Bangkok: The Director-General of the Department of Provincial Administration issued a policy announcement to establish a unified administrative team, aiming for seamless collaboration without divisions. This initiative, known as "1 Administrative Team, 6 Knowledgeable Persons, 8 Policies towards DOPANEXT," was revealed prior to the Director-General assuming responsibilities on August 4th.
According to Thai News Agency, Mr. Nirat Phongsitthaworn, the Director-General, set forth operational policies and guidelines for 2025 in a meeting with central executives, provincial secretaries, and district chiefs. The session took place both in-person at the Ratchabophit Conference Room, Ministry of Interior, and online. The core idea was to unify 878 district teams and 76 provincial teams into a single administrative entity, known as the DOPA TEAM.
The "6 Knowledgeable" framework emphasizes understanding crucial aspects: knowing the people to focus on public interest, knowing the area to leverage local strengths and opportunities, knowing duties to align government policies with public needs, fostering unity and shared responsibility, being aware of challenges, and building strong governance networks. These elements aim to maximize public benefits and foster a cohesive administrative approach.
The "8 Policies towards DOPANEXT" are structured into three parts: "New Era," "Excellence," and "Transformation." The "New Era" focuses on strong governance, transparency, and transforming risky areas. "Excellence" involves developing modern laws and fostering a service-oriented mindset. "Transformation" emphasizes the use of big data, digital technology adaptation, and connecting various sectors to usher in a new era of change for the Department of Provincial Administration.
Mr. Phongsitthaworn expressed his dedication to the department, likening his return to a homecoming. He reiterated the importance of the department's role within the Ministry of Interior, given its extensive coverage across districts, subdistricts, and villages. At 53, he conveyed his readiness to engage with all age groups and emphasized the importance of departmental unity to support broader ministerial objectives.