Political Science and Public Administration Journal

Power and Interests: Political Challenges to Sustainable Development in Thailand

2025-03-11T16:34:41+07:00

Globally, sustainable development (SD) goals are often opposed by political power and special interest groups. This article analyzes challenges hindering the achievement of SD goals in Thailand, focusing on problems of bureaucratic centralization of power and interest groups influencing the development process, policy process ambiguities, and ineffectiveness of the checks and balances. These significant factors hinder long term development progress. Interference by political power and interests remain major obstacles to creating justice and reducing inequality in Thai society. Therefore, a transparent, accountable governance system should promote public participation to reduce the impact of centralized power, leading to fair, omnidimensional economic, societal, and environmental SD. Public administration reform and policy restructuring must effectively respond to SD through decentralization, facilitating public participation in decision-making. Additionally, transparent checks and balances and legal and policy revisions to foster SD are essential for social advancement in Thailand.

Sustainable Development under the Two-Tier Approach in Public and Private Sector Management

2025-03-19T15:43:28+07:00

The study of sustainable development under the two-tier concept in public-private management is significant as sustainable development is essential for meeting present needs without compromising future generations' opportunities. This research aims to analyze and propose guidelines for sustainable development within the two-tier concept framework, which emphasizes partnerships between public and private sectors across economic, social, and environmental dimensions. The findings demonstrate that public-private partnerships enhance sustainable development through efficient resource utilization, innovation support, and renewable energy investments. These partnerships mitigate environmental impacts while fostering sustainable economic growth by promoting public participation, reducing social inequality, and creating sustainable employment, particularly in economically disadvantaged communities. The two-tier concept aligns with governance principles, new public administration approaches, and social justice theories. The integration of these concepts facilitates balanced sustainable development across economic, social, and environmental domains. Effective public-private partnerships enable efficient operations that address societal needs sustainably.

Global Citizenship Education: Integrating Learning Approaches for Secondary School Youth to Promote Global Citizenship and Sustainable Development

2025-02-25T17:10:01+07:00

This article examines the concept of education aimed at promoting global citizenship, which is one of the essential tools driving the sustainable development goals. Through a literature review of the concepts related to education management for promoting global citizenship, including global education curricula, it aims to present a curriculum framework at the secondary school level, which is a critical age for becoming a driving force in global society. This is linked with learning management models that align with the subject matter and the learning objectives of a curriculum that is divided into lower secondary and upper secondary levels. The study’s findings indicate that: 1) The lower secondary level should feature a learning management style that emphasizes concrete education through group processes, collaboration, role-playing, debates, and real-world fieldwork to study current social conditions, serving as a foundation for developing more complex or abstract skills. And 2) In the upper secondary education level, the learning management should be more complex, involving case studies, news articles, or various events in the community. Students should utilize critical thinking processes to explore avenues for participation or assess expected outcomes, as well as apply the acquired knowledge through practical experiences by conducting projects and designing innovative public relations strategies via social media. This approach will foster the development of global citizenship in alignment with the curriculum and the focal points of domestic education, linking global citizenship to the context of Thai citizenship.

Smart Cities and the Creation of Environmental Security: Case Studies of Singapore

2025-04-28T14:12:14+07:00

This article examines the application of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) to enhance environmental sustainability in smart cities through a case study of Singapore. The analysis is conducted using the framework of sustainable development and the SDGs, with a particular focus on Goal 9 Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure, Goal 11 Sustainable Cities and Communities, and Goal 13 Climate Action. The findings indicate that Singapore places significant emphasis on concrete environmental and sustainable development policies, implemented through various smart city management initiatives. These initiatives leverage technology for efficient resource and energy management, leading to a reduction in greenhouse gas emissions and improved energy efficiency. Additionally, Singapore has developed environmentally friendly infrastructure, including a mass rapid transit system, waste management strategies, and the utilization of renewable energy. These efforts serve as key mechanisms driving continuous progress toward the SDGs while balancing economic and social growth with environmental sustainability. The insights gained from Singapore’s approach offer valuable lessons that can be adapted to the Thai context.

Thailand and the Challenges in Achieving Goal 5 of the Sustainable Development Goals

2025-03-11T11:46:43+07:00

The current status of gender equality in Thailand remains a matter of concern, as reflected in the country's performance on Sustainable Development Goal 5: Gender Equality. The goal continues to face significant challenges, with recent assessments indicating a lack of progress. Moreover, the stagnation in achieving SDG 5 may potentially hinder progress across other dimensions of sustainable development. This study is therefore significant for analyzing the underlying challenges and proposing strategies for more effective implementation. The objectives of this study are threefold: 1) study the definition, significance, standard indicators, and current status of Thailand’s progress toward SDG 5 2) analyze the critical factors that hinder its achievement, and 3) recommend strategies recommendations to overcome these challenges and promote sustainable progress. The findings indicate that between 2019 and 2024, Thailand’s performance in SDG 5 remained within a “significant challenges” status, although showing moderate progress. However, in 2024, the trend shifted to stagnation due to five critical challenges: 1) inadequate full and effective participation of women in decision-making at all levels; 2) limited access to economic resources, land, and property ownership; 3) persistence of harmful practices and restricted access to sexual and reproductive health services; 4) gender bias and discrimination; and 5) outdated or insufficient gender-related data. This study recommends two key strategies: first, addressing gender bias by promoting positive portrayals of women’s leadership and participation in media and culture to eliminate discrimination and enhance women's safety; and second, regularly updating gender-related data to ensure evidence-based policymaking that aligns with actual social needs. Both strategies must be implemented concurrently, as the absence of either may undermine Thailand’s ability to achieve SDG 5 effectively and sustainably.

Inter-Local Relations between Thailand and Lao PDR: Collaborative Efforts of Thoeng and Paktha in Combating Environmental Threats in the Borderland

2025-02-25T16:33:46+07:00

This article proposes the concept of inter-local relations through an examination of environmental collaboration between Thoeng District, Chiang Rai, Thailand, and Paktha District, Bokeo, Lao People's Democratic Republic (PDR). Situated on the land border, these districts face shared environmental challenges, including PM 2.5 pollution, smog, and forest fires, which threaten both human security and ecological stability. Drawing on a qualitative methodology comprising group discussions with 56 informants conducted in 2023 and 2024, including Thai and Lao district chiefs and officers at the administrative offices of Thoeng and Paktha, this study explores the mechanisms and dynamics underpinning cross-border collaboration at the local level. It argues that the existing international regime such as ASEAN addressing transboundary haze remains insufficient, and that inter-local relations should operate in tandem with international efforts to more effectively promote clean air across both states. The findings reveal that district-level actors and village headmen implemented joint monitoring systems, shared resources, and coordinated community-led responses to mitigate environmental threats. These efforts highlight the capacity of local actors to address transboundary issues without awaiting central government directives, showcasing a more agile and context-sensitive approach to governance. The article introduces the concept of inter-local relations to frame these interactions, emphasising their coexistence with traditional international relations while operating within the practical realities of borderland communities. By analysing the successes and challenges of the Thoeng-Paktha collaboration, this study advances the understanding of non-traditional security threats, borderland governance, and the role of local actors in international cooperation. The findings underscore the potential of inter-local relations as a model for addressing global challenges in other border regions, contributing to the discourse on cross-border environmental governance and offering actionable insights for policy and practice.

“Stray Dogs in Cities”: When Stray Dogs Become a Challenge for Developing Sustainable and Livable Urban Areas

2025-03-04T13:32:14+07:00

This article aimed to explore and analyze stray dogs with city relationships as well as the approaches to managing the problem of stray dogs in urban areas. Data were collected through a review of documents, research, policies, laws, strategic plans, and situations related to stray dogs in Thailand. It was found that the development of livable cities to be sustainable involves not only improving the infrastructure and economy of urban populations but also solving the problems of stray dogs which are creatures that coexist with cities. Therefore, stray dogs and cities are a problem for developing cities to be livable with its initial goal of sustainable development in urban areas (SDG Localization). The stray dog problem is complex in terms of structure and mechanisms for the separation of responsibilities and impacts on society in various ways. Based on the survey, it was found that the issue of managing the city’s stray dogs needs to be solved through cooperation between government sectors, local government organizations, civil society organizations, academic sections, and the stakeholders affected by the stray dog problem including those with compassion for stray dogs. Additionally, solving the stray dog problem requires a plan that adapts excellent community dog management models to the urban context ensuring successful and sustainable solutions. As a result, the city becomes livable and sustainable through the management of the stray dog problem.

Local Community Collaboration and Sustainable Staycation Tourism: Case Studies from Cebu and Bohol, Philippines

2025-01-31T21:29:55+07:00

After the COVID-19 pandemic, developing countries such as the Philippines have sought to revive their weakened economies through tourism. As part of its revival plan, community-based tourism initiatives like “staycations” have been promoted to stimulate local economies and support post-pandemic recovery. However, limited research has examined whether such initiatives meaningfully engage local stakeholders or simply reinforce centralized, top-down governance, especially in a country where decentralization is met with a changing political climate. This study aims to elaborate on how staycation tourism, as a recovery strategy, uphold principles of participatory governance in the context of developing countries. Through reviewing and analyzing secondary data and the existing literature, the paper examines local staycation tourism in the Cebu and Bohol provinces of the Philippines, as informed by collaborative governance approaches, to analyze the institutional arrangements and the roles of local governments, tourism providers, and communities in implementing staycation initiatives as seen in programs such as the “Suroy-Suroy Sugbo” (Wander Around Cebu), the “Celebrate Cebu, Stay Cebu,” and Bohol’s designation as the country’s first UNESCO Global Geopark, which illustrate efforts to revitalize tourism through localized cultural and ecological experiences. While these initiatives promote domestic tourism, stemming from the collaboration between local and provincial authorities and local communities through the provision of skills training and funding, among others, there needs to be a clarification on the extent of how participatory these initiatives are. Ultimately, this paper suggests that to enable more sustainable and resilient tourism systems in both staycations and community-based tourism arrangements, governance processes must center community agency in planning and decision-making, while at the same time, nuancing collaborative frameworks through identifying and mapping power relations and its consequences in order to come up with a sustainable industry initially guised as a recovery safety net.

External and Internal Driving Factors in Development of Phitsanulok Province along the LIMEC: The Role of the Government and the Dynamics of Globalization

2025-03-17T10:42:17+07:00

This study seeks to examine the external and internal factors that affect the opportunities and developmental pathways of Phitsanulok Province within the Luang Prabang-Indochina-Mawlamyine Economic Corridor (LIMEC). The study employed a qualitative research design, utilizing documentary research and conducting in-depth interviews. Five key informants were chosen using purposive sampling: The Governor of Phitsanulok Province, the Provincial Agriculture Officer, the Provincial Commerce Officer, the President of the Phitsanulok Provincial Administrative Organization (PAO), and the President of the Phitsanulok Chamber of Commerce. The process of data collection included a thorough literature review and semi-structured interviews, whereas data analysis utilized content analysis and methodological triangulation to improve validity. The findings indicate that external factors, including Thailand's involvement in regional frameworks such as ACMECS and BIMSTEC, infrastructure connectivity, and international collaboration, play a crucial role in influencing the growth prospects of Phitsanulok. Internally, the identification of economic digitization, human resource development, sustainable agriculture, environmental management, and political stability as essential elements is paramount. Additionally, the study emphasizes the importance of tackling non-traditional security threats such as pandemics, environmental degradation, and transnational crime through regional collaboration under LIMEC. It is recommended to establish a centralized coordination mechanism for LIMEC initiatives, enhance human capital development, foster cross-border health and disaster management cooperation, and create a regional logistics hub in Phitsanulok. Future research ought to concentrate on the significance of digital transformation, conduct comparative analyses among regional corridors, and examine community-level impacts to foster sustainable and inclusive regional development.

Gender Equality in Local Government Under Sustainable Development Goal 5: A Case Study of Lamphun Province

2025-05-20T09:27:40+07:00

The objectives of this research were to examine the state of gender equality enhancement and gender-responsive governance and to analyze the differences in the levels of gender-responsive governance across local government organizations in Lamphun Province within the framework of Sustainable Development. This study employed a mixed-methods approach in two phases: quantitative data were collected through questionnaires administered to 85 local government executives, and qualitative data were gathered through in-depth interviews with 23 participants. The findings revealed that, firstly, the highest-rated aspect of gender equality was related to Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 5.5: Ensuring Effective Participation of Women (M = 1.52, SD = 0.90). Secondly, the highest-rated aspect of gender-responsive governance was the expression of the executives' intention to promote gender equality (M = 1.62, SD = 0.95). The study confirmed the research hypothesis, showing that the levels of gender-responsive governance differed significantly both overall and across the nine Sustainable Development targets, with statistical significance at the 0.05 level. Finally, this article argues, based on a liberal feminist approach, that local government organizations serve as political structures with the potential to promote gender equality through both coercive and non-coercive social arrangements.

Water Management Approaches in the Eastern Special Development Zone Based on the Advocacy Coalition Framework and Social Acceptance

2025-03-31T16:02:48+07:00

This qualitative research aims to synthesize water management approaches in the Eastern Special Development Zone, guided by the Advocacy Coalition Framework and the concept of social acceptance. The study examines the perspectives of multiple stakeholders, including the government, industrial, commercial, and local/agricultural sectors, through focus group discussions. The results reveal that the primary challenge in water management within the EEC is the absence of an authority specifically responsible for overseeing water governance in the area. Additionally, stakeholders from different sectors hold divergent views on which agency should assume this role. Specifically, while the government, industrial, and commercial sectors generally advocate for a centralized management model under a single governmental agency, the local/agricultural sector tends to support a decentralized approach or leadership by a representative closely connected to the local community. Based on stakeholder recommendations, three possible models for water management leadership have been proposed: The River Basin Committee in the Eastern Region, the Office of the Eastern Economic Corridor Policy Committee, and the Provincial Administrative Organization. These findings support Thailand's efforts to achieve specific targets under Sustainable Development Goal 6, particularly target 6.5 on integrated water resource management and target 6.b on encouraging local participation in water governance.