Thai Political Reform: Opportunities and Challenges

Abstract

This research article titled Problems Analysis, Evaluation and Policy Recommendations for Driving Political Reform in Thailand: A Case Study of Strategic Transformation Office aims to examine the role, functions, and operational mechanisms of Strategic Transformation Office as a state apparatus mandated to support, coordinate, and monitor the implementation of national reform policies under the 20-Year National Strategy framework. The study specifically focuses on political reform. Its objectives are threefold:
(1) to analyze the problems and obstacles in implementing political reform through the role and performance of the Strategic Transformation Office; (2) to assess the effectiveness of its implementation processes; and
(3) to propose policy recommendations for enhancing the effectiveness of political reform in Thailand.

The findings reveal that although the Strategic Transformation Office plays a key role in policy analysis, coordination, and linking national-level strategies with implementation agencies, it lacks formal administrative and legal authority to enforce its recommendations. Consequently, many policy proposals remain unimplemented. The study highlights the necessity of strengthening the policy authority of the Strategic Transformation Office, including its capacity to allocate resources, monitor and evaluate relevant agencies, and provide formal policy direction. It also recommends the enactment of a dedicated legal framework to institutionalize the office and ensure its structural stability and legitimacy.

Furthermore, the study emphasizes that fostering meaningful and sustainable public participation is essential to enhancing transparency, accountability, and continuity in the reform process. This research not only reveals structural limitations in Thailand’s public sector governance but also proposes strategic institutional adjustments to enable a more effective and sustainable model of policy-driven reform.