Thailand

(Credit: British Council) SUMMARY In February 2019, Thailand passed the Social Enterprise Promotion Act. The Act outlines several key components and enabling measures that will be launched to accelerate the growth of its social enterprise sector. With this legislation, Thailand joins other countries from the region like Malaysia and Singapore who have introduced policies, tax […]

The paper documents the development and achievements of the Social Investment Fund in Thailand. The Fund was launched in 1998 in response to the Asian Financial Crisis.

By David Ganz

3 min read

In June, a forest community in northern Thailand was awarded the prestigious Equator Prize by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP). With some support from RECOFTC and our partners, the Wetland Forest Conservation Group of the village Boon Rueang convinced the government to conserve the largest wetland forest in the Ing River basin rather than develop a special economic zone. Since that momentous achievement, made through advocacy and dialogue, the Group has pioneered a community forestry model that is successfully protecting biodiversity, storing carbon, providing food and livelihoods, and enabling the community to preserve its identity and culture. This model even helped the community successfully weather the COVID-19 pandemic.

By Prachi Seth

5 min read

Over 8 billion kilograms of plastic enter the world’s oceans every year. Marine plastic pollution has become one of the most pressing environmental concerns facing the world today. Asia, in particular, has been detrimental to the oceans, with 5 countries – China, Indonesia, the Philippines, Thailand and Vietnam – generating ~60% of this marine plastic waste leakage.