1.1.3 Thailand’s Public Sector Reform through the Concept of NPM
The movement of implementing the Master Plan of Public Sector Reform B.C. 2540-2545 (1997-2001) and the success of bureaucratic reforms in the United Kingdom, Sweden, France, Australia, and the USA which represented the application of the New Public Administration Model (NPM) has become a significant catalyst for change in the Thai public sector (Bongkoch Sutad NaAyuthaya, 2010). Consequently, Thai public administration reform was pushed forward and made significant progress in the period that Taksin Shinnawatra was the Prime Minister of Thailand.
In order to achieve public sector reform, the State Administration Act (No.5) B.E. 2545 (2002) and the Act on Reorganization of Ministries, Ministerial Bureaus and Departments, B.E. 2545 (2002) have been promulgated as the framework of Thai bureaucratic reform. These two Acts led to the creation of twenty Ministries and Sub-Ministries. The Acts provided the adjustment of the authority of government agencies and also changed the administrative system by restructuring agencies with related tasks into a group so as to enable the objectives and direction of related agencies to jointly and efficiently work without unnecessary cost due to overlap. In addition, the Office of the Public Sector Development Commission (OPDC) was established in B.E. 2545 (2002) as the main driver in the development of Good Governance and NPM in the Thai public sector.
The OPDC has pushed reform of the public sector through the implementation of Thai Public Sector Development Strategic Plan B.E. 2546-2550 (2003-2007) and B.E. 2551-2555 (2008-2012). The concept of the New Public Administration Model (NPM) has been used to reform the Thai bureaucracy. The main objectives have been better service quality, appropriate governmental size, high performance, and democratic governance (Bongkoch Sutad NaAyuthaya, 2010). Also the Thai public sector will emphasize and adhere to the following principles (Office of the Public Sector Development Commission, 2010):
1) Focus on “citizen-centered approach”, improving public services and delivering high value outcomes to the citizens.
2) Revise the roles of the public sector to those of a supporter and facilitator, cutting unnecessary functions, and streamlining work processes with better utilization of public resources.
3) Maintain proper relationships with political administrators, providing neutral and impartial advice based on professional standards.
4) Build networks and cooperate with other sectors in society as well as integrate or link government activities at all levels.
5) Enhancing managerial capabilities and abilities to execute major programs, becoming more creative to cope with new challenges and response quickly to unexpected changes.
6) Put good internal control systems in place, complying with legal requirements and keeping bureaucratic discretions within boundaries, as well as becoming more proactive in social responsibilities and environmental concerns.
7) Strive for performance excellence, ensuring high quality standards, and applying advanced technology to deliver world-class public service.
8) Seek new talent, knowledgeable and competent staff, promote ethical behavior and fight against corruption as well as encouraging paradigm shifts and changing the attitudes of existing public servants.