บทบาทของผู้นำในท้องถิ่นต่อการบริหารจัดการที่ดินอันเป็น สาธารณสมบัติของแผ่นดินสำหรับพลเมืองใช้ร่วมกัน ในตำบลแม่ทะ อำเภอแม่ทะ จังหวัดลำปาง

Abstract

The objectives of this study were: 1) to examine and explain the roles of local leaders in the administration of public land designated for common use in Maeta Sub-district, Maeta District, Lampang Province; 2) to analyze the problems and obstacles facing local leaders in the administration; and 3) to propose possible solutions to the problems facing local leaders in the administration of public land designated for common use. The study was conducted as qualitative research based on an analysis of relevant documents, an examination of the contexts in the area, and in-depth interviews with members of the community, who provided specific and objective-based information. The interviewees were 37 people in total: 11 people were the Mayor of Maeta sub-district, the sub-district headman, and 9 village headmen; 20 people were selected from the community to be representative of all people living in the area, with two chosen from each of the 10 villages, one being the leader of the housewives association, and the other was the leader of the elderly club; and 6 government officials working with rules, law, and public land designation for common use among the citizens in the area. The findings revealed that the roles of the local leaders in the administration of public land designated for common use in the area depended on their legal status, as local leaders performed the roles that were authorized by law. The roles of government officials were related to the assistance and support provided to the operations run by the government sectors. The results also showed that the sub-district leader and the village leaders played more important roles in administrating the land than the mayor because those leaders were close to the area, and people living there. This proved that they had a variety of roles in the community, especially the role in making decisions about administrating public and local affairs. This study found problems and obstacles affecting local leaders in the administration of public land designated for common use in the area. This included ignorance of the law and rules concerning the public land, unknown boundaries of that public land, inadequate budgets, complicated and slow bureaucratic procedures, intimidation from influential persons and high-ranked government officials, and a lack of unity and good-conscience in taking care of the public land among the citizens. Besides this, frequent changes in local leadership resulted in discontinuity and further problems in administration. The findings from study have led the authors to several recommendations. First, the government should establish trainings to enhance knowledge regarding rules and the law among community leaders so that they can perform their role in the administration of the land more effectively, facilitating the inspection of boundaries more efficiently, and speed up other important issues regarding public land. When there is a matter in dispute, it is also recommended that the local leaders should work more closely with the government officials to deal with that problem. The government should also allocate an adequate budget to support the government sectors and their officials to co-operate more effectively with the citizens and local leadership in the area. More importantly, there should be continual emphasis on keeping high moral standards in the performance of the duties of these local leaders, whose roles are essential to the public.