Debate over merits, failings of local councils
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Local administrators have been able to help bridge the social and economic gap over the past 15 years, although they need to be reformed to curb corruption and managerial problems, King Prajadhipok's deputy secretary-general Wuthisarn Tanchai said yesterd
“I do not agree that local administration must be scrapped or have its power reduced because of corruption. Corruption can be found anywhere,” he said. Wuthisarn was speaking at a seminar on reform and decentralisation held by the institute.
He said there had been discussion over whether to dissolve, reduce or increase the power of local government.
“Over the past decade, people are satisfied with the performance of local government. I have no idea about the direction and the future of local administration to be stated in the new charter but decentralisation must go on because it is an important mechanism of democracy,’’ he said.
But Trakul Meechai, lecturer at Chulalongkorn University’s Faculty of Political Sciences, said to develop the country and decentralise was not easy because the country was having security and stability problems.
“We have to adjust decentralisation policies by taking into account the potential, competency and public participation. Regulations that obstruct autonomy of local government must be removed. Relations between central and local government [officials] must be not in the form of command but co-operation to work together,” he said.
Supasawat Chatchawal, a lecturer at Thammasat University’s Faculty of Political Sciences, said central government must oversee and not control local government, which must be restructured to have a suitable size to prevent corruption.
Kowit Puang-ngam, a lecturer of social science at Thammasat University, suggested that Tambon Administrative Organisations be dissolved and merged with municipalities. Provincial Administrative Organisations should also be restructured, he said.
Prajak Kongkeerati, a lecturer of Thammasat University’s Faculty of Political Sciences, voiced concern about vote-buying in the election of local administrators. He said the problem must be tackled because local politics was closely tied to national politics. Local politicians must truly represent the people, he said.
