| The aim of this research is to understand local service delivery in Thailand's post-2006 national political crisis. The researcher collected qualitative data in four municipalities in Khon Kaen Province. The analytical framework covered five moderating variables: political institutions, civic engagement, political leadership, governance, and political economy. The results were mixed. Local service delivery suffered from weakening electoral mechanisms, suspended local autonomy, weakened civic participation and policy networks, insecure local administrators, worsened central-local trust, and the detrimental effect on local economies. However, there were opportunities for improved, or maintained, local service delivery through the lessening of administrative procedures, a fast-track mechanism for citizen complaints, stronger collaboration among local governments and with the private sector, local citizen initiatives, effective local leadership, and increasing trust between local governments and their constituents. In conclusion, national political crisis caused not only negative impacts, but also created opportunities for improving or maintaining local service delivery. |
