This book is an outcome of the academic forum “Four Years of the Subdistrict Administrative Organizations (SAO): Towards a Transition — Academic Dialogue and Policy Recommendations for Local Decentralization” by Creative Urban Solutions Center (CUSC), Chiang Mai, supported by the Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung (KAS), Federal Republic of Germany, and held on 14 November 2025 at Ubon Ratchathani University. Published at a pivotal moment as SAOs complete their four-year terms and move toward a new election cycle, the volume underscores the importance of systematically reviewing SAO performance, challenges, and future policy directions.
Bringing together analyses and reflections from academics and experts, the book serves as a platform for synthesizing knowledge on the evolving roles of SAOs amid Thailand’s decentralisation process. It aims to enhance public understanding of local governance while elevating SAO-related issues to the national policy agenda.
You can find the full collected essays file in the link shown on the right-hand side of this page.