Effectiveness of Caretaker Government Administration in Solving Economic Problems: A Case Study of Thaksin Shinawatra’s Caretaker Government (February 24 – September 19, 2006)

Abstract

The purpose of this research is to study and analyze the effectiveness in the administration under Pol. Lt. Col. Dr. Thaksin Shinawatra’s caretaker government. Three main economic problems; an oil price problem, an inflation problem and an investment confidence problem are emphasized in this study. The research is conducted by applying the Formal Public Policy Evaluation (Formal Evaluation) framework by Professor William N. Dunn, Pittsburgh University. The study shows that the administration under Pol. Lt. Col. Dr. Thaksin Shinawatra’s caretaker government is ineffective in solving economic problems. The caretaker government fails to accomplish the objectives of the economic solving problem policy. Also they are incompetent to follow economic policy statement which the cabinet announces to the parliament. In addition, two causes are founded to be obstacles that result in an ineffectiveness in solving economic problems of the caretaker government. First, under Constitution of Kingdom of Thailand B.E. 2540 (1997), the government concerns about the ambiguous scope of the caretaker government’s authority. Second, there is an absence of unity in the coordination between the caretaker government and the senior officials who involve in the solving of economic problems.