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Politics in Specific Grants Allocation and Relation to National Politics: Case Study of National Council for Peace and Order Government, and 2019 Elected Government |
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| รหัสดีโอไอ | |
| Creator | Nonniphat Warshinakhom |
| Title | Politics in Specific Grants Allocation and Relation to National Politics: Case Study of National Council for Peace and Order Government, and 2019 Elected Government |
| Contributor | Pitch Pongsawat |
| Publisher | Department of Public Administration, Faculty of Liberal Arts, Kalasin University |
| Publication Year | 2569 |
| Journal Title | Governance Journal, Kalasin University |
| Journal Vol. | 15 |
| Journal No. | 1 |
| Page no. | 261-296 |
| Keyword | Specific Grants, Political-Economic Machine, Pork-Barrel Politics, Local Government Organization, Decentralization |
| URL Website | https://so01.tci-thaijo.org/index.php/gjournal-ksu |
| Website title | Governance Journal, Kalasin University |
| ISSN | ISSN: 3027-8589 (Online) |
| Abstract | The allocation of specific grants to local administrative organizations (LAOs) is a crucial state mechanism for supporting local development. However, this budgetary process is often influenced by the political dynamics between national and local levels. This research aims to investigate the relationship between national and local politics influencing the allocation of specific-purpose grants, and to analyze the underlying political mechanisms across varying political contexts. Employing a qualitative approach, this study utilized documentary research and in-depth interviews with key informants. Case studies were conducted on four Provincial Administrative Organizations (PAOs)—Chiang Mai, Suphan Buri, Buri Ram, and Surat Thani—spanning the fiscal years 2012 to 2021. The analysis was divided into three distinct political periods: the pre-2014 elected government, the National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO) regime, and the post-2019 elected government. The findings reveal that the dynamics of specific grant allocation fluctuated significantly according to the political regime, which can be divided into three periods: 1) The normal democratic period (Yingluck government), where the political-economic machine operated fully. Pork-barrel politics thrived as specific grants were used to reward government strongholds and coalition partners, while opposition areas were marginalized and faced fiscal constraints. 2) The National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO) period, characterized by centralization and the freezing of local political machines. Specific grants plummeted as the bureaucratic state intervened to dismantle existing patronage networks by cutting off resource pipelines. 3) The power succession period (post-2019 elected government), which saw the revival of pork-barrel politics. Budgets were utilized as bargaining chips to build political alliances, resulting in exponential budget increases for coalition-aligned areas with high bargaining power. |
