Skip to main content Accessibility help
×
Hostname: page-component-586b7cd67f-dlnhk Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-11-26T17:18:05.926Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false

10 - A different form of sustainable development in Thailand and Bhutan: Implementation of a sufficiency approach

from Part I - Sustainable Development: Theories and Practices

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  23 December 2021

Get access

Summary

The pressures of economic development on society and environment in Asia have resulted in national sustainability policy responses in two countries, Thailand and Bhutan, that derive from a traditional Buddhist approach but which have been modernized in the light of the contemporary global challenges that these Asian nations face. Referred to as Sufficiency Economy in Thailand and Gross National Happiness in Bhutan, these responses have been adopted because of the pressures of development and associated environmental and social costs. The Sufficiency Economy and Gross National Happiness approaches have been shaped to assist in the formulation and implementation of ethically sound policies to protect the environment, society, and individuals – in line with traditional Buddhist spiritual, ethical, and cultural teachings. This chapter examines examples of how Sufficiency Economy and Gross National Happiness have been realized. Aspects of Thailand’s process of implementing Sufficiency Economy and Bhutan’s adoption of Gross National Happiness are discussed via two empirical case examples: Local Agenda 21/Local Action 21 projects in Thailand in 2000–2003, and the implementation of energy and environmental policy projects in Bhutan. It is concluded that the furtherance of these contemporary sustainability approaches sourced from Buddhist principles is very important for the future of these nations.

Type
Chapter
Information
Publisher: Cambridge University Press
Print publication year: 2022

Access options

Get access to the full version of this content by using one of the access options below. (Log in options will check for institutional or personal access. Content may require purchase if you do not have access.)

References

ADC (2005) Bhutan Subprogram Energy 2005–2007: Support of Rural Energy, Hydropower Generation and Capacity Building. Vienna, Austrian Development Cooperation.Google Scholar
Bossel, H. (1998) Earth at a Crossroads: Paths to a Sustainable Future. Cambridge, Cambridge University Press.Google Scholar
Bothe, W. (2015) In the name of king, country, and people on the Westminster model and Bhutan’s constitutional transition. Democratization, 22(7), 1,3381,361.Google Scholar
Bowornwathana, B. (2002) Governance reform in Thailand: Questionable assumptions, uncertain outcomes. Governance, 13(3), 393408.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
CBS (Centre for Bhutan Studies) (2017) Happiness, Transforming the Development Landscape. Thimphu.Google Scholar
Chaipattana Foundation and TDRI (Thailand Development Research Institute) (1999) From crisis to sustainable development. TDRI Quarterly Review, 14(1), 1020.Google Scholar
Chaipattana Foundation (2000) Sufficiency Economy. Chaipattana Foundation Journal, December. https://www.chaipat.or.th/publication/journal/cpf-journal-1.html?start=60 (accessed 18 September 2020)Google Scholar
Dagachhu Hydro Power Corporation Limited (2018) UNFCCC Monitoring Report 2017. Bhutan, Dagachhu Hydropower Project. https://cdm.unfccc.int/filestorage/J/W/B/JWBXG80RK1L9C5FHD3Y4A6EZ2POM7Q/MR.pdf?t=N298cWd1cHNsfDCE--YuEham7BD5_iIy6ngB (accessed 18 September 2020)Google Scholar
Daniere, A. and Takahashi, M. L. (2002) Rethinking Environmental Management in the Pacific Rim: Exploring Local Participation in Bangkok, Thailand. Burlington, VT, Ashgate Publishing.Google Scholar
Department of Environmental Quality Promotion (n.d.) A Guideline to Sustainable Development. Bangkok.Google Scholar
Department of Environmental Quality Promotion (2002a) Korat Municipality towards Sustainable Development: Local Agenda 21 in Thailand. Final Report of the Thai-Swedish Cooperation Programme on Local Agenda 21. Bangkok.Google Scholar
Department of Environmental Quality Promotion (2002b) Trang Municipality towards Sustainable Development: Local Agenda 21 in Thailand. Final Report of the Thai-Swedish Cooperation Programme on Local Agenda 21. Bangkok.Google Scholar
DNV (Det Norske Veritas) (2010) Validation report Dagachhu Hydropower project in Bhutan. Report No. 2006–0614. http://cdm.unfccc.int/Projects/DB/DNV-CUK1247228633.76/view (accessed 24 September 2018)Google Scholar
Dryzek, J. (2005) The Politics of the Earth: Environmental Discourses (2nd ed). Oxford, Oxford University Press.Google Scholar
Dwivedi, P. O. (1996) Satyagraha for conservation: Awakening the spirit of Hinduism. In Gottlieb, S. R. (ed.), This Sacred Earth: Religion, Nature, Environment, pp. 151163. New York, Routledge.Google Scholar
Dwivedi, P. O. e7 (2005) e7 Bhutan Micro Hydropower CDM Project. Project Design Document, e7 Fund for Sustainable Energy Development, UNFCCC Secretariat. http://cdm.unfccc.int/Projects/DB/JACO1113389887.76/view (accessed 24 September 2018)Google Scholar
Frame, B. (2005) Bhutan: A review of its approach to sustainable development. Development in Practice, 15(2), 216221.Google Scholar
Giri, S. (2004) The Vital Link: Monpas and Their Forests. Thimphu, The Centre for Bhutan Studies. https://dorjipenjore.files.wordpress.com/2015/09/the-vital-linkc2a0-monpas-and-their-forests.pdf (accessed 13 January 2019)Google Scholar
Government of Thailand (2002) Speech of Princess Chulabhorn Mahidol. Johannesburg, World Summit on Sustainable Development.Google Scholar
Government of Thailand (2016) A Practical Approach toward Sustainable Development: Thailand’s Sufficiency Economy Philosophy. Bangkok, Ministry of Foreign Affairs. https://data.opendevelopmentmekong.net/en/dataset/a-practical-approach-toward-sustainable-development-thailand-s-sufficiency-economy-philosophy/resource/d566301e-1f2a-4344–8837-68d7e6d27112?inner_span=True (accessed 13 January 2019)Google Scholar
Gregson, J. (2000) Interview of King Jigme Wangchuck. In Kingdoms Beyond the Clouds: Journeys in Search of the Himalayan Kings. London, Macmillan.Google Scholar
Hewison, K. (2002) Responding to economic crisis: Thailand’s localism. In McCargo, D. (ed.), Reforming Thai Politics. pp. 143162. Copenhagen, Nordic Institute of Asian Studies.Google Scholar
Ikoma, M. and Tshering, K. (2005) Lessons from e7 Bhutan Micro Hydro Power CDM Project. In e7 Open Forum at COP11/MOP1, Montreal.Google Scholar
International Council for Local Environmental Initiatives (2002) Second Local Agenda 21 Survey, Background Paper No. 15, submitted to Commission on Sustainable Development, UN Department of Economic and Social Affairs, New York. https://divinefreedomradio.files.wordpress.com/2013/10/sustainabledevelopment2nd-prepsession.pdf (accessed 24 September 2018)Google Scholar
IWRAW (International Women’s Rights Action Watch) (1997) Country Report: Thailand. http://hrlibrary.umn.edu/iwraw/publications/countries/thailand.htm (accessed 13 January 2019)Google Scholar
Kezang, K. and Whalley, J. (2004) Telecommunications in the land of the thunder dragon: recent developments in Bhutan. Telecommunications Policy, 28(11), 785800.Google Scholar
Kingdom of Bhutan and JICA (Japan International Cooperation Agency) (2019) Project on Power System Master Plan 2040: Final Report. https://openjicareport.jica.go.jp/pdf/12326856_01.pdf (accessed 18 September 2020)Google Scholar
Klausner, J. W. (2002) Thai Culture in Transition. Bangkok, Amarin Printing and Publishing.Google Scholar
Klein, R. J. (2003) Public participation and hearings in the new Thai political context. In Haller, J. K. and Siroros, P. (eds.), Legal Foundations for Public Consultation in Government Decision-Making, pp. 113129. Bangkok, Executive Public Administration Foundation, Thammasat University.Google Scholar
Leknoi, U. (2017) Analysis of the critical success factors that affect the implementation of Local Agenda 21 in Thailand. Journal of International Buddhist Studies, 8(1), 8298.Google Scholar
Lhendup, T. (2008) Rural electrification in Bhutan and a methodology for evaluation of distributed generation system as an alternative option for rural electrification. Energy for Sustainable Development, 12(3), 1324.Google Scholar
Lhendup, T., Lhundup, S. and Wangchuk, T. (2010) Domestic energy consumption patterns in urban Bhutan. Energy for Sustainable Development, 14, 134142.Google Scholar
LIFE Partners (2002) A Guide for Local Agenda 21 in Thailand. Stockholm, LIFE Partners Sweden.Google Scholar
Lustig, R. (Presenter) (22 June 2006) Bhutan’s Policy of Happiness. Assignment (radio programme), 22 minutes (Guest speaker: Jigme Thinley). London, BBC World Service. https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p03ghvrv (accessed 17 December 2018)Google Scholar
McCargo, D. (2004) Buddhism, democracy and identity in Thailand. Democratization, 11(4), 155170.Google Scholar
McCargo, D. (2014) Competing notions of judicialization in Thailand. Contemporary Southeast Asia: A Journal of International and Strategic Affairs, 36(3), 417441.Google Scholar
Milbrath, L. (1989) Envisioning a Sustainable Society: Learning Our Way Out. Albany, NY, SUNY Press.Google Scholar
Namgyal, T. S. (2001) Sustaining conservation finance: Future directions for the Bhutan Trust Fund for Environmental Conservation. The Journal of Bhutan Studies, 3(1), 4882.Google Scholar
National Statistical Office (2018) Population Survey and Housing. Bangkok, Government of Thailand. http://statbbi.nso.go.th/staticreport/page/sector/en/01.aspx (accessed 24 September 2018)Google Scholar
NEC (1997) Biodiversity Action Plan for Bhutan. Thimphu, National Environment Commission, Royal Government of Bhutan.Google Scholar
NEC (1998) National Environment Strategy. Thimphu, National Environment Commission, Royal Government of Bhutan.Google Scholar
NEC (2004) Application for Environmental Clearance: Guidelines for Hydropower. Thimphu, National Environment Commission, Royal Government of Bhutan.Google Scholar
NEC (2005a) Brief State of the Environment. Thimphu, National Environment Commission, Royal Government of Bhutan.Google Scholar
NEC (2005b) A Brief Report on Bhutan’s State of Environment for Fiscal Year 2004–2005. Thimphu, National Environment Commission, Royal Government of Bhutan.Google Scholar
NEC (2016) Bhutan State of Environment 2016. Thimphu, National Environment Commission, Royal Government of Bhutan.Google Scholar
NEC (2017) Bhutan State of Environment at Glance. Thimphu, National Environment Commission, Royal Government of Bhutan.Google Scholar
Norbu, U. P. and Giri, S. (2004) Working with rural communities to conserve wood energy: a case study from Bhutan. In Chamsuk, S., Rijal, K. and Takada, M. (eds.), Energy for Sustainable Development in Asia and the Pacific Region, pp. 2331. New York, United Nations Development Programme.Google Scholar
Ockey, J. (2007) Thailand’s ‘professional soldiers’ and coup-making: the coup of 2006. Crossroads: An Interdisciplinary Journal of Southeast Asian Studies, 19(1), 95127.Google Scholar
OECD (2001) The DAC Guidelines for Sustainable Development. Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development. http://www.oecd.org/dataoecd/34/10/2669958.pdf (accessed 24 September 2018)Google Scholar
OECD (2002) Sustainable Development Strategies: A Resource Book. New York, Earthscan Publications.Google Scholar
Office of the Council of State (Government of Thailand) (1997) Constitution of Thailand. Bangkok.Google Scholar
Office of the National Economic and Social Development Board (2002) The Ninth National Economic and Social Development Plan (2002–2006). Bangkok, Kurusapa Press.Google Scholar
O’Riordan, T. and Voisey, H. (1998) The Transition to Sustainability: The Politics of Agenda 21 in Europe. London, Earthscan.Google Scholar
Pasuk, P. and Baker, C. J. (2002) Thailand, Economy and Politics. Oxford, Oxford University Press.Google Scholar
Pibalsook, K. (2007) An Assessment of the Application of Local Agenda 21 in Thailand for Improving Environmental Policy and Planning. PhD thesis. Sydney, Graduate School of the Environment, Macquarie University.Google Scholar
Pibalsook, K., Taplin, R. and Lyth, A. (2003) Assessing Local Agenda 21 Policy and Planning in Thailand. Ecopolitics XV International Conference: Environmental Governance: Transforming Regions and Localities, 12–14 November, Sydney, Graduate School of the Environment, Macquarie University.Google Scholar
RGB (Royal Government of Bhutan) (1991) Forest Policy of Bhutan. Thimphu, Ministry of Agriculture.Google Scholar
RGB (Royal Government of Bhutan) (1999) Bhutan 2020: A Vision for Peace, Prosperity and Happiness. Thimphu, Planning Commission.Google Scholar
RGB (Royal Government of Bhutan) (2002) Ninth Five-Year Plan 2002–2007. Thimphu, Planning Commission.Google Scholar
RGB (Royal Government of Bhutan) (2006) Results of Population and Housing Census of Bhutan 2005. Thimphu, Office of the Census Commissioner. http://www.nsb.gov.bt/publication/files/pub6ri44cs.pdf (accessed 17 December 2018)Google Scholar
RGB (Royal Government of Bhutan) (2007) National Environmental Protection Act. Thimphu, Government of Bhutan.Google Scholar
RGB (Royal Government of Bhutan) (2013) 11th Five-Year Plan 2013–2018. https://www.gnhc.gov.bt/12rtm/wp-content/uploads/2013/10/Eleventh-Five-Year-Plan-Volume-I-Final.pdf [accessed 24 September 2018]Google Scholar
RGB (Royal Government of Bhutan) (2017a) Forest Facts and Figures, 2017. Thimphu, Department of Forests and Park Services, Ministry of Agriculture and Forests.Google Scholar
RGB (Royal Government of Bhutan) (2017b) National Forestry Inventory, Vol. 1. Thimphu, Department of Forests and Park Services, Ministry of Agriculture and Forests.Google Scholar
RGB (Royal Government of Bhutan) (2017c) Statistical Year Book of Bhutan 2017. Thimphu, National Statistical Bureau.Google Scholar
RGB (Royal Government of Bhutan) (2017d) 12th Five-Year Plan Guideline. https://www.gnhc.gov.bt/en/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/gnh.pdf (accessed 24September 2018)Google Scholar
RGB (Royal Government of Bhutan) (2018) 2017 Population and Housing Census of Bhutan. Thimphu, National Statistical Bureau.Google Scholar
Rigg, J. (2003) Southeast Asia: The Human Landscape of Modernization and Development. London, Routledge.Google Scholar
Sachayansrisakul, N. (2009) Sufficiency Economy: A reasonable approach for Thailand’s future. NIDA Development Journal, 49(2), 122.Google Scholar
Schumacher, E. F. (1973) Small Is Beautiful: A Study of Economics as if People Mattered. London, Abacus (1974 edition).Google Scholar
SELF (Solar Electric Light Fund) (2003) A Solar Energy Project in Bhutan. Washington, DC.Google Scholar
Sopranzetti, C. (2016) Thailand’s relapse: The implications of the May 2014 coup. The Journal of Asian Studies, 75(2), 299316.Google Scholar
Sponsel, L. E. and Natadecha-Sponsel, P. (1993) The potential contribution of Buddhism in developing an environmental ethic for the conservation of biodiversity. In Hamilton, L. S. and Takeuchi, H. F. (eds.), Ethics, Religion, and Biodiversity: Relations Between Conservation and Cultural Values, pp. 7597. Cambridge, White Horse Press.Google Scholar
Suwannathat-Pian, K. (2002) The monarchy and constitutional change since 1972. In McCargo, D. (ed.), Reforming Thai Politics, pp. 5772. Copenhagen, Nordic Institute of Asian Studies.Google Scholar
Sterling, S. (2001) Sustainable Education: Re-Visioning Learning and Change. Foxhole, Devon, UK, Green Books.Google Scholar
Thabchumpon, N. and McCargo, D. (2011) Urbanized villagers in the 2010 Thai Redshirt Protests. Asian Survey, 51(6), 993–1,018.Google Scholar
Tilbury, D. (2004) Action Research for Change Towards Sustainability: Change in Curricula and Graduate Skills Workshop Notes. Sydney, Graduate School of the Environment, Macquarie University.Google Scholar
Tonami, A. and Mori, A. (2007) Sustainable development in Thailand: Lessons from implementing Local Agenda 21 in three cities. Journal of Environment and Development, 16(3), 269289.Google Scholar
Tshering, S. and Tamang, B. (2004) Hydropower – Key to sustainable, socio-economic development of Bhutan. In United Nations Symposium on Hydropower and Sustainable Development, Beijing, UNDESA, 27–29 October. http://www.academia.edu/36260182/Hydropower_-Key_to_sustainable_socio-economic_development_of_Bhutan (accessed 13 January 2019)Google Scholar
Uddin, S . N. (2001) Renewable energy in South Asia. Asian Energy News, Special Issue. Bangkok, Asian Institute of Technology.Google Scholar
Uddin, S. N, Taplin, R. and Yu, X. (2007) Energy, environment and development in Bhutan. Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, 11(9), 20832103.Google Scholar
UNEP (United Nations Environment Programme) (2001) State of the Environment Bhutan 2001. UNEP Regional and Resource Centre for Asia and the Pacific, Bangkok. http://www.sacep.org/pdf/Reports-Technical/2001-State-of-Environment-Report-Bhutan.pdf (accessed 24 September 2018)Google Scholar
Ura, K. and Galay, K. (2004) Preface. In Ura, K. and Galay, K. (eds.), Gross National Happiness and Development: Proceedings of the First International Conference on Operationalization of Gross National Happiness. Thimphu, Centre for Bhutan Studies. http://www.grossnationalhappiness.com/gnh-and-development/ (accessed 24 September 2018)Google Scholar
Vichitranuja, N., Stotlar, D., Samahito, S., Noikasem, S. and Nitiphon, N. (2018) State-owned golf course management model: Case study of Suanson Pradipat applying Sufficiency Economy Philosophy towards sustainable development. National Defence Studies Institute Journal, 9(3). https://www.tci-thaijo.org/index.php/ndsijournal/indexGoogle Scholar
WB (World Bank) (2017) Bhutan at a Glance. Washington, DC, 12 October. http://www.worldbank.org/en/country/bhutan/overview (accessed 24 September 2018)Google Scholar
WCED (World Commission on Environment and Development) (1987) Our Common Future. Oxford, Oxford University Press.Google Scholar
Young, J. (1992) Post Environmentalism. London, Belhaven.Google Scholar

Save book to Kindle

To save this book to your Kindle, first ensure [email protected] is added to your Approved Personal Document E-mail List under your Personal Document Settings on the Manage Your Content and Devices page of your Amazon account. Then enter the ‘name’ part of your Kindle email address below. Find out more about saving to your Kindle.

Note you can select to save to either the @free.kindle.com or @kindle.com variations. ‘@free.kindle.com’ emails are free but can only be saved to your device when it is connected to wi-fi. ‘@kindle.com’ emails can be delivered even when you are not connected to wi-fi, but note that service fees apply.

Find out more about the Kindle Personal Document Service.

Available formats
×

Save book to Dropbox

To save content items to your account, please confirm that you agree to abide by our usage policies. If this is the first time you use this feature, you will be asked to authorise Cambridge Core to connect with your account. Find out more about saving content to Dropbox.

Available formats
×

Save book to Google Drive

To save content items to your account, please confirm that you agree to abide by our usage policies. If this is the first time you use this feature, you will be asked to authorise Cambridge Core to connect with your account. Find out more about saving content to Google Drive.

Available formats
×