Best Practice 6 ( Thematic Area: Institutional Governance

What are included in this report?  Background of Prik Municipalilty  The Best Practice Model  Innovative Elements  Involvement and Activities  Why this model is viewed as best practice

Map of Thailand highlighting Songkhla Province Background of Prik Municipality  located 8 km from the Thai-Malaysian border  a tambon (subdistrict) municipality located in Sadao district, Songkhla province in the southern part of Thailand Best Practice 6 (  Population (2009) – 6,114 or 1,412 households  7 communities  90% of the population is Muslim, the rest are Buddhist  Most people work in agricultural sector, the rest are in wage labours or in commerce Songkhla Province

Best Practice 6 ( 7 Communities in Prik Municipality

Best Practice 6 ( CommunityPrimary ActivitiesSecondary Activities Prik Tok CommunityReligious activities Occupational activities:  Horm Jiew (fried onions)  Catfish feeding Rarn Nai CommunityReligious activities Occupational activities:  Production of Thai desserts Thalad Tai-Ban Klang Community  Where the Recycle Bank was initiated Religious activities Occupational activities:  Thai dessert  Chili paste making Thalad Prik CommunityReligious activities Occupational activities:  Fresh flower management Thung Ork Community (“the eastern field”) Religious activities Occupational activities:  Preparation of fresh coconut milk Suan Mom Community -where the first palm oil tree planted in Prik still exists Religious activities Occupational activities:  Production of curry paste  Sewing Prik Tai CommunityReligious activitiesOccupational activities:  Catfish feeding  Sewing Major Activities in the 7 Communities

Best Practice 6 ( The Best Practice Model Municipal policies and the focus on the good governance concept

Best Practice 6 ( The Best Practice Model  people-oriented governance  employed the concept of civil society and participatory governance which are strategies that lead to participatory local government administration  works via a “partnership-based” approach and to shift from “local government-based” to local governance- based”

Best Practice 6 ( The Best Practice Model  Has municipal policies covering the 8 issues: 1.Natural resource & environmental management 2.Infrastructure development 3.Sufficiency economy development 4.Educational, art, & cultural development 5.Healthcare & quality of life development 6.Disaster prevention & community tidiness development 7.Social development 8.Good governance

Best Practice 6 ( Innovative Elements 1. Good Governance Concept 2. Prik Administrative System 3. Healthy Tambon Project Puts emhasis on transparency, accountability & participation Learning organizations From bureaucratic to a more flexible approach the application of Prik municipality’s vision of “sufficient economy, the community livelihood’s tie, human-centered-based development, and the peaceful civil society.”

Best Practice 6 ( Innovative Elements 1. Good Governance Concept Main Elements: Transparency – clear operational rules internally (administration) and free-flow of information in operations externally Communication channels: Community Organization council (inspects & audits the performance of the municipal authority); community fora; monthly meetings; community core meetings Accountability – the local authority being responsible for providing explanation and justification of their actions.

Best Practice 6 ( Innovative Elements 1. Good Governance Concept Main Elements: Participation – formal and informal - formal participation (e.g. local election) - informal participation (e.g. getting involved in the policy-making process: problem identification, needs prioritization, plans and policies formulation, implementation and evaluation)

Best Practice 6 ( Innovative Elements 2. Prik Administrative System Prik municipality has its own administrative style: Coaching project – refers to the continuing human resource development based on the simple concept that development can improve the life of mankind - established “learning organization” believing that success depends on all members of the organization learning together Building up understanding, knowledge and awareness – refers to the adjustment of the municipal staff in changing the working style from bureaucratic to a more flexible approach

Best Practice 6 ( Innovative Elements 2. Prik Administrative System The learning process of Prik municipality has four core stages to ensure fewer boundaries between different tasks: Adaptation Exchange Dynamism Revolve

Best Practice 6 ( Innovative Elements 3. Healthy Tambon Project The Healthy Tambon (sub-district) concept refers to the application of Prik municipality’s vision of “sufficient economy, the community livelihood’s tie, human-centered-based development, and the peaceful civil society.”

Best Practice 6 ( Innovative Elements 3. Healthy Tambon Project 6 systems were developed to achieve the vision: 1.The Tambon/local governance system 2.The environmental management and energy system 3.The community-based economy, welfare, and safe agriculture system 4.The learning and educational system 5.The voluntary healthcare system 6.The communication system

Best Practice 6 ( 1.The Tambon/local governance system Innovative Elements This system refers to the public sector management following the principles of good governance. The municipality’s administrative system is run according to the mechanisms of “active partnership”.

Best Practice 6 ( Innovative Elements This system aims to maximize the value of waste as well as to promote alternative and renewable energy at household level. 2. The environmental management and energy system

Best Practice 6 ( Innovative Elements Most activities conducted by community core teams are in this system. The concept of transparency, participation, efficiency and effectiveness has been applied in operating and mobilizing the groups. 3. The community-based economy, welfare, and safe agriculture system

Best Practice 6 ( Innovative Elements This system refers to opportunities available for learning and sharing through all styles (formal, informal, autonomous learning).It aims for education for all generations. 4. The learning and educational system

Best Practice 6 ( Innovative Elements This system refers to a holistic approach in healthcare services for all, especially abandoned and disadvantaged people. 5. The voluntary healthcare system

Best Practice 6 ( Innovative Elements This system acts both as a channel for people to participate in and as a way to ensure the municipality’s transparency. It aims to provide information about the municipality’s activities which will lead to a greater understanding of these activities by local people. 6. The communication system

Best Practice 6 ( Involvement and Activities Persons Involved Role/Involvement Municipal MayorInitiated the best practice model Lead constituents toward “human- centered “ development

Best Practice 6 ( Involvement and Activities Persons InvolvedRole/Involvement Civil Society Groups  Community’s core- team members  Learning centers or occupational groups  Community Organization Councils Play important role in realizing Prik’s vision Serve as community leaders Where other municipalities can learn from Work in parallel with the municipal councils to inspect and audit the performance of the municipal authority

Best Practice 6 ( Involvement and Activities Persons InvolvedRole/Involvement Local CommunityFormed groups to conduct the following activities: -Environmental management and energy system -Community-based economy -Healthcare volunteer system

Best Practice 6 ( Results Achieved & Relevance to Public Life  Development of “civic culture” and sense of co- ownership  Improved living situation of the local people  Improved tourism which generated business opportunities  Recognitions and awards

Best Practice 6 ( Why this model is viewed as best practice  It shows the integration of a local community in a collaborative effort towards a shared vision  It promotes community participation that can be fostered through a learning-based society.

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