Department of Local Administration (DLA) has explored and established ASEAN database of local administrative organizations (LAO) in 2014. From January to July 2014, DLA collected data from 5,952 local administrative organizations (approximately 76% of all local administrative organizations) in 69 provinces. The purposes of establishing ASEAN database are 1) to classify local administrative organizations regarding roadmap for ASEAN communities 2) to gauge the readiness of local administrative organizations in integration of ASEAN 3) to acknowledge the progress of outstanding preparation work of local administrative organizations and 4) to identify issues and recommendations, that would need further facilitation and support from DLA, of local administrative organizations. In order to facilitating the use of information in tracking progress and taking consideration of strategic and action plans, DLA divides data into three groups which are Nation Overview, Groups of Provinces, and Provinces.
According to a survey of 371 local administrative organizations containing borders connected to neighboring countries, from 31 provinces, more than 74 percent of local administration organizations would prefer assistants on infrastructures and transportation system. In addition, 69 percent want supports on education. 52 percent want assistants on public health, while 45 percent of them want assistants on environmental issues. Furthermore, 42 percent of them need supports on tourism, and 30 percent of them would like supports on trade and investment. Lastly, 22 percent of local administrative organizations prefer assistants on identity.
In term of ASEAN preparation