Sufficiency Economy in Thailand

Last year—shortly before the September coup, in fact—I was asked to help explain the King's concept of "Sufficiency Economy" to English-speaking, non-Thai audiences—adding my English text to a Thai overview. We later used the bilingual version to brainstorm ways in which Sufficiency Economy might be used to improve outcomes for grassroots programs.

 

I discovered today that my article, "Sufficiency Economy: Implications and Applications," has been posted on the official Thai government website, and also that it was printed as a booklet distributed to leaders in every district in the nation.

 

While certainly complementary to the Thailand's Buddhist heritage, Sufficiency Economy espouses a secular philosophy. It does not reject either economic theory or economic progress. Neither does it denounce globalization, as some have tried to interpret. Instead, the king's philosophy speaks to the happiness that can result from a middle-path lifestyle governed by moderation, prudence and resilience.

Since the coup of course, enthusiasm for the idea has become a fad among public and private organizations more eager to demonstrate loyalty than to demonstrate genuine reflection about implications and applications of the concept. This is too bad, because taken at face value—as common sense—Sufficiency Economy is an idea that should be reflected on by rich and poor alike.