Sufficiency Economy as a Response to The Problem of Poverty in Thailand

Abstract

The Thai King's philosophy of 'Sufficiency Economy' as a means to alleviate poverty has recently been recognized by the United Nations in the presentation of the UNDP Human Development Lifetime Achievement Award. His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej has, since 1974, stressed the importance of economic self-reliance which is based on the Buddhist belief in the middle path to conduct ways of life to overcome poverty. Thailand learned many lessons from a financial crisis that followed the devaluation of the Thai baht in July 1997. The King's philosophy of self-reliance has gained new credence, reflected in government development policies aimed at improving the country's economic well being. Education and technology are being promoted as vital tools in line with an understanding of 'Sufficiency Economy' which implies moderation of aspirations and a balance between success and fulfilment. Education is the key to developing the full potential of the individual and is regarded by policy makers as instrumental in combating poverty. Human development as a concept and as a policy objective must encompass the economic, social and cultural dimensions of human life. This paper examines the importance of the King's philosophy of 'Sufficiency Economy' to education reform as a poverty reduction strategy in Thailand in the context of rapid economic and technological changes.

The Introduction of the Philosophy of Sufficiency Economy and Its Application to Consumer Context

“…It is a method for achieving a balanced way of life based on moderation, prudence, frugality, and social immunity in order to better prepare individuals to be more efficient when encountering any challenges arising from modernization, globalization, and other inevitable changes (Mongsawad 2010;Piboolsravut 2004). Therefore, the goals of PSE are to generate self-realization, resilient, and sustainable development from the level of individuals, families, communities to the society at large through the emphasis on foundation building, immunities enhancement, and resilience in modernized economic condition (Chalapati 2008;Piboolsravut 2004;Wibulswasdi, Piboolsravut and Pootrakool 2011). Not only does PSE offer people with foundation leading to a balanced way of life, but it also provides people with an opportunity to shape their lives based on their own capability (Mongsawad 2010).…”

Qualitative social vulnerability assessments to natural hazards: examples from coastal Thailand

“…According to the "philosophy of Sufficiency Economy" promoted by Thailand's King Bhumibol Adulyadej the people should strive for a moderate, self-dependent life without greed and overexploitation of natural resources (cf. Chalapati 2008). Many interviewees mentioned the King's philosophy and stated that they diversified their income already before the tsunami in terms of working in a second job in another sector and, more often, in terms of doing subsistence activities such as backyard farming (focus groups, pers.…”

Rural Villagers’ Quality of Life Improvement by Economic Self-Reliance Practices and Trust in the Philosophy of Sufficiency Economy

“…Khunthongjan and Onsibutra [20] reveal that the application of sufficiency economy principles at an individual level could increase social values such as social trust and community relations. Chalapati [21] reveals that poverty has been reduced in Thailand by applying the sufficiency economy philosophy in governmental policies. This means that educational development has been enormously supported by the governments, and local development based on a bottom-up approach has been widely implemented.…”