“Abhisit and Chaiyanat” met with the Subdistrict Administrative Organization Association to push forward decentralization, boost local revenues, and exchange views on establishing a “Ministry of Local Administration” to systematically oversee local governance nationwide.
On 26 May 2026, Mr. Abhisit Vejjajiva, leader of the Democrat Party, together with Mr. Chaiyanat Detdecho, deputy leader of the Democrat Party for the South, welcomed Mr. Khunphot Praedam, Mayor of Krachiew Subdistrict Administrative Organization, Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya Province, in his capacity as director of the Subdistrict Administrative Organization Association of Thailand, and Mr. Phittaya Teeraworanun, Mayor of Sai Mun Subdistrict Municipality, to discuss decentralization strategies and local development at the Democrat Party headquarters.
Mr. Chaiyanat stated that the Democrat Party invited the Subdistrict Administrative Organization Association to discuss three key issues: approaches to decentralization to resolve local government civil servant problems; increasing revenue sources for local administrative organizations (LAOs) to strengthen them; and exchanging views on the concept of establishing a “Ministry of Local Administration” to systematically oversee local governance across the country.
He added that the Democrat Party has championed decentralization since the tenure of Prime Minister Chuan Leekpai, who set a budget framework allocating 35% to local administrative organizations. However, currently, local governments receive only about 29.5% of the budget.
Mr. Chaiyanat further explained that local administrative organizations are the agencies closest to the people—from birth to death—and are the first to address problems and care for residents in their areas. Therefore, strengthening local governments by increasing their revenues and improving administrative flexibility is crucial and requires joint efforts. The association will study the proposals and data further before returning to discuss them again with the Democrat Party, aiming to jointly advance these initiatives through parliamentary processes for the benefit of local governments and citizens nationwide.
Mr. Khunphot said this is a valuable opportunity as the Democrat Party, one of the country’s oldest political parties, places importance on decentralization. The party was instrumental in driving the Decentralization Act from the beginning and has played a key role in developing local administration in Thailand. This discussion marks an important starting point to review and adjust decentralization processes to align with the intent of the 1999 Decentralization Act, thereby strengthening local administrative organizations at all levels. When local governments are strong, Thailand will be strong as well.
