Modern local administration and development based on the sufficiency economy philosophy
Keywords:
modern local administration, sufficiency economy philosophy, decentralization, sustainable developmentAbstract
This academic article aims to (1) analyze the conceptual and theoretical frameworks related to modern local administration and development in the Thai context; (2) synthesize approaches for applying the Sufficiency Economy Philosophy (SEP) to local administrative organization management; and (3) present an integrated model for SEP-based modern local governance. The study employs a systematic literature review methodology, drawing from international databases including Scopus and Web of Science, as well as national journals indexed in TCI from 2019–2024. The synthesis reveals that the SEP, composed of three principles and two conditions, can be effectively applied to modern public administration across five key dimensions: prudent local fiscal management, social innovation in public services, participatory governance, ethical leadership, and local development aligned with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). This article introduces the SEP-Based Modern Local Governance Model, comprising three layers—Foundation, Mechanism, and Outcome—accompanied by policy recommendations for local administrators, academics, and policymakers at various levels.
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