Strengthening the Capacity of Public Affairs Management of Local Administrative Organizations in Surat Thani Province

Abstract

The aims of this study were: 1) to study the public affairs management capacities of Local Administrative Organizations in Surat Thani Province; 2) to analyze challenges, barriers, and critical elements for enhancing and fortifying the public affairs management capacities of Administrative Organizations in Surat Thani Province; 3) to devise a framework for public affairs management of Local Administrative Organizations in Surat Thani Province. The research employed a mixed-method approach. The data were gathered from a sample of 340 participants consisting of local government officials in Surat Thani Province, with 9 key informants being Local government officials and local leaders in the same province. Statistical methods utilized for data analysis encompassed frequency, percentage, mean, standard deviation, exploratory factor analysis, and content analysis.

The research results found that 1) the public affairs management capacity of local government organizations has a significant impact on public service management in Surat Thani Province, showing an overall high level. Furthermore, 2) key factors were identified as crucial for enhancing and fortifying the capacity for public affairs management in the same province, also at a high level. Additionally,  3) guidelines were proposed for establishing a public affairs management model for local government organizations in Surat Thani Province, encompassing five primary elements: 1) Materials management, 2) Work techniques, 3) Responsiveness to people's needs, “Satisfaction” 4) Good management and personnel, and Budget management and allocation, which were integrated into the MTSGB Model.