The Role of Local Government in Developing Sustainable Well-being: Community Development Approaches in Thailand

Abstract

This article aims to analyze the role of local government in developing sustainable well-being in Thailand under the framework of sustainable development concepts and the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The study reveals that local government plays five crucial roles: developing sustainable infrastructure, promoting community economy, managing natural resources and environment, strengthening social and cultural capacity, and promoting citizen participation. The article presents an integrated development approach that connects local governance with sustainable development principles, emphasizing the importance of cooperation among government, private sector, and civil society. The findings demonstrate that effective local governance can serve as a vital mechanism for creating long-term citizen well-being through capacity building of local government organizations, improving legal and policy frameworks, and establishing efficient monitoring and evaluation systems. The article provides policy recommendations for enhancing the role of local governments in sustainable governance. The research contributes to understanding how local governance can effectively drive sustainable development goals at the community level, particularly SDG 11 on sustainable cities and communities, while addressing unique challenges and opportunities within the Thai context.