Analysis of the Influence of Informal Factors toward National Security Policy Implementation Effectiveness in Southernmost Provinces of Thailand: A Study of Non-Government Units

Abstract

The purpose of this paper is to analyze the informal factors which influenced the effectiveness of the policy implementation toward national security policy concerning maintaining peace and order in the three southernmost provinces of Thailand. Important factors are mass media, local intellectual, local politicians, and local civil society organizations (CSOs). The result from this study reveals that apart from the Internal Security Operations Command Region 4 (ISOC4) and the Southern Border Provinces Administration Centre (SBPAC) which are the main government agencies responsible for devising and implementing policy in the region, non-government units as mentioned above have effects on national security policy implementation effectiveness in the three southernmost provinces of Thailand as well. These units are the insiders who understand the local context and are able to generate the cooperation from diverse sectors as well as local networks.

The contribution of this paper is to provide a clearer information of informal factors influenced effectiveness of national security policy implementation concerning maintaining peace and order in the three southernmost provinces of Thailand. The result can be used as a guideline for policy makers and policy implementers to become more aware of the possible pitfalls and constraints in implementing and managing national security policy and create possible opportunities to seek the solutions toward the unrest events in such area.

Keyword: policy implementation, policy effectiveness, national security policy, three southernmost provinces