Political Science and Public Administration Journal

The Paradox in Drug Policymaking: Comparative Study of Cannabis Policy and Tobacco Policy in 2017-2023

Pitsanuwat Yaprom — Fri, 20 Dec 2024 00:00:00 +0700

Since the beginning of the 20th century, drug law reform has been widely discussed in many countries for medical purposes and decriminalization. However, the selection of certain plants from the list of addictive substances in Thai society serves the interests of certain groups of people. This article therefore aims to study the paradox in drug policymaking in Thailand in 2017-2023 by comparing cannabis and tobacco policies by documentary research and applying the concept of legalization and the elite model are used as analytical frameworks. The results of the study found that 1) The government has encouraged people to grow cannabis as an economic crop, is ready to drive the unlocking of cannabis using the channels of the Ministry of Public Health including pushing for free cannabis laws as a reform law, which is a special mechanism that shortens the consideration of draft laws. However, the draft Cannabis and Hemp Act B.E....., which is a specific law to control the use of cannabis, has not been considered along with it. This creates a vacuum in preventing impacts on society. At the same time, elite network groups had been preparing to set up cannabis business companies only a few months before the Ministry of Public Health announced the unlocking of cannabis. 2) On the contrary, the government has tightened measures to control cigarette consumption through tax restructuring measures. As a result, the Tobacco Authority of Thailand, tobacco farmers and the government lost huge amounts of revenue.

Implementation of the Beggar Control Policy in 2020

Surasak Wongsa, Suvicha Pouaree — Fri, 20 Dec 2024 00:00:00 +0700

This study aimed to gain a better understanding of the process for implementing the begging control policy as well as explore the factors contributing to the implementation of the policy. A qualitative research method was used to collect and analyze data from 15 key informants. The key informants were divided into three groups comprising police officers, social workers, and social developers who were selected by purposive sampling. After the completion of data collection, content analysis was used to describe the research findings. The results showed that the implementation of the begging control policy involves five stages including acceptance of the policy, construction of an advocacy coalition, and mobilization of policy resources, as well as deployment of the policy and implementation of the policy. These implementation stages are divided into
2 phases. The first phase took 90 days to prepare for the enforcement of the Beggar Control Act, B.E 2559 (2016) after it was enacted, and the second phase concerned the concrete actions taken. The factors that led to the implementation of the policy included 1) the characteristics of the policy, 2) resource support, 3) communication, 4) law enforcement, and 5) organizational improvement. These factors played a vital part in translating the policy into the Beggar Control Action Plan No. 1 (2019-2021), allowing activities and projects to be put into practice.

The Study of Myanmar Egress: Civil Society in Partnership with the State

Mon Mon Myat — Fri, 20 Dec 2024 00:00:00 +0700

The previous studies of so-called political transition in Myanmar after 2010 widely spotlights the significant role of civil society groups. Myanmar Egress is inevitable in any study related to civil society in Myanmar and widely recognised as a group willing to work with the military regime for country change. However, the role of Myanmar Egress for the transition was unclear whether it should be understood as a civil society group or a regime’s advocate. This has created confusion about relation between civil society and the State. The present article uses the lens of Simone Chambers and Jeffrey Kopstein on the relation of Civil Society to the State to examine the role of Myanmar Egress in the particular period, pre and post 2010, and the contemporary context following the 2021 military coup. Through a qualitative research method consisting of in-depth interviews, and secondary data from published articles, this study observes the relation between a civic group like Myanmar Egress and the State toward the transition to military-sponsored democracy. The case study demonstrates that Myanmar Egress was the main actor which paved the way for political transition in 2010. Although Egress put enormous effort into regime change but as it turns out, such changes were part and parcel of military-sponsored democracy. The study examines Myanmar Egress’s relation to the state in two types: civil society in dialogue with the state; and civil society in partnership with the state.

The Implementation of Greenhouse Gas Emissions Reduction Policy: A Case Study of Small Private Power Producers (SPP)

Apichaya Chanchalong — Fri, 20 Dec 2024 00:00:00 +0700

The objective of this research article was to study the implementation of policies that reduce greenhouse gas emissions by small private power producers. The research also assessed the administrative burden that electricity producers bear in implementing the policies. This research used a qualitative research approach. The researcher used data collection methods through in-depth interviews with small private power producers at 8 power plants. Data gained from the interviews were analyzed to determine the themes for discussions. The research results found that there were 3 measures to reduce greenhouse gases, comprising 1) measures to increase the efficiency of electricity production and electricity production with renewable energy, 2) measures to create sustainable awareness in the private sector, and 3) voluntary greenhouse gas reduction projects. The research identified problems with resources. Moreover, there were learning costs and costs for implementing the policies. However, actions to reduce greenhouse gases revealed good results for the organization, including creating a good image for the organization and having additional income channels. Power plants can reduce resource costs in the organization by utilizing the organization's greenhouse gas figures in corporate strategic planning. Accordingly, the government sector should speed up the enactment of more stringent laws and regulations to reduce greenhouse gases as well as allocate budgets for greenhouse gases and use them to support the business sector.

Roles, Limitations, and Problems of Local Government Organizations in the Southern Border Provinces

Punyawan Jitprakong — Fri, 20 Dec 2024 00:00:00 +0700

This research aims to study the roles, limitations, and problems of local government organizations in the southern Border Provinces. A qualitative study method was used, and the areas were purposively selected based on the highest cumulative frequency of incidents of violence in the four southern border provinces. Two forms of data were collected, namely documentary data and interview data. Content analysis and hermeneutics were conducted through the analytical framework of decentralization, institutionalism, and fragmented centralization. The results of the study revealed that 1) local government organizations in the study areas have a role in developing and supporting conflict resolution in the southern border provinces jointly with other network-based institutions with direct or indirect security missions; 2) local government organizations have limitations in law, budget, personnel, and public participation as a result of the centralization of power at the central state, leading to their reduced working capacity to resolve conflicts in the southern border provinces.

The Economic Impact of COVID-19 and Satisfaction with Government Measure among Food and Beverage Business Owners in Chiang Mai Municipality

Chatchai Patchimwatthanaphong — Fri, 20 Dec 2024 00:00:00 +0700

The study aims 1) to study the economic impact of COVID-19 on food and beverage owners in Chiang Mai municipality 2) to study satisfaction with government measures and solving the COVID-19 outbreak situation. The populations were the food and beverage business owners in Chiang Mai municipality. The 400 samplings were selected by purposive random sampling. The instrument was a questionnaire with a reliability of 0.946. The statistics used to analyze the data were Percentage, Mean, Standard Deviation, and One-way ANOVA. The study found that, the food and beverage business owners in Chiang Mai municipality were affected at high economic impact (average score of 4.05). The satisfaction with government measures and solving the COVID-19 outbreak situation was satisficed at medium satisfaction (average score of 2.72). The factors of gender and the number of employees were satisfied with the government measures and solving the COVID-19 outbreak situation with no significant difference at the statistical level of 0.05. On the other hand, factors of age, level of education, and monthly income were significantly different at the statistical level of 0.05.

Phitsanulok Herbal City: Policy for the Migration of Thai Medicinal Herbs from Backyard Gardens to the Industrial Sector

Wasan Pounpunwong — Fri, 20 Dec 2024 00:00:00 +0700

This research investigated the facilitating and obstructing factors affecting the policy of moving Thai medicinal herbs from backyard gardens to the industrial sector to promote Phitsanulok Province as an herbal area. After examining the economic, political, and socio-cultural contexts as well as infrastructure, it was found that 1) the provincial herbal city policy prioritises tourism, aesthetics, and traditional Thai medicine rather than elevating herb cultivation for export or commercial purposes, 2) the economic aspects, both domestic and international, influence the development of Thai herbs under the national master plan and Phitsanulok’s herbal city policy, 3) the political conditions under the policy by Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-o-cha aim to develop Thai herbs, transitioning from agricultural to commercial and industrial sectors, 4) social and cultural considerations involve local healers and villagers contributing to herb cultivation, processing, and distribution industries (in comparison with political and economic factors), and 5) the underlying infrastructure focuses on developing the economic corridor linking Luangprabang-Indochina-Mawlamyine (LIMEC) to support the competitive market and transportation for the herbal industry. Research recommendations include establishing state-owned processing plants aligned with the development of herbal industries, health tourism, herbal products, and the distribution of traditional Thai medicine.

Factors Affecting the Success of Implementing Policy to Solve PM2.5 Problem of Local Government Organizations in Samut Prakan Province

Duangnapa Suwan, Jirawat Metasuttirat — Fri, 20 Dec 2024 00:00:00 +0700

The objectives of this study were to examine the level of various factors and factors affecting the implementation of the policy to solve PM2.5 problems by local government organizations in Samut Prakan Province, to study the level of success in implementing the policy to solve PM2.5 problems by local government organizations in Samut Prakan Province, and to analyze the multiple regression equation factors that affect the success of the implementation of the policy to solve PM2.5 problems by local government organizations in Samut Prakan Province. This study was survey research. The specified sample size was 384 employees from a target population of 9,518 employees. Data was collected using a questionnaire. The research variables were 1) standards and objectives, 2) resources, 3) inter-organizational communication and enforcement activities, 4) characteristics of the implementing agencies, 5) economic, social, and political conditions, and 6) the disposition of implementers. Data collection methods included online questionnaires, postal questionnaires, and face-to-face interviews. The data was then statistically analyzed using a software package. The study found that the factor with the highest influence on policy implementation was policy objectives and standards. Four out of the six factors significantly affected the success of policy implementation: the disposition of implementers, economic, social, and political conditions, standards and objectives, and resources. The success of policy implementation was highest in the area where the majority of the population was aware of prevention and solution measures. The predictive equation was Y (success of policy implementation) = -0.041 + 0.222(X₁) + 0.177(X₂) + 0.252(X₃) + 0.346(X₄), where the factor of implementers' disposition (X₄) has the highest β value. Therefore, the factor of implementers' disposition has the greatest impact on the success of implementing the policies to solve PM2.5 problems. The most significant problems in implementing policies to solve PM2.5 were the objectives and policy standards, which had the highest average value. The measure with the highest value in the policy to solve PM2.5 was Measure 2: Prevention and reduction of pollution at the source (emission source).

Guidelines for Developing Mechanisms and Models for Local Governance through Participatory Budgeting

Walaiporn Chinnasri, Supanut Subnavin — Fri, 20 Dec 2024 00:00:00 +0700

This research article aims to: 1) study the creation of a mechanism to strengthen the network cooperation in local government management through participatory budgeting and 2) study the guidelines for creating a mechanism and developing a model to strengthen the network cooperation in local government management through participatory budgeting. This study employed qualitative research methods using participatory community analysis techniques (Participatory Rural Appraisal: PRA) with in-depth interviews and small group discussions. The key informants were local government organization leaders, community leaders in the study area, public sector/civil society network, private network, government network, and academic and educational institution network totaling 60 people. The results of the study revealed that the mechanisms for developing the model to strengthen network cooperation comprised 1) supportive rules and regulations, 2) cooperative leader, 3) strong public sector, 4) collaborative network, 5) participatory budgeting, 6) sufficient budget support, and 7) activity or project continuity. Additionally, the research results suggested that the existing collaborative funds should be promoted through network partners in all sectors, whereas the cooperative activities should be implemented through participatory budgeting with the execution of collaborative leaders.

Somsak Jeamteerasakul, A Conception of Historical Mistake, and the 6 October Student Movement

Wanpat Youngmevittaya — Fri, 20 Dec 2024 00:00:00 +0700

This paper studies the so-called “conception of historical mistake” proposed by Somsak Jeamteerasakul, and applies it to evaluate the 6 October student movement. The question is how the 6 October student movement should be remembered according to Somsak's conception of historical mistake. This paper argues that although Somsak did not explicitly say that the 6 October student movement made a historical mistake, this is an inevitable conclusion if we follow his reasoning: the movement made a historical mistake for becoming the left movement dominated by the thought of the Communist Party of Thailand (CPT). This is because the CPT's thought is deeply incompatible with the foundation of liberal democracy. The implication is that we should not remember the 6 October student movement as those who fought for a political ideal that is worth pursuing. Nevertheless, this does not justify the violence in the 6 October event.