha — Mon, 29 Jun 2026 00:00:00 +0700

แนวคิดความยั่งยืนอย่างเป็นธรรม (Just sustainability) โดย Agyeman และคณะ (2003, pp. 32-33) ถือกำเนิดขึ้นในปี พ.ศ. 2546 ท่ามกลางกระแสการเติบโตทางเศรษฐกิจแบบเสรีนิยม (Economic liberalization) และ ความพยายามในการลดการควบคุมของรัฐ (Deregulation) สายธารดังกล่าวนำไปสู่การเร่งใช้ทรัพยากรธรรมชาติอย่างเข้มข้นและต่อเนื่อง เพื่อให้เท่าทันการเติบโตทางเศรษฐกิจอย่างรวดเร็ว อย่างไรก็ตาม การพัฒนาเช่นนี้กลับสร้างผลกระทบโดยตรงต่อสิ่งแวดล้อม และยิ่งตอกย้ำช่องว่างความเหลื่อมล้ำระหว่างประเทศพัฒนาแล้วกับประเทศกำลังพัฒนาในขณะนั้น

ด้วยเหตุนี้ แนวคิดความยั่งยืนอย่างเป็นธรรม จึงได้รับการเสนอขึ้น เพื่อเน้นย้ำความจำเป็นของการคำนึงถึงการสร้างสมดุลระหว่างการเติบโตทางเศรษฐกิจ ความเป็นธรรมทางสังคม และการอนุรักษ์สิ่งแวดล้อม หลังจากนั้น แนวคิดดังกล่าวได้รับการพัฒนาต่อและกล่าวถึงในรายงาน Brundtland Report ซึ่งได้เสนอแนวคิด “การพัฒนาอย่างยั่งยืน” (Sustainable Development) (Lenzi et al., 2023, pp. 1–2) และได้ขยายผลสู่ข้อตกลงระหว่างประเทศในรูปของเป้าหมายการพัฒนาที่ยั่งยืน (Sustainable Development Goals: SDGs) ซึ่งมุ่งให้การพัฒนาไม่เพียงยั่งยืนด้านทรัพยากรสิ่งแวดล้อมเท่านั้น หากยังคงความยั่งยืนในมิติของคุณภาพชีวิตและความเป็นธรรมของมนุษย์ในสังคมด้วย