Royal Public Administration in the Two Kings of Thailand

Abstract

Royal Public Administration refers to a form of governance initiated and conceptualized by the monarch, who graciously provides principles and ideas to solve national problems. These principles are implemented by the government through Initiative Projects, utilizing mechanisms at the national, regional, and local levels in cooperation with relevant stakeholders in each area. This research aims to: (1) explore the origin and development of the knowledge and concepts of Royal Public Administration as the foundation for national development, as well as its contributions to the field of Public Administration initiated by King Rama IX and further continued and developed by King Rama X; (2) identify models for driving Royal Public Administration through Initiative Projects; and (3) discover methods of promoting access to Royal Public Administration through these projects. Data were collected through in-depth interviews with 19 individuals who had the experience of closely serving His Majesty King Rama IX and King Rama X, and structured interviews with 345 leaders and stakeholders involved in the implementation of Initiative Projects across various provinces. The study found that: (1) Royal Public Administration is a form of monarch led governance that significantly contributes to national development and problem-solving; (2) the mechanism for implementing Initiative Projects begins with local problem analysis, followed by royal endorsement, and proceeds through integrated networks that drive project implementation; and (3) activities have been organized to promote youth engagement with Royal Public Administration through Initiative Projects in collaboration with universities and/or colleges in 26 central provinces.