Public Participation in Local Government Administration: An Analytical Study of the Chiang Mai Context, 1992–2001

Abstract

The objectives of this study are: 1) to analyze the forms and levels of people’s participation in both political and administrative dimensions; 2) to explain structural factors that promote or hinder participation; and 3) to propose policy guidelines for developing participatory mechanisms consistent with the specific context of Chiang Mai. This study employs a qualitative research methodology, including documentary research, in-depth interviews with key informants, and multiple case studies within Chiang Mai Province during the period of 1992–2001.

The findings reveal a significant disparity between political and administrative participation during this transitional decade. While political participation was high through electoral activities, administrative participation remained confined to "Tokenism" according to Arnstein’s ladder of participation. Key structural obstacles included the authoritarian bureaucratic culture and the expansion of local patronage systems that dominated community assembly processes. Although Chiang Mai possesses robust social capital, it primarily operated parallel to state power, lacking systematic institutional integration. The study recommends reforming community assembly mechanisms into deliberative spaces and implementing participatory budgeting to genuinely empower citizens in the decision-making process.