A STUDY OF SOUTHERN BORDER PROVINCESADMINISTRATIVECENTRE PROVINCESDEVELOPMENT STRATEGY 2015 - 2017

Abstract

This research aims 1) to study the structure of the Southern Border Provinces Administrative Centre (SBPAC) during the Provinces Development Strategy 2015-2017, 2) to study the operation of the Southern Border Provinces Administrative Centre to reduce the conflict according to the Provinces Development Strategy 2015-2017, 3) to study the factors and problems affecting the operation of the Centre according to the Provinces Development Strategy 2015-2017, and 4) to study the guidelines for reducing conflict in the Southern border provinces.

The sample group was divided into three parts: information from related persons, namely, the Secretary-General of the SBPAC, the Deputy Secretary General of the SBPAC, and Government officers who performed duties related to the area of study. The researcher created a summary from the analysis to connect descriptions and data from the questionnaires provided by the sample group, namely; civil servants and government officials, with a minimum of one-year work experience – a total of 508 people. The researcher received 415 questionnaires; 412 were complete representing 81 percent of the total population of the agency. The researcher analyzed the data, the presentation of which is divided into 4 parts; Part 1: an analysis of the personal information of the respondents, Part 2: an analysis of the organizational structure, Part 3: an analysis of operational data, and Part 4: an analysis of factors affecting conflict reduction. The research instruments were first-hand interviews where data was collected from senior executives, and questionnaires submitted by agency officers. The questionnaire consisted of individual questionnaires which were distributed in five mission groups. The data used in the study is composed of primary data (data from the questionnaires and interviews) which is based upon theoretical concepts, related research, and academic research and databases. Secondary data was collected books, academic papers, meeting-minutes, detailed searches from media, and data analysis. The researcher applies the data obtained from individual interviews and group interviews, by analyzing the interview content and data from questionnaires. The researcher used a computer program for the data analysis; SPSS for Windows version 13.0 designed for social science research. The statistical analysis consists of frequency, percentage, mean, standard deviation, analysis of variance: ANOVA, multiple comparisons, and a Stepwise multiple regression analysis.

The results reveal that 1) there were six factors affecting the conflict, including economic, social, religious, education, security, human rights, and foreign affairs related factors; 2) problems and obstacles to conflict reduction were: (1) inadequate personnel: the SBPAC has a large number of internal departments, due to the adherence to the SBPAC mission determined in the Act, causing internal divisions; (2) The number of internal departments: the internal structure of the SBPAC is too large. This may be due to the fact that executives feel that departmental separation can move the mission more smoothly forward , however, this the research shows that this created difficulties for internal authorities. The guidelines for reducing the conflict in the southern border provinces consists of, firstly; the strategies of His Majesty the King to understand, access, develop and implement the sufficiency economy philosophy, adhering to a peaceful approach as the norm for problem solving honestly, seriously, sincerely and with understanding. Secondly; the development of education, thirdly; the religious amendment was to allow religious leaders (Imams) in the area to recognize true Islamic principles, fourthly; creating unity in work, fifthly; the promotion of coexistence under cultural diversity should open political areas and offer opportunities to the various groups of people to express opinions and concerns about the peace process, and finally; the application of the information technology which operates to provide more accurate and immediate news between government officials and people.