READINESS OF LOCAL ADMINISTRATIVE ORGAQNIZATIONS IN MUENG DISTRICT, KHON KEN PROVINCE TO ADOPT MONTHLY ELDERLY WELFARE PAYMENT THROUGH AN ELECTRONIC SYSTEM

Abstract

The objectives of this research are to study the current situation of the elderly welfare money payment of the local government organizations and to study the readiness of local government units in Mueang District, Khon Kaen Province to pay the elderly welfare using e-payment system. Ten local government organizations were chosen to be a representative sample for this study based on purposive Sampling and openness and accessibility of the units. The researcher acquired secondary data from the sampling local organizations containing the number of senior and methods of payment made. Then a primary data obtained from in-depth interview with key informants, which were a Welfare Officer and seniors’ people in local jurisdiction. The study indicated that the payment of the elderly welfare of the local government organization in Mueang Khon Kaen Distric There is a payment of current welfare through 2 channels. Paid in cash, representing 26.85 percent and received by transferring into account, accounting for 73.15 percent. As for readiness, it was found that Local administrative organizations and the elderly in urban areas were ready to pay and to receive the payment through the electronic payment system than local government organizations and the elderly in the semi-urban and rural areas respectively. Welfare Officers and elders living in rural areas were worry about accessibility of financial services. Furthermore, for them in the rural area, the monthly cash payment was not just a cash payment, but also an act of visit and being visited by officer was also very important. By visiting them, officers would be able to know hardship and problem of the seniors and giving a moral support for them during the visit.