• Military Menu                       

• Introduction
• Systems
• Facilities
• Agencies
• Industry
• Operations
• Countries
• Hot Documents
• News
• Reports
• Policy
• Budget
• Congress
• Links

• WMD
• Intelligence
• Homeland Security
• Space

Sufficiency Economy

His Majesty developed the philosophy of Sufficiency Economy to guide Thai people towards a balanced way of life. This concept is considered the key to sustainable development. It has been publicized widely and has also gained the recognition of the international community. The philosophy of Sufficiency Economy has been found in most projects initiated by His Majesty the King and it can be applied to all economic fields as well as public affairs. The Government is applying this philosophy to its development process, while many developing countries have sent delegations to study royally initiated projects on alternative development in Thailand, based on this concept.

In one of his royal addresses, His Majesty cautioned that it was not important whether or not Thailand became a “tiger” or a newly industrialized economy. The important thing was to have a selfsupporting economy. A self-supporting economy means to have enough to survive. In another royal speech on 23 December 1999, His Majesty the King said that the term “Sufficiency Economy” did not exist in textbooks, as it was a new theory. It is a middle-path philosophy to achieving equitable and stable development, which is often referred to as sustainable development. The philosophy points the way for Thailand to achieve contentment through knowledge of itself. His Majesty suggested that Thai people at all levels follow the “middle path” as an appropriate model for conduct in every aspect of life. The concepts of Sufficiency Economy and sustainable development are interrelated and will lead to self-reliance. With the focus on this philosophy, Prime Minister Surayud believes that the future of Thailand will be better.

Initiated by His Majesty the King, the Sufficiency Economy philosophy means moderation, reasonableness, and having a healthy “immune system” to protect each level of society against any impact caused by external and internal changes. Thailand suffered a great deal from the 1997 economic crisis and the bursting of the economy. In his address to well-wishers in an audience on 4 December 1997, His Majesty insisted that people’s approach to livelihood, trade, and consumption must be changed into a sustainable type for people to have enough to live on and to be relatively self-supporting. Even before the 1997 economic crisis, His Majesty began promoting the Sufficiency Economy philosophy.

The philosophy points the way for recovery and places emphasis on basic economic development to be carried out step by step, based on appropriate conduct in every aspect of life, in order to maintain sustainability. His Majesty’s vision of development has guided Thailand in a sustainable direction. It serves as insurance against the volatility of the world economy. At least, the weak and the vulnerable will have some protection, as everyone is encouraged to live within their means without extravagance.

In the Ninth National Economic and Social Development Plan, 2002 to 2006, the Sufficiency Economy philosophy was adopted as the guideline for national development and administration, together with the “people-centered approach.” According to a report prepared by the Office of the National Economic and Social Development Board, during the period of the 10th National Development Plan, Thailand is likely to face many changes in several contexts. So the country has to be prepared for new challenges and impacts by strengthening its immune system.

The 10th National Development Plan also continued to emphasize people as the center of development objectives, as stated in the eighth and ninth development plans. The vision is that Thailand will strive to become a “green and happiness society” under the democratic administration with His Majesty the King as Head of State. In order to achieve this vision, guidelines for the Sufficiency Economy philosophy will be adopted as the mission of the plan.

The mission consists of four major principles. The first principle seeks to develop people into quality citizens with both virtue and knowledge. In the second guideline, the Thai economy will be strengthened to create more stability and fairness. The third one seeks to maintain the country’s biodiversity, while strengthening the natural resource base and enhancing environmental quality. The fourth principle calls for good governance in national administration.

Five development strategies are included in the 10th National Economic and Social Development Plan.

1. The first strategy seeks to develop Thai society into a knowledge-based society, and the potential of Thai people will be enhanced to enable them to keep pace with the changing world. It focuses on a peaceful society and maintaining the Thai identity. This strategy will also prepare for demographic changes resulting from the growing number of older persons.
2. In the second strategy, community empowerment will receive greater attention in order to establish firm foundations for the country. Emphasis will also be placed on social justice, while promoting processes of learning and maintaining cultural diversity and Thai wisdom. Community economy will be stabilized and poverty will be eased.
3. The third strategy calls for economic restructuring to create equilibrium and competitiveness during this “Asian century.” In this regard, the Thai economy will be strengthened, with less dependence on external factors. The country’s infrastructure, logistics, and energy will be developed together with the production sector.
4. In the fourth strategy, Thailand will be developed on the basis of biodiversity. Communities will be allowed to play a greater role in natural resource management. Environment-friendly production and services will get a major boost.
5. The fifth strategy calls for the decentralization of administrative power and distribution of resources to the regional areas of the country. It also focuses on creating a culture of democracy and encouraging people to participate more in national development.

His Majesty emphasized the importance of moderation in pursuing one’s life. The ‘Middle Path,’ when practiced at the level of individuals, families, and communities, as well as collectively in pursuing a balanced national development strategy, will provide a firm foundation to face the challenges of today’s globalized world. It is reflected in His Majesty’s ‘Sufficiency Economy’ which, though practiced for a long time, gained prominence in the aftermath of the 1997 financial crisis. Sufficiency Economy involves applying moderation in all human endeavors. It lessens our appetite for wealth and wasteful consumption. It does not advocate isolationism but facilitates smoother integration into the global economy. And it helps strengthen the moral fiber of the nation by promoting honesty and integrity. Sufficiency Economy means having enough to survive and to lead a reasonably comfortable life without extravagance.