Desired Qualities of the Subdistrict Administrative Organization Chief Based on the Opinions of the People in Wang Thong District, Phitsanulok Province

Abstract

This research aimed to: (1) study the desirable characteristics of subdistrict administrative organization (SAO) mayors based on the opinions of local people in Wang Thong District, Phitsanulok Province; and (2) compare public opinions regarding the desirable characteristics of SAO mayors.The population in this study consisted of all 3,080 residents of Ban Dong Khoi village in Wang Thong District, Phitsanulok Province. A sample of 354 residents was determined using Taro Yamane's formula, and data were collected using a convenience sampling method.The research instrument was a questionnaire designed to explore the desirable characteristics of SAO mayors. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics such as frequency, percentage, mean, and standard deviation. Hypothesis testing was conducted using t-tests and F-tests (ANOVA). The findings revealed that: (1) Overall, people’s opinions regarding the desirable characteristics of SAO mayors were at a high level. The aspect with the highest average rating was ethics and morality, followed by interpersonal skills, knowledge and competence, personality, and social status, respectively and (2) When comparing opinions, it was found that people with different roles in the community and occupations had significantly different opinions at the 0.05 level of statistical significance. However, differences in gender, age, education level, and income did not result in statistically significant differences in opinion. The results of this research can be used to guide the development of SAO mayors’ characteristics to better align with the expectations of the public. Furthermore, the findings can support improvements in local administration, contributing to more effective governance at the subdistrict level.