Abstract:
Studies the roles and importance of the Interior Ministry Officers in the Thai society by examining the roles of the Ministry that cause its influence, its unique characteristics, its reactionary effects, and the expansion in the scope of its influence. These all impact the Thai politics and society. The methods used in the study are documentary research and in-depth interviews of both government officers and civilians. The outcome of the study shows that the government, roles, and authority of the Interior Ministry, which have had a long, continual development, are the factors that cause its strong bureaucratic structure. ln addition, the traditional Thai political culture still influence people's views of politics. This, in turn results in an increased importance of the Interior Ministry Officers. The importance of these officers has gradually but steadily and continually increased in all directions. This has a reactionary effect on people's views of politics, in that they come to accept the importance of the officers. Also, both directly and indirectly, the roles, functions, and power of the Interior Ministry, as well as the Thai society and politics are all affected the Interior Ministry becomes the center of politics. lts resources have been used for various purposes. As a result, the Interior Ministry seems like a political tool for the acquisition of social and political power which have been realized by many politicians.