A Call to Action: Thailand and the Sustainable Development Goals was officially launched at the Siam Kempinski Hotel in Bangkok on 17 January (12:15-15:30). The launch featured a keynote speech by Dr. Chirayu Isarangkun Na Ayuthaya, Chairman of TSDF, and a panel discussion with experts. The book is available in Thailand at Asia Books and Kinokuniya, as well as at leading bookstores worldwide and on Amazon.com at the recommended retail price of US$35 (THB1,250). EDM has published numerous highly regarded books on Thailand including Thailand's Sustainable Development Sourcebook and King Bhumibol Aduyadej: A Life's Work.
SYNOPSIS
The first book of its kind, this timely and highly relevant volume takes an in depth look at how Thailand is positioned to achieve the ambitious 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development launched by the United Nations in 2015. The agenda's 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), which the UN describes as "a call for action to change our world," resonate strongly in Thailand, where despite vast progress and economic development over recent decades many significant challenges still remain. The book also discusses the importance of the late King Bhumibol Adulyadej's Sufficiency Economy Philosophy in Thailand's development strategy and His Majesty's decades of development work. The book is divided into 17 chapters – one for each of the UN's Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) – that examine Thailand's strategies, progress and areas for improvement on issues such as climate change, public health, poverty reduction, sustainable industry, clean energy production and ecosystem management. Highlighting both success stories and cautionary tales, the editors seek to draw readers a comprehensive picture of Thailand's progress on achieving the SDG targets. At the same time, there is a sense of urgency within the book's pages which show that Thailand must take more concerted action to ensure that it does not risk losing some of the positive gains it has made over the years. A Call to Action: Thailand and the Sustainable Development Goals serves as a valuable resource for those who want to know more about how the kingdom is striving to achieve balanced development and improve management of its terrestrial, marine and human resources. With key insights from leading sustainable development experts and the latest statistics and information on Thailand, this book is essential reading for policy experts and Thailand watchers.
EDITOR AND ADVISOR BIOGRAPHIES
Dr. Priyanut Dharmapiya directs the Sufficiency School Center of the Foundation of Virtuous Youth and is a member of the TSDF board. She is an expert on Sufficiency Economy with various publications in both Thai and English. During the past ten years, she has worked extensively to integrate Sufficiency Economy Philosophy into the Thai educational system. Nicholas Grossman has produced more than 10 books on Thailand for EDM, including Chronicle of Thailand, Thailand's Sustainable Development Sourcebook, A History of the Thai-Chinese, and King Bhumibol Aduyadej: A Life's Work. Will Baxter is a journalist who has been based in Southeast Asia since 2003. His work focuses primarily on social issues, conflict, human rights and development-related topics. He freelances for Al Jazeera, Der Spiegel, Internazionale and others. Nina Wegner is a journalist who writes about indigenous issues and corporate responsibility in developing countries. Her work has been published by Al Jazeera, The Atlantic and The Huffington Post, among others.
QUOTES IN THE BOOK LAUNCH
Dr. Chirayu Isarangkun Na Ayuthaya, Chairman of Thailand Sustainable Development Foundation (TSDF):
TSDF Chairman Dr. Chirayu Isarangkun Na Ayuthaya said at the launch of A Call to Action: Thailand and the Sustainable Development Goals: "You may wonder whether or not royally-initiated sustainable development and the Sufficiency Economy Philosophy, bestowed by the late King Bhumibol, will endure in Thai society. Let me convey to you part of King Rama X's recent speech on New Year's Eve, the 31st of December 2016: Start Quote 'In this New Year, I wish all the Thai people determination and strength in conducting their duties along the path that was paved for us by His Majesty the late King. So that they will be successful in whatever they do, and contribute to their own prosperity as well as the country's. This is how we will honor His Majesty King Rama IX's graciousness. And, I myself [His Majesty King Rama X], shall also act, along with all Thais, in my full capacity to carry on His Majesty King Rama IX's aspiration.' …end quote."
Dr. Priyanut Dharmapiya, TSDF Board Committee Member:
"Thailand is demonstrating to the world that the utilization of SEP principles can help lead to progress on achieving the United Nations' 17 Sustainable Development Goals. Now we have this book, A Call to Action: Thailand and the Sustainable Development Goals, which present practical examples of how to adapt Sufficiency principles to achieve development on different levels. Also included are examples of projects initiated by King Bhumibol as well as other development initiatives carried out in line with His Majesty's vision, which has paved the way for the country's development to date and will eventually help lead us to achieve the SDGs."
"There were serious structural issues leading up to the financial crises of the last two decades which could, if unaddressed, resurface with equally adverse effects at any time. In Thailand we need to consider giving more thought to choosing the right, or more balanced development path, to suit our capacity, social context and competitive advantages, based on the principle of moderation, or the 'middle path'. So while, of course, it is important for us to encourage economic growth, such aspirations should not come at the expense of shattering our social fabric, degrading our natural environment, water and agricultural resources, and our cultural integrity."
"To make balanced development sustainable, we have to cultivate the sustainable mindset, in this case, the sufficiency mindset, in the young generation. Thailand has integrated SEP principles in our educational sector in a systemic way to do just that. Some of Thailand's most significant successes in accomplishing the SDG targets include the certification of more than 21,000 schools in Thailand as 'sufficiency-based schools' and 121 schools as Sufficiency Education Learning Centers. These sufficiency-based educational institutions serve as uniquely Thai models of sustainable schools here in the kingdom."
Mr. Sek Wannamethee, Director-General, Department of Information and Spokesperson of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs:
In 2016, Thailand assumed the chairmanship of the Group of 77. Our aim was to promote international cooperation and foster global partnerships and to transform the vision of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development into action and reality. Throughout the tenure, we set out to share our Sufficiency Economy Philosophy through a series of activities aimed at the creation of 'SEP for SDG Partnership' the alliance among members of the Group on the application of SEP for the attainment of SDGs which has proven to be a great success. In other fora, we have volunteered to drive working groups on SDGs and we have expressed our readiness in conducting the second round of voluntary national reviews at the 2017 High-level Political Forum on Sustainable Development (HLPF) which is to be convened under the auspices of the Economic and Social Council in July this year. These reaffirm Thailand's commitment to the achievement of SDGs.
"A Call to Action: Thailand and the Sustainable Development Goals" provides insightful information including special articles from Sustainable Development experts, concrete statistics and practical information. These together with an easy-to-read format linking the application of SEP in Thailand with each Sustainable Development Goal render the book unique and special. In recognition of the immense value of the book as the first SDGs self-assessment book with examples drawn from Thailand's experience, we are pleased to support extensive promotion of this book to further support the application of SEP in pursuance of Sustainable Development Goals.
Mr. Nicholas Grossman, Managing Editor, EDM Books Thailand:
"As Thailand and the world are in a period of transition, this book looks at how the country is positioned for the future on many urgent sustainability issues and topics like climate change, alternative energy and food security. Our goal was to provide accurate and useful information to anyone who has a stake in Thailand's future."
"Whether Thailand can further improve its performance in the area of sustainability and sustainable development remains to be seen. Certainly there are policies, plans and promises as well as sincere action, but like with all countries there are also major trends and forces pulling Thailand in different directions. This book attempts to present both some of the successful applications and the challenges."
"In part because of the Sufficiency Economy Philosophy, few countries have produced as much literature on the topic of sustainability and the SDGs as Thailand. The question here is not interest but implementation."