Political Strategy of Senior Bureaucrats in Structural Expansion in Thailand
Arunee Santhitiwanich, Bidhya Bowornwathana

Abstract
Several studies on administrative reform have shown that the senior bureaucrats in large bureaucratic structure are major beneficiaries from the reform. However, these studies have largely ignored the political behavior of senior bureaucrats who directed the reform. As a result of this, this study is set to explore the role of senior bureaucrats in the process of expanding the bureaucracy. The expansion of departments in the Ministry of Justice in Thailand during 2001 – 2010 is used as a case study. In-depth interviews and documentary research are used as main research methodology. The study found that most senior bureaucrats who played a leading role in the reform had large interests in expanding the bureaucracy. However, they employed different strategies to meet their goals depending on their political network and bureaucratic patronage.

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