Introduction
-
Ora-orn Poocharoen
Abstract
The state and development of policy analysis have never been thoroughly examined in Thailand. This volume aims to fill that gap. This chapter outlines the content of the volume, which comprise of five parts. Part I covers the history, styles and methods of policy analysis. It sets the foundation for readers to understand typologies of methods of policy analysis found in Thailand. Part II focuses on policy analysis within executive government. It specifically discusses the central government, the local governments, and the role of collaboration and policy networks. Part III captures knowledge on policy analysis beyond executive government, particularly the monarch, the military, the parliament, the consultants and political movements. Part IV explores political parties and interest groups including business associations, the community sector and social movements. Lastly, Part V investigates policy analysis education and research. This part provides insights to the emerging non-traditional school of thought for policy studies. It discusses how Thailand is stuck in the ‘in-between’ state between conservatives and progressives. This has crucial implications for the direction of policy analysis. It offers possible directions and prospects that would enrich policy analysis in Thailand to better serve democracy, and a just, sustainable future.
Abstract
The state and development of policy analysis have never been thoroughly examined in Thailand. This volume aims to fill that gap. This chapter outlines the content of the volume, which comprise of five parts. Part I covers the history, styles and methods of policy analysis. It sets the foundation for readers to understand typologies of methods of policy analysis found in Thailand. Part II focuses on policy analysis within executive government. It specifically discusses the central government, the local governments, and the role of collaboration and policy networks. Part III captures knowledge on policy analysis beyond executive government, particularly the monarch, the military, the parliament, the consultants and political movements. Part IV explores political parties and interest groups including business associations, the community sector and social movements. Lastly, Part V investigates policy analysis education and research. This part provides insights to the emerging non-traditional school of thought for policy studies. It discusses how Thailand is stuck in the ‘in-between’ state between conservatives and progressives. This has crucial implications for the direction of policy analysis. It offers possible directions and prospects that would enrich policy analysis in Thailand to better serve democracy, and a just, sustainable future.
Chapters in this book
- Front Matter i
- Contents v
- List of figures and tables vii
- List of abbreviations ix
- Notes on contributors xii
- Editors’ introduction to the series xiv
- Introduction 1
-
History, styles and methods of policy analysis in Thailand
- History and styles of policy analysis in Thailand 11
- Methods of policy analysis in Thailand: bureaucratic, managerial, academic and participatory orientations 28
-
Policy analysis within executive government
- Policy analysis in central government 49
- Policy analysis in Thai local governments 67
- Collaboration, networks and policy analysis in Thailand 88
-
Policy analysis beyond executive government
- Monarchy and Thai meta-policy: the early years of Rama X’s reign 107
- The role of the Thai military in policy analysis: unpacking three faces of the military in the non-military policy domain 137
- Parliamentary committees, legislative supporting agencies and policy advice 155
- The role of expert policy advisory boards, consultants and think tanks in policy analysis 170
- Political movements as expression of public opinion for agenda setting in Thailand 186
-
Political parties and interest groups in policy analysis
- Political parties and policy analysis 203
- Business associations and policy analysis 219
- The role of the community sector and civil society in policy analysis 230
- The influence of Thailand’s social movements on policy analysis 248
-
Policy analysis education and research
- Policy analysis instruction in Thailand 273
- Non-traditional policy studies in Thailand 286
- Policy research in academic institutions 303
- Transition and prospects of Thai policy analysis 320
- Index 337
Chapters in this book
- Front Matter i
- Contents v
- List of figures and tables vii
- List of abbreviations ix
- Notes on contributors xii
- Editors’ introduction to the series xiv
- Introduction 1
-
History, styles and methods of policy analysis in Thailand
- History and styles of policy analysis in Thailand 11
- Methods of policy analysis in Thailand: bureaucratic, managerial, academic and participatory orientations 28
-
Policy analysis within executive government
- Policy analysis in central government 49
- Policy analysis in Thai local governments 67
- Collaboration, networks and policy analysis in Thailand 88
-
Policy analysis beyond executive government
- Monarchy and Thai meta-policy: the early years of Rama X’s reign 107
- The role of the Thai military in policy analysis: unpacking three faces of the military in the non-military policy domain 137
- Parliamentary committees, legislative supporting agencies and policy advice 155
- The role of expert policy advisory boards, consultants and think tanks in policy analysis 170
- Political movements as expression of public opinion for agenda setting in Thailand 186
-
Political parties and interest groups in policy analysis
- Political parties and policy analysis 203
- Business associations and policy analysis 219
- The role of the community sector and civil society in policy analysis 230
- The influence of Thailand’s social movements on policy analysis 248
-
Policy analysis education and research
- Policy analysis instruction in Thailand 273
- Non-traditional policy studies in Thailand 286
- Policy research in academic institutions 303
- Transition and prospects of Thai policy analysis 320
- Index 337
