How Thailand Views Sustainable Living

King Bhumibol Ajulyadej, the late great leader of Thailand was among the best kings who have introduced ideals to the Thais during his reign that we still benefit from – one of which is the Philosophy of Sufficiency Economy which can be considered the basis of Thailand’s stand on sustainability.

In the early years of his rule, this great king took notice of the farmers’ plight in the rural areas of his country. He later developed projects that aim to improve the local conditions of farmers. As years passed, the philosophy he followed became more defined. The base principle was that his people should have the means to be self-sufficient.

In this post, Riverhouse Phuket gives you a glimpse of what sustainable really means for Thais:

Back to Basics

In the midst of globalization, Thais were urged by their king to go back to their roots – definite their basic needs and work on ensuring that they have enough for those basic requirements.

The Philosophy of Sufficiency Economy

This philosophy serves as a guide towards what’s called the “middle road” – one where families, regions, and the entire nation make informed decisions based on positive results. The goal is for the country to be able to withstand any trial, no matter how much the world changes. Their people and the organizations that govern them should always consider the effect of their actions on others and their environment. The result is that their people only consume what they need and maintain a lifestyle that is neither too lavish nor deprived.

The Philosophy of Sufficiency Economy Today

Over 23,000 villages around the country have ongoing projects related to the Philosophy of Sufficiency Economy. The aspects of which include the production of only what’s needed so as to preserve resources and at the same time reduce the impact on the environment. The individual needs are prioritized over large-scale production.

Many people see the philosophy as an excellent tool that can help the country grow sustainably while still being a part of the global community. The goal is to know whether poverty and social inequalities can be lessened by this approach.

That said, there are still people who fail to understand what the philosophy is for or how it should be implemented. Many suggest that it has only grown in popularity because the proponent was the beloved king.

Some question whether this actually isn’t a means to justify the inequalities in Thailand’s societies as the wealthy are allowed to use their resources as long as it’s within their means while the poor are expected to be satisfied with what they have and not strive for more. This is because the philosophy allows those from affluent families to consume resources, on the condition that they do not go into debt while poorer Thais should not resort to borrowing money to consume resources.

Conclusion

Whether or not Thailand’s Philosophy of Sufficiency Economy will deliver positive outcomes long-term is yet to be seen. Anyway, that still greatly depends on how their future government would choose to spend their funds on and how they’ll manage the projects that are currently in place. In the meantime, those who are curious about this philosophy could have first-hand experience by choosing to live in eco-friendly villas in Phuket and adopting a sustainable lifestyle.

For people who are interested in experiencing this approach to sustainable living, Riverhouse Phuket is here to provide you with loft style living that is focused on the use of renewable energy.