The sufficiency economy philosophy as an approach to social innovation: case studies of local governments in Thailand

Abstract

The late Thai King Bhumibol Adulyadej formulated the Sufficiency Economy Philosophy (SEP). “Sufficiency” means balancing reasonable moderation in production against the need for protection from sudden internal and external shocks. SEP follows the middle path as a guiding principle for all classes of society and government. Knowledge, thoughtfulness, prudence, and ethical integrity are essential to achieve the middle path. This paper explores the use of SEP as a method of social innovation for enhancing delivery of public services and for localizing the process of sustainable development. Such innovative use of SEP is illustrated by three exploratory case studies of local administrative organisations (LAOs) in Thailand.

All three LAOs' case studies have mayors with significant entrepreneurial talent useful in teaching entrepreneurial action to their residents, their staff, and other local leaders. Together, these cases show the potential of SEP as a method of bottom up social action and sustainable development. A brief discussion of the wider need for and use of innovation, including social innovations, and underpinning entrepreneurship, is included prior to the Thai case studies. There is also a short section examining similar types of activities to those observed in the cases in the European context by way of comparison.

Keywords:

• Sufficiency economy philosophy
• innovation
• social innovation
• entrepreneurship
• sustainability
• local administrative organizations
• Thailand

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Additional information

Funding

This publication is based on researches that have received funding from Thai Government under grant agreement number RDG6240001, RDG6240019 and National Research Council of Thailand and Thailand Science Research and Innovation.MHESI(K)(KSS)172/2564.

Notes on contributors

Wanna Prayukvong

Wanna Prayukvong is a Professor and a Head of master of liberal art program in innovation of local development at Mahidol University, Nakhonsawan campus where she has been since 2016. In 2017 she was a Visiting Professor at Babson College, Boston, USA. She received a B. Eng from Kasetsart University in 1984, and M. Econ from Thammasart University in 1997. She received her Ph.D. in Integral Development from Ubon Ratchathani University. Her research interests span both sustainability, innovation and Buddhist Economics. Much of her work has been improving the understanding the purpose of human being, organization and society.

Apichai Puntasen

Apichai Puntasen, a professor of Buddhist economics, writes on both Buddhist economics and on on Sufficiency Economy Philosophy in the public sphere. Among his recent books are Leadership in social innovation context in Thai version (Rangsit University 2023) and Sufficiency economy: Genius and kindness of His Majesty King Rama IX Sufficiency economy: Genius and kindness of His Majesty King Rama IX (Rangsit University 2017).

M. John Foster

M. John Foster, is an Emeritus Fellow of Kingston Business School, Kingston University, London. He has written widely on topics in strategic management, E/SE Asian business and decision making. Recent papers include: ‘A fresh view of China's OFDI, its motivations and risks thereto' (2023); and ‘Does CSR activity amount to socially responsible management?’ (2021).

Kittikhun Moopauak

Kittikhun Moopauak, a professor of Parasitology, writes on Medical Parasitology, on Entomology and on Sufficiency Economy Philosophy. Among his recent papers are The application of sufficiency economy philosophy (SEP) in local government: Lower Northern and Upper Central Area (2022) and Variation in time of coloniation of broiler carcasses by carrion flies in Nakhonsawan province, Thailand (2017).