Sufficiency Economy Philosophy Research Articles

Implementation of Sustainable Transportation at Mahidol University, Salaya Campus, Thailand

Mahidol University is one of the leading sustainable universities in Thailand, which recognizes the importance of combining actions to achieve the 17 Sustainable Development Goals of the United Nations (17 Sustainable Development Goals: 17 SDGs) and the concept of Sufficiency Economy Philosophy. The eco-university and sustainability policy was launched and implemented in 2021 in order to reach the 17 SDGs. Transportation is one of the important issues of campus development. In order to reduce the greenhouse gas emission from private fossil based fuel transportation, the public transportation both inside and outside the campus area is provided including electric tram, shuttle bus and public bicycle. An Electric cart with solar energy was initiated and used on campus. Walking and cycling as primary means for commuting on campus have been promoted by reduction of vehicle traffic. Cycling lanes are improved and bicycle racks are provided around the campus. Around more than 10,000 bicycles including more than 500 public bicycles were used on campus. The parking areas were constructed and adjusted into green open spaces. Many outdoor spaces are created to support various kinds of activities and gatherings enhancing liveliness and variety to campus lifeKeyword: Mahidol University, Mobility, Transportation, Green area, Sustainability campus

Household financial management in rural village of Thailand during pandemic crisis based on sufficiency economy philosophy

Household accounting is an important aspect of financial sustainability. Every family must be accountable for their finances and ensure proper bookkeeping tendencies for several reasons. The objectives of this research were: 1) to study household accounting according to sufficiency economy philosophy in rural village, northeastern region of Thailand. 2) to study the correlation between personal factors and household finances based on the sufficiency economy philosophy. The sample group was 173 people from the village. The research instrument was a questionnaire, data analysis tools were descriptive statistics and inferential statistics (T-test and one-way ANOVA). Results of this study showed household financial management could help survive through an economic crisis (during the COVID-19 pandemic) with the highest level followed by fundamentals of sustainability and rural villager's knowledge in accounting aspect was at the middle level at statistically significant 0.5, the population with different factors in age, occupation, education, and a family member had an impact on household accounting and the population with different factors in gender and marital status had no impact on household accounting based sufficiency economic philosophy. In conclusion, rural villagers are poorly informed about financial management, which explains the poor financial sustainability in those areas.

Sufficiency Economy Philosophy (SEP): Thailand’s Emic Approach to Governance and Development as Evidence of an Asian Value-Oriented Inclusive Leadership Management Philosophy

Thailand has been at the core of the Asian Values debate since the 1992 World Conference on Human Rights. Sufficiency Economy Philosophy (SEP) is a concept developed by the late King Bhumibol Adulyadej to consolidate his approach to governance and development. Integrating values borrowed from Theravada Buddhism such as benevolence, emphasis on the middle way and on the public good. This article explores the development of SEP focussing on the role of values and leadership styles. SEP provides evidence of an Asian value-oriented inclusive leadership style, which is practiced in both the private and the public sectors. A model of SEP as a management style is presented and subjected to critical analysis.

The Integration of Innovation to Improve the Quality of Life for the Elderly According to the Sufficiency Economy Philosophy in the Upper Northeastern Region of Thailand

The situation faced by countries around the world is considered to be an event that has a profound impact on the well-being of the elderly. The socio-economic and political problems of Thailand are the problems that make it difficult for the elderly to adapt and struggle to Survival in today's society with both the spread of COVID-19. How is the integration of innovation in improving the quality of life for the elderly, therefore, is the main reason why it is necessary to urgently address the problem in connection with the Sustainable Sufficiency Economy Philosophy. Therefore, this research aims (1)To study the level of integration of innovation to improve the quality of life of the elderly according to the philosophy of sufficiency economy in the upper northeastern region. (2)To study the factors influencing the integration of innovation to improve the quality of life of the elderly according to the philosophy of sufficiency economy in the upper northeastern region. (3) to study the approach of integrating innovation to improve the quality of life of the elderly according to the philosophy of sufficiency economy in the upper northeastern region. The research used a mixed research method with a sample of 400 people, and interviews with 10 people. The quantitative data using descriptive statistics and multiple regression analysis. The data from in-depth interviews using the content analysis method revealed that:

Public participation for the development of tourist attraction on the Nawatwitee of sustainable cultural heritage and local wisdom to follow the Kings philosophy of sufficiency economy

The objective of this study is to examine the role of public participation, local wisdom, and sufficiency economy to enhance tourism attraction. This study preferred to examine the relationship between public participation, local wisdom, sufficiency economy, sustainable tourism heritage and tourism attraction. To attain the study objective, a survey questionnaire was used for data collection. Population of the study is the government and private tourism organizations, and employees of these tourism organizations working in Thailand were considered as respondents. The survey received 205 valid responses and used in data analysis. This study used Partial Least Square (PLS) to test the relationship between variables. Results of PLS structural model proposed the important contribution of public participation in tourism attraction. Public participation has the potential to enhance local wisdom and sufficiency economy which has relationship with sustainable tourism heritage. Further, the increase in sustainable tourism heritage increases the tourism attraction.

Public participation for the development of tourist attraction on the Nawatwitee of sustainable cultural heritage and local wisdom to follow the Kings philosophy of sufficiency economy

The objective of this study is to examine the role of public participation, local wisdom, and sufficiency economy to enhance tourism attraction. This study preferred to examine the relationship between public participation, local wisdom, sufficiency economy, sustainable tourism heritage and tourism attraction. To attain the study objective, a survey questionnaire was used for data collection. Population of the study is the government and private tourism organizations, and employees of these tourism organizations working in Thailand were considered as respondents. The survey received 205 valid responses and used in data analysis. This study used Partial Least Square (PLS) to test the relationship between variables. Results of PLS structural model proposed the important contribution of public participation in tourism attraction. Public participation has the potential to enhance local wisdom and sufficiency economy which has relationship with sustainable tourism heritage. Further, the increase in sustainable tourism heritage increases the tourism attraction.

THE INNOVATIVE APPROACH TO SUFFICIENCY ECONOMY IN THAILAND’S NORTHEASTERN REGION PROVINCES

The goal of this study is to explore the innovative approach to Sufficiency Economy at a household level. The data was collected by the use of questionnaires with 2,000 respondents as well as the interviews with community leaders from 54 Sufficiency Economy model villages in 5 provinces (Udon Thani Province, Nong Bua Lam Phu Province, Nong Khai Province, Bueng Kan Province, and Loei Province). The research findings revealed that the local people had faith in the leaders who devoted their time, money, and intelligence to the development of local communities. In other words, the community leaders should be the role-models of success for their people. With regards to the application of the Sufficiency Economy philosophy, saving money was the most applicable method at the household level, while working part-time was the least applicable method. Self-sufficient living was mentally learned and practiced the most, but it was economically learned and practiced the least. Moreover, it was suggested that “E-San (Northeastern)” family structure should integrate the older people’s way of life with the younger generations’ lifestyle in order to promote a sufficient and sustainable way of living. Accordingly, the model of “Great Leaders, Six Directions of Sufficient Way of Living” was formulated. The directions included 1) having a good mindset, 2) understanding the nature and the environment, 3) reducing expenses, 4) supporting each other, 5) having empathy, and 6) saving money.

Ageing society development strategy from a marginalised elderly group in Southern Thailand

ABSTRACT While the population is ageing rapidly, we are facing an economic crisis that needs a solution. This study with an elderly group in a Southern Thailand rural area found a suggestion model that applies Participatory Action Research (PAR) with “the ager's social capital” and “the Sufficiency Economy Philosophy (SEPP)” to empower seniors in solving their problems and needs. After four years, the group was upgraded to be the national social welfare management partner; their careers became a community enterprise, green products were created, and the elders received community-based management care.

Sustainable development and firm performance: Evidence from Thailand's sufficiency economy philosophy

AbstractThis study aims to examine the relationship between sufficiency economy philosophy (SEP) performance and the firm performance of Thai listed companies from 2013 to 2018 by using a novel measurement of SEP performance based on global reporting initiative guidelines. The higher SEP scores imply the firm is engaging more in SEP activities. Our empirical evidence shows support of our hypothesis, suggesting that SEP practice enhances firm accounting performance. Furthermore, several robustness checks confirm the results, including an instrumental variable analysis and propensity score matching technique.

The Development of Knowledge Management Program For The Leader on Self-Reliant Melientha Suavis Pierre Growing Learning Center Based on Sufficiency Economy Philosophy in Thailand

The Development of Knowledge Management Program For The Leader on Self-Reliant Melientha Suavis Pierre Growing Learning Center Based on Sufficiency Economy Philosophy in Thailand

Public administration based on the sufficiency economy philosophy

Public administration based on the sufficiency economy philosophy

COVID-19 Impacts on Rubber Farmers in Thailand: A Study of Behavioral Change and Livelihoods

The impacts of COVID-19 have yet to manifest and are not predictable due to their scale or nature. This is shown in the infection, morbidity, and mortality rates, even more so in the implications on the agriculture sector and agricultural trade. On the other hand, it is well known that these effects will have an impact on both small-scale agriculture and other links in the production chain. This study aims to examine the current situations and problems of households' socio-economic characteristics of Thai rubber farmers. The study correspondingly tries to identify the behavioral changes of rubber farmer households and livelihoods. The study found that many rubber Farmers are going to be hooked on loan from the community source. However, on the contrary, a large number of people become able to adjust and balance their lives in line with their financial aspects. The study found that, 93.6% farmers had decreasing incomes, while 47.7% had adequacy of household incomes, and 38.5% had economic dependency, e.g., borrowing money from the system outside. In contrast, to highlight the positive effects on the economy, the study found that most of the farmers (92.7%) saved money and considered more before spending during the pandemic. Similarly, an overwhelming portion (86.2%) of the farmers applied the philosophy of sufficiency economy for livelihoods, while 74.3% had built institution and culture of saving for households, and 73.4% had attempted to seek more income to support their family.

Collaborative Partnership and New Farm Management for Solving Drought According to Different Geo-Social Environment in the Northeast of Thailand

This article studied the collaborative partnership among governmental organisations, local farmer scholar leaders and farmers at the local level. Their collaborative partnership aimed to promote and strengthen grassroots participation through new farm management. The farmer families tried to cope with drought situation by learning and practising new skills at local farmer scholar leaders’ learning centres. They were supported by related external and internal organisations in order to manage their agricultural areas when confronted with drought and infertile soil. The physical aspect, rolling landscape and mostly sandy soil, combined with excessive water in the rainy season became conditions that heavily affected crops in the northeast of Thailand. This was regarded as a major agricultural problem within the region considered as the most poverty-stricken area of the country. Through learning and exchanging views among the farmers, from various geo-social environments, regarding their drought experiences and new farm management techniques, it was found that they had attained considerable success in improving their appropriate, self-reliant and environmentally friendly agricultural practices, guided by, and complied with, the principles and philosophy of sufficiency economy.

Sufficiency Economy Philosophy (SEP): Thailand's Emic Approach to Governance and Development as Evidence of an Asian-value Oriented Inclusive Leadership Management Philosophy

Sufficiency Economy Philosophy (SEP): Thailand's Emic Approach to Governance and Development as Evidence of an Asian-value Oriented Inclusive Leadership Management Philosophy

King Bhumibol Adulyadej’s Sufficiency Economy Philosophy and Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder among Higher-Education Students from the Armed Conflict Region of Thailand

This cross-sectional survey assessed the association between post-traumatic stress disorder symptoms and perceived self-sufficiency, reflecting the Sufficiency Economy Philosophy (SEP), conceived by H.M. King Bhumibol Adulyadej (King Rama IX). It was conducted among university students on one campus located within the area affected by the Southern Thailand insurgency and another campus located in a nearby province outside of the restive area. All self-administered questionnaires consisted of questions related to personal information, the Thai version of the PTSD checklist, and a questionnaire aimed at measuring the perceived self-sufficiency according to H.M. King Bhumibol Adulyadej’s SEP. The study found that most university students in the restive area affected by the Southern Thailand insurgency perceived to live sufficiently according to H.M. King Bhumibol Adulyadej’s SEP. The rate of perceived self-sufficiency was also higher than reported by the students from the other campus in a nearby province. Moreover, self-sufficiency exhibited a significant inverse association with PTSD symptoms.

A Revival for Thailand’s Textile Traditions: New Value for Local Materials (Eri Silk) through Art Practice

This article is aimed at presenting information about Thai textiles as well as proposing practical guidelines on preservation and revival of Thailand’s artistic tradition of textiles knowledge in order to enhance the value of local material Eri silk. With employed research methods, the researcher conducted literature review from various sources of book and online material as well as field observation from a case study to summarize and analyze the data. This research purposes to understand material knowledge in textiles context and to highlight the significance of local material value. This article presents the current status of Eri silk in Thailand and important aspects of Eri silk fiber. It is a local material used by weavers in the Northeast of Thailand with its unique fibrous properties such as sustainable material, performance qualities, and ethical merit status. This study will point out the importance of the development of textile in Thailand base on Sufficiency Economy Philosophy 1 . It is anticipated that the findings may help raise the material knowledge and contribution to the sustainable development in textile and fashion cultures in Asia, as well as in our contemporary world.

Information analysis and evaluation model (IAEM) of Thai economy sustainability based on SEP and SDGs

The economic system of Thailand is predicated on cooperation between parties that are affected by economic decisions, partnerships between public and private entities, and robust relationships in the local community to foster sustainable development. Economic development in Thailand is managed by the community and government with support from the business sector. The economic system of Thailand aims to balance three conceptual pillars that can be described as ‘social, economic, and environmental’ dimensions. However, there is a lack of tools for data analysis and the evaluation of community well-being and economic functioning that can be applied to all relevant situations independent of external factors. In this paper, these authors produced an information analysis and evaluation model of the local economy (IAEM) that is based on the application of the Sufficiency Economy Philosophy (SEP) and Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Data were collected using a questionnaire that was evaluated by experts regarding the project's capacity to meet economic, social, and environmental development goals according to the SEP for SDGs, which demonstrated a reliability of 0.88. For our statistical analysis, Multiple Linear Regression Analysis, Decision Matrix Analysis, K-Means, Percentage, and Average were performed for the analysis of data. The results showed that the SEP has a significant relationship to the SDGs at 89.60% (R2 = 0.896, p < 0.001). IAEM provides a framework for analysis and evaluation of the local economy in six clusters that consist of water resources (WAT), human capacities and capabilities (HUM), economic stability (ECO), healthy communities (HEA), climate change (CLI), and the agricultural sector (AGR). Our results indicate that the IAEM can be used for the analysis and evaluation of the sustainability of a local economy based on the three pillars. The IAEM can be applied to policies and projects in sustainable development at each level of the local economy based on the SEP in a partnership with SDGs; this observation suggests that more implementation of development projects in accordance with the SEP will lead to increased development towards SDGs based on the three dimensions outlined.

Participation in self-care based on the sufficiency economy philosophy among midlife women in Thailand.

This study aimed to explore the process of participation in self-care based on the sufficiency economy philosophy among midlife women in Thailand. The study design used a participatory action research approach. The participants were 30 community-dwelling Thai midlife women (aged 35-60years) who participated in developing self-care processes and exchanging information in a group. However, there were 20 women who were willing and available to participate an interview. Demographic data were collected. Two in-depth interviews were conducted with each participant, and observation notes were recorded. Data were analysed by using content analysis. The following six major themes emerged that described the participatory process in self-care: (a) Assessing health status and self-care practice; (b) Brainstorming, setting priorities for health problems and selecting problem-solving methods; (c) Performing selected self-care activities following the plan and using available community resources; (d) Sharing knowledge and experience in performing self-care; (e) Evaluating health outcomes after self-care and (f) Sustaining self-care by continuing to perform self-care and influencing others to perform self-care. In conclusion, the success of self-care based on the sufficiency economy philosophy among midlife women was determined by the women's participation in self-care activities. Midlife women with the intention to regularly perform self-care experienced good health outcomes.

Scoring Sufficiency Economy Philosophy through GRI Standards and Firm Risk: A Case Study of Thai Listed Companies

The purpose of this study is to evaluate sufficiency economy philosophy (SEP) performance through annual reports and voluntary sustainable development reports and examines the relationship between SEP performance and firm-specific risk of Thai listed companies from 2013 to 2018. Based on global reporting initiative (GRI) standards, the SEP performance was measured by aligning each GRI topic with each of the SEP elements to create an SEP scoring system. The scoring system was applied and tested by evaluating 34 firms for six years. The outcome scores were recorded in panel data structure and used to test two competing hypotheses of risk reduction and managerial opportunism. The regression results supported the risk reduction hypothesis and thus practicing SEP reduced firm-specific risk. Since our sample was limited to 34 firms, a two-stage least squares instrumental variable (2SLS-IV) analysis was performed to estimate the causal relationship between SEP performance and firm-specific risk. The result remained negatively and significantly correlated, indicating that SEP practice stimulated business sustainability. The finding suggested that the SEP scoring system was able to capture SEP performance and practicing SEP appeared to reduce firm-specific risk, which was consistent with the risk reduction hypothesis of the stakeholder theory.

Mindfulness and Sufficiency Economy: Framework for Waste Management Reform

Due to increase in population, economic expansion, growth and expansion of the city, more waste problems are increasing and becoming a global problem that every country encounters. Only waste management policies from government and waste management campaigns from private sectors cannot keep up with the excessive waste amount unless all people in societies become aware that their cooperation in waste reduction can make a great contribution. This paper provides an overview of waste management in Thailand, how private sectors take part in waste management, and how consumers in communities can contribute in waste reduction. It also suggests the framework of mindfulness and Sufficiency Economy Philosophy for waste management reform. Documentary study and literature review were used for data collection. The results showed that consumers can be a big producer of waste due to their overconsumption behavior, so they can take the major role in waste reduction with moderate consumption. Mindfulness can conduct consumers to stay awake and aware of waste problems and have a sense of caring towards other people, their communities and environment. Sufficiency Economy philosophy can work as a guideline for consumers to make ethical choice with moderation, reasonableness, and prudence. With the framework of mindfulness and sufficiency economy philosophy, waste management reform can be conducted at the beginning stage for waste reduction before it is generated. With the care of environment and their communities, consumers will be willing to work together with government and private sectors in following 3R (Reduce, Reuse, Recycle) concept for sustainability.