The Guidelines for Developing Participation in the Development Plan Process for Uthai Thani Province

Abstract

The objectives of this study are: 1) to examine the participation in the process of developing the Uthai Thani Provincial Development Plan, 2) to investigate the issues related to participation in the process of developing the Uthai Thani Provincial Development Plan, and 3) to find ways to enhance participation in the process of developing the Uthai Thani Provincial Development Plan. This study employed a qualitative research method. The main informants in this study included representatives of local government organizations, representatives of the civil society sector, and officials working on the planning process of government agencies in Uthai Thani Province. The informants were selected using purposive sampling, and data were collected through semi-structured interviews and analyzed using content analysis. The results of the study revealed that

1. The participation in the process of developing the Uthai Thani Provincial Development Plan involves 6 steps : 1) data collection, 2) gathering opinions, 3) consultation, 4) collaborative planning, 5) joint implementation, and 6) monitoring and evaluating the plan. Through these processes, government agencies in Uthai Thani Province, local government organizations, the private sector, civil society, and local citizens have all participated in the implementation of the plan.

2. Problems of participation in the process of developing the Uthai Thani Provincial Development Plan can be identified in the following 6 steps: 1) Data Collection Process: The collection of data and information used in the plan often faced delays and incompleteness due to outdated information, leading to plans that fail to fully address the needs of the area. 2) Public Consultation: Limited budget affected the organization of meetings and public forums, resulting in an inability to engage all target groups. Additionally, representatives from government agencies lacked knowledge or understanding of the issues at hand, diminishing the effectiveness of public feedback. 3) Consultation: The delegation of representatives by heads of government agencies led to a lack of clarity in decision-making, and their feedback failed to reflect the proper vision or direction of their respective agencies. 4) Joint Planning: The use of substitutes for direct staff participation in the process caused incomplete feedback, which hindered the ability of the plan to fully meet the needs of the community. 5) Plan Implementation: Government agencies were required to follow plans set by ministries or departments, resulting in delays and an inability to meet the planned deadlines for provincial development. Consequently, the implementation did not align with the established plan. 6) Monitoring and Evaluation: The absence of clear timelines and effective evaluation methods led to a failure in following through with the planned activities. Evaluations often focused solely on the final outcomes, neglecting to assess the changes occurring throughout the course of the plan or project.

3. The development approach for participation in the process of creating the Uthai Thani Provincial Development Plan is identified in the following 6 steps: 1) Data Collection Process: It is recommended to store data in a unified database to improve accuracy and ease of access, with regular updates and the use of technology to manage the data effectively. 2) Public Consultation: Multiple channels for feedback should be established, including meetings, public forums, online surveys, outreach activities, and the use of relevant networks as intermediaries for data collection. 3) Consultation: A clear operational calendar should be created, with advance notice provided to participants to prepare for the planning process. 4) Joint Planning: A plan for developing the provincial development plan should be prepared in advance, allowing agencies to gather information and actively contribute to brainstorming and planning sessions. 5) Plan Implementation: Emphasis should be placed on following the provincial development plan, with periodic progress reports to enable monitoring and control. 6) Monitoring and Evaluation: Management of the work should include clear performance indicators, and the use of technology to create a system for tracking and evaluating progress. Additionally, experts from civil society should be invited to monitor and oversee the implementation of government activities in each development area.