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Revival of the Leviathan in Thailand’s Local Governance Landscape: the Role of Constitutional Oversight Agencies in Rabies Prevention at the Local Level

Fri, March 17, 3:00 to 5:00pm, Sheraton Centre Toronto Hotel, Floor: 2nd Floor, Kenora

Abstract

Since the end of the 20th century, Thailand has been engulfed in a multitude of governance challenge, ranging from political turmoil, widespread government corruption, social inequality, and uneven economic development between urban and rural areas. In an attempt to tackle these challenges, two key reform efforts were adopted: decentralization of public service functions to the local level and creation of constitutional oversight agencies, such as the Public Finance Audit Commission (PFAC). We argue that these constitutional independent agencies designed to root out government corruption have hindered the decentralization process by empowering the national government agencies at the expense of local governments. Apart from this recentralization trend, these independent agencies have revealed weaknesses in Thailand's governance system. In our paper, special attention will be given to the PFAC’s role in overseeing the rabies prevention efforts at the local level. Coinciding with the spread of anti-politician sentiment after the 2006 military coup d’état, the PFAC has become increasingly strict in its interpretation of local governments’ discretionary authority and autonomy. Our paper will discuss how the PFAC has disrupted decentralization and the country's rabies control and prevention campaign.

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