The Analysis of the Local Government Administrative Organization Merger and Acquisition Concept in an Aspect of Decentralization: Case Study Chiang Mai Province

Abstract

The objectives of this study were to analyze the concept of the local government organization merger and acquisition on the aspect of decentralization and to propose the policy guidelines for the local government organization merger and acquisition of Thailand. The study was conducted as a qualitative research. Data were collected from document studying, in-depth interviewing. Data analysis using were verifying facts of primary data obtained from the field studying. The sample of the study comprised of local government officers and staff, local politicians, academics, community leaders and public people.

The study was found that, according to the report of the National Reform Assembly Steering Committee, the concept of of the local government organization merger and acquisition was supported in order to solve the problem of the resource utilization with efficiency and effectiveness. This will be an advantage to people in terms of services providing by the state throughly, fairly and equitably. The merger and acquisition will change the local administrative organization structure especially at the low level, for example, Subdistrict Administrative Organization will be merged to the nearby one and become Municipality. It was further found that the concept of merger and acquisition had no effect on reducing the state power according to the constitution. There was no obvious objection from the people towards the issue of this merger and acquisition which they have their rights to participate for the fairness in local government administration. The suggestion of the study on the policy of merger and acquisition, as it is the important issue and the concern of the people directly, there should be some encouragement on education providing and understanding among people on the issue. Moreover, there should be an public opinion on it among the local people before enforcing this law.