Decentralization and Its Effect on Provincial Political Power in Thailand

Abstract

Thailand started decentralization in earnest in 1994. It has been over a decade that decentralization in Thailand has been implemented. This article examines the effects of decentralization on provincial power structures, presenting empirical evidence from field research in two case study provinces. The author argues that although decentralization over the last decade has brought about a reinvention of local self-government organizations, powerful MPs of the pre-decentralization era have regained and amassed even more power and have further entrenched themselves, mainly owing to their preeminent ability to win a large portion of vote.