Abstract
The purpose of this study was to explore the implementation of the Local Administrative Organizations
(LAOs) according to a Resolution of the National Health Assembly 2008. Data were collected by using
questionnaires in September 2009. The subjects were 195 staff of LAOs. The study also involved a focus
group discussion with 20 staff members from the Provincial Administration Organization (PAO), League of
Municipalities, and Tambon Administration Organization (TAO). Descriptive statistics were used to analyze
the quantitative data and the qualitative data were analyzed by content analysis.
The results revealed that the majority of the subjects did not get information about the Resolution of
the National Health Assembly 2008, especially on item number 1.7 “Roles of Local Administrative Organizations
in Managing Health, Natural Resources and Environment”. However, they functioned in these roles
by their own plans, which conform with the resolution, because they had been funded by the National
Health Security Office.
The major problems of policy implementation were (1) lack of knowledge in assessing health impacts;
and (2) the Association of PAOs, the League of Municipalities and the Association of TAOs having taken
very little action on pushing the resolution.
The recommendations from this research are as follows: (1) The National Health Commission Office
(NHCO) and related organization should build the capacity of the local authorities, especially in health
impact assessment and using health assembly tools; (2) the Association of PAOs, the League of Municipalities
and the Association of TAOs should be core mechanisms to communicate the resolution of the National
Health Assembly, which is involved with the role of the local authorities and to analyze the rules and regulations
which constitute obstacles for managing good health within a suitable environment.
