Statement by General Prayut Chan-o-cha (Ret.), Prime Minister of Thailand
Interactive Dialogue: “Ending poverty and hunger”
at Trusteeship Council, the United Nations Headquarters, New York
25 September 2015
 

Excellencies the Co-Chairs,
Excellencies Heads of State and Heads of Government,
Distinguished Delegates,

1. I am pleased that the new global development agenda focuses on solving the pressing issues of our planet in a balanced and sustainable manner, whereby we focus not only on eradicating poverty, but also on reducing inequalities. These are major challenges for sustainable development. And all countries, large and small, must rise to the occasion to carry on the unfinished business of the MDGs in the next 15 years.

2. Even though the number of Thai people living in poverty has dropped continuously from 42 percent in the year 2000 to 10.5 percent in 2014, inequalities persist. This is due to imbalances in our economic structure and the concentrated ownership of land and natural resources by the few.

3. The Royal Thai Government attaches importance to creating equal opportunities and access to natural resources because we do not wish to leave anyone behind. We cannot allow the abuse of power for political gains at the expense of the majority, which led in the past to social discord and exploitation, injustice and corruption, still causing divisions in society.

4. Therefore, the first priorities of my administration were to return happiness and harmony to Thai society; to reduce inequality; to render justice; to forge social cohesiveness; and to redress pressing economic and social problems. We are now moving forward on laying a solid foundation to sustain our economic progress, through comprehensive reforms and the drafting of a new constitution that truly meets the people’s needs and demands. In this process, we encourage all sectors of society to participate fully and freely, in keeping with our 5-year national strategy to promote “stability, prosperity and sustainability”.

5. The government must be responsible for putting in place the proper frameworks as well as setting down fair rules for all to play by, so that everyone can enjoy equal opportunities and have equal access to education, health care, social welfare and legal protection.

6. Thailand’s development approach is inspired by His Majesty the King’s Sufficiency Economy Philosophy, which has for decades successfully led our country on the path to all-inclusive and sustainable development. This philosophy espouses moderation, reasonableness and resilience against uncertainties as well as internal and external shocks, while seeking to strengthen the moral fabric of the people so that they are honest, wise, tolerant, conscientious and prudent.

7. Reducing poverty and inequalities, according to the Sufficiency Economy Philosophy, means promoting people-centered development. The philosophy teaches people to rely on themselves and to take pride in their work. The teaching cautions against over-consumption and the relentless pursuit of materialism without social accountability. It seeks to instill a sense of balance between production and consumption, between promoting one’s self-interests and altruism.  Essentially, it is a call for human beings to live modestly and in harmony with nature.

8. The core objective of sustainable development is to ensure that there is balance and moderation in the economic, social and environmental spheres. Thailand’s gradual ascension over the past 50 years to middle-income country status owes a great deal to the Sufficiency Economy Philosophy. In this connection, the government continues to adhere to the philosophy by pursuing the following policies: (1) promoting sustainable agriculture and organic farming while reducing the use of chemical fertilizers; (2) strengthening markets at the community level, minimizing profiteering by middle men and creating networks for local businesses; (3) promoting SMEs and connecting them with larger companies in order to go regional and global; and (4) putting in place mechanisms to manage water, land and forest resources in an integrated manner without compromising social and environmental harmony.

Excellencies the Co-Chairs,

9. In Thailand’s view, robust economic growth must begin with strengthening the community. This is in keeping with Their Majesties the King and Queen’s Royal Initiatives. In this respect, the Government has all along (1) supported local entrepreneurship through the One District, One Product scheme; (2) provided loans to low-income earners through village and local funds and micro-financing schemes; and (3) set up learning centers in villages to teach farmers to be self-reliant and help them to increase agricultural productivity.

10. Furthermore, our good labour practice has been responsible for job creation, which has helped to generate income for the poor.  Thanks to the creation of Smart Job Centers across the country, Thailand now enjoys an employment rate as high as 98.7 percent. But we still need to invest for the future, especially in infrastructure development. We also need to spread growth to remote rural areas, through the creation of special economic zones.

11. I firmly believe that, in reducing inequalities and closing development gaps, each and every one of us needs to lend a hand, beginning with empowering local communities, promoting greater intra-regional connectivity and assisting neighbouring countries and the region – which will help them to eradicate poverty all the more effectively.

Excellencies the Co-Chairs,

12. Sustainable development can only be achieved when all peoples and all countries move forward together; when no one and no country is left behind; when poverty, hunger and inequality are completely eliminated; when opportunities and decent work are guaranteed and evenly distributed; and when a sense of moderation in consumption and production is firmly instilled in all of us, so that we preserve the planet’s limited resources for our children and succeeding generations. Let us make these goals a reality. 

13. Thank you.

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