THE APPLICATION OF GOOD GOVERNANCE AND ETHICS OF LOCAL POLITICIANS AFFECTING THE EFFICIENCY OF PUBLIC SERVICE PROVISION IN CHONBURI PROVINCE

Abstract

This research article aimed to: 1) examine the level of efficiency in public service delivery by local politicians; 2) analyze the application of good governance principles and ethics of local politicians affecting public service delivery in Chonburi Province; and 3) propose guidelines for improving the efficiency of public service delivery in Chonburi Province. The study employed a mixed-methods research design based on the concepts and theories of Millet (1945), the Office of the Prime Minister’s Principles of Good Governance (1999), and the Constitution of the Kingdom of Thailand (1997). The quantitative component targeted a population of 1,613,119 residents aged 18 years and over living in Chonburi Province. A sample size of 384 respondents was determined using the Krejcie and Morgan table. Data were collected using a five-point Likert-scale questionnaire and analyzed using frequency, percentage, mean, standard deviation, and multiple regression analysis. The qualitative component involved in-depth interviews with 15 key informants, consisting of five local politicians, two officials from local administrative organizations, and five general citizens. Qualitative data were analyzed through content analysis.

  The findings revealed that: 1) the overall level of efficiency in public service delivery by local politicians in Chonburi Province was high. All five dimensions were rated at a high level, with progressive service delivery recording the highest mean score, followed by equitable service provision and timely service delivery, while service adequacy and service continuity showed the lowest mean scores; 2) seven factors related to the application of good governance principles and ethics of local politicians jointly predicted the efficiency of public service delivery in Chonburi Province at 54.8 percent, with statistical significance at the .05 level; and 3) a key recommendation is to promote and integrate human rights principles and non-discrimination throughout all stages of public service delivery by establishing clear criteria and guidelines for officials, in order to enhance the quality of public services in a fair and sustainable manner.