Rural Local Government Finance and Its Management in Thailand: Reflections and Prospective Through Tambon Administrative Organisations

Abstract

This research article attempts to study and analyse different sources of revenue, pattern of expenditure and revenue-generating capacity and overall financial management assessment by different sizes of Tambon Administrative Organizations (TAOs). In the light of decentralised administrative and development practices of Thailand, particularly generating and managing local financial resources is the key for meeting people’s needs and executing their projects. TAO members and peoples in general are well aware of the need of adopting an efficient financial management system while generating more financial resources to fulfil the local development needs. Irrespective of revenue size and economic base of TAOs, it is not so easy to expand areas for generating local revenue. However, large Tambons have relatively advantage over small and medium ones. Similarly, the mixed economy type of TAOs has better scope than the agriculture type. Small TAOs have managed the financial resources better than others. Local revenue generation and efficient management of available resources is the key to support local development.