บทบาทของอาสาสมัครสาธารณสุขประจำหมู่บ้าน (อสม.) กับการเตรียมการเลือกตั้งการเมืองท้องถิ่น ตั้งแต่ พ.ศ.2563 ในเขตเทศบาลนครเชียงใหม่

Abstract

The objective of this study was to present the roles of village health volunteers (VHVs) in the preparation of local political elections since 2019 in Chiang Mai municipality. This paper focused on: 1. studying the history and development of village health volunteers (VHVs) in Chiang Mai municipality until present; 2. studying the characteristics of the power relations between village health volunteers and local politicians and between village health volunteers and people in Chiang Mai municipality; and 3. studying the characteristics of power relations affecting local elections in Chiang Mai municipality. The methodology of this study, consisting of qualitative research and data collection by in-depth interview and focus-group discussion. The informants consist of village health volunteers (VHVs), local politician and people in the municipal area. The data was analyzed using descriptive research. The results of the study revealed that the power relations between village health volunteers, people, and politicians were divided into 2 types: 1. Village health volunteers' interactions with people took the form in a reciprocal relationship. 2. The relationships between village health volunteers and politicians were informal but VHVs played an important role as a channel for politician to reach people in the area. The impact of relationships between village health volunteers (VHVs) and local politicians were shown in local political election by village health volunteers assist local politician in election campaign. This role has developed to be a patronage relationship between village health volunteers (VHVs) and local politicians.