Public political participation in the election of members of the Phrae Provincial Council

การมีส่วนร่วมทางการเมืองของประชาชนในการเลือกตั้งสมาชิกสภาจังหวัดแพร่

Abstract

This research aims to 1) study the status of public political participation in the election of provincial council members in Wiang Thong Subdistrict, Sung Men District, Phrae Province, 2) analyze public political participation in the election of provincial council members; and 3) develop guidelines for promoting community participation in the provincial council election system. The study uses a mixed-methods approach, combining document research, quantitative research using questionnaires to collect data from a predetermined sample, qualitative research, and in-depth interviews.

          Research findings

1. This study examines the overall level of public political participation in the Phrae Provincial Council elections. Leveraging this high level of participation, and utilizing technology, easily understandable media, and policy-centric platforms as tools to address patronage systems and information access, the aim is to shift from a patronage-based system to a transparent and sustainable democracy.
2. Regarding public political participation in provincial council elections, the findings indicate that the problem lies not in the public's unwillingness to participate, but rather in limited access to information and the deeply ingrained culture of patronage. Development strategies should focus on providing communities with easy access to information, creating forums for brainstorming, and utilizing technology for transparent oversight.
3. To develop guidelines for promoting community participation in the Phrae Provincial Council election system, it was found that, although participation is still trapped by the patronage system, family networks, and legal limitations, it can be driven through a four-dimensional strategy, integrating media by connecting online platforms with public address systems, creating debate spaces, fighting with policies instead of votes; campaigning for honest politics based on Buddhist principles to build moral immunity and elevating citizens to become observers. This aims to shift from focusing on individuals to a truly transparent and sustainable electoral system.