Public Participation Impacts Local Development in Nong Wua So District, Udon Thani Province

Abstract

            This research aimed to study: (1) public participation, (2) local development, (3) the influence of public participation on local development, and (4) to propose guidelines for local development. The sample consisted of 397 eligible voters aged 18 years and above residing in Nong Wua So District, selected using Yamane’s formula. The research instrument was a questionnaire. The reliability coefficients were 0.770 for the public participation dimension and 0.908 for the other related dimension of public participation. Data were analyzed using a statistical software package. The statistical methods used for data analysis included percentage, mean, standard deviation, Pearson’s correlation coefficient, and stepwise multiple regression analysis.

            The research findings revealed that: 1. Overall, public participation in Nong Wua So District, Udon Thani Province was at a high level. 2. Overall, local development in Nong Wua So District, Udon Thani Province was also at a high level. 3. The relationship between public participation and local development in Nong Wua So District, Udon Thani Province was found to be a moderate positive correlation (r = 0.424), which was statistically significant at the 0.01 level. 4. Public participation significantly affected local development in Nong Wua So District, Udon Thani Province at the 0.01 level of statistical significance, and the variables jointly predicted 44.90% of the variance in educational effectiveness, and 5. Guidelines for local development in Nong Wua So District, Udon Thani Province include providing vocational training programs that are aligned with the local context, establishing land-use planning in accordance with the area’s potential, and promoting equal access for all groups of people to educational services, public health services, and social welfare services.