NINE The role of expert policy advisory boards, consultants and think tanks in policy analysis
-
Ora-orn Poocharoen
Abstract
This chapter provides a broad picture of consultants, think tanks and advisory committees in Thailand’s public policy ecosystem. The role of foreign advisors or consultants before the transition to the constitutional monarch system is provided to explain how Thailand was modernised in the same direction as the West, despite not having been formally colonised. It also describes the role of monarch advisors in policy analyses of the country. This chapter also covers the emergence and typologies of modern-day policy advisory boards, consultants and think tanks. It provides a picture of how consultants and advisors are highly influential and important in Thailand’s policy networks today. Additionally, it argues that consultants are policy actors, who should be held accountable for their policy analysis, should be regarded as a profession, and should not perpetuate the noble aristocratic role of elites in the past.
Abstract
This chapter provides a broad picture of consultants, think tanks and advisory committees in Thailand’s public policy ecosystem. The role of foreign advisors or consultants before the transition to the constitutional monarch system is provided to explain how Thailand was modernised in the same direction as the West, despite not having been formally colonised. It also describes the role of monarch advisors in policy analyses of the country. This chapter also covers the emergence and typologies of modern-day policy advisory boards, consultants and think tanks. It provides a picture of how consultants and advisors are highly influential and important in Thailand’s policy networks today. Additionally, it argues that consultants are policy actors, who should be held accountable for their policy analysis, should be regarded as a profession, and should not perpetuate the noble aristocratic role of elites in the past.
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
