Recently, Mr. Piromsakdi Laparojkit, Senior Advisor in Policy and Planning, Office of the NESDB welcomed and provided a briefing of the NESDB functions to the Indian Defence College Students Delegation. Mr. Piromsakdi stated that the NESDB is the essential central planning agency which undertakes a continuing study of the Kingdom's economy, and draws up plans for its development. Since its inception, the NESDB has already completed 7 development Plans and now is in the period of the 8th Plan (1997-2001) implementation.
Furthermore, the NESDB has some other responsibilities as follows : analyzing and studying economic situation for formulation of the Economic and Social Development Plan and appraising and coordinating the economic development projects of government agencies and state enterprises, as well as setting the overall economic development policy according to the existing national resources and priorities and recommending suitable economic development strategies and measure to Prime Minister and the Cabinet.
The Senior Advisor in Policy and Planning added that economic and soical development concept in the past had largely been based on the acceleration of economic growth. The development paradigm was in segmented approach. Although the development was successful in continuing high growth rate, several problems existed; namely, income distribution, depletion of natural resources and deteriorating environmental conditions, as well as life and property insecurity. Accordingly, it has become generally accepted that a process of development which disregards natural resources, human values and local customs and lore would not lead to sustainable development.
In the past, Thailand's economic prosperity, however, was created on expense of natural endowment and excess labor supply. Through the years, rapid depletion of both resources took place, and Thailand is now facing the problems of degradation the natural resources and the environment, together with insufficient labor supply in certain fields, such as science and technology. These were major threats for sustainable development. In the past development process, only some of the public and private sectors took part in formulating the Plan. The Plan cannot be considered by the people nationwide to promote opportunity and justice.
Mr. Piromsakdi Laparojkit further said that as in the Eighth Plan we open freely the opportunity for every segment of the society to participate and express their opinions at will in determining development directions at large; namely, the private sector, NGOs, academecians, press, politicians, religious institution and the people.
We completely realize that the challenging path of development for survival of economic and stable systems of the society in the future lies on the human development. We have adjusted our development concepts from previously stressing mainly on economic development to now stressing on "people" as the centre for development, in so doing we believe that "people" as the centre of development is a sole achievement in every aspect. This is the new dimansion of development since the past process of planning had never been participated by several sector in society.
On this occasion the Indian delegation were interested in Thailand's economic and social development by pointing out that the Thailand-India development cooperation has started since India opened up the country for free market economy in 1991. In this regard, foreign investment have been focused on relaxation of rules and regulation. The result of economic reform in India have promoted Trade volume between India and Thailand to be increased to $US 1000 million in 1991.
Mr. Piromsakdi Laparojkit finally stated that presently, Thailand's policy of "Look West" is aimed at promoting trade and investment in the subcontinental to link Southeast Asia and South Asia countries. Recently, India signed Bangkok memorandom to establish Bangladesh-India-Sri Lanka (BIST-EC) which to help promoting the "Look West" Policy regarding India-Thailand cooperation development in the future.
--Development News Bulletin, National Economic and Social Development Board, Volume 12, No.9: September 1997--
Furthermore, the NESDB has some other responsibilities as follows : analyzing and studying economic situation for formulation of the Economic and Social Development Plan and appraising and coordinating the economic development projects of government agencies and state enterprises, as well as setting the overall economic development policy according to the existing national resources and priorities and recommending suitable economic development strategies and measure to Prime Minister and the Cabinet.
The Senior Advisor in Policy and Planning added that economic and soical development concept in the past had largely been based on the acceleration of economic growth. The development paradigm was in segmented approach. Although the development was successful in continuing high growth rate, several problems existed; namely, income distribution, depletion of natural resources and deteriorating environmental conditions, as well as life and property insecurity. Accordingly, it has become generally accepted that a process of development which disregards natural resources, human values and local customs and lore would not lead to sustainable development.
In the past, Thailand's economic prosperity, however, was created on expense of natural endowment and excess labor supply. Through the years, rapid depletion of both resources took place, and Thailand is now facing the problems of degradation the natural resources and the environment, together with insufficient labor supply in certain fields, such as science and technology. These were major threats for sustainable development. In the past development process, only some of the public and private sectors took part in formulating the Plan. The Plan cannot be considered by the people nationwide to promote opportunity and justice.
Mr. Piromsakdi Laparojkit further said that as in the Eighth Plan we open freely the opportunity for every segment of the society to participate and express their opinions at will in determining development directions at large; namely, the private sector, NGOs, academecians, press, politicians, religious institution and the people.
We completely realize that the challenging path of development for survival of economic and stable systems of the society in the future lies on the human development. We have adjusted our development concepts from previously stressing mainly on economic development to now stressing on "people" as the centre for development, in so doing we believe that "people" as the centre of development is a sole achievement in every aspect. This is the new dimansion of development since the past process of planning had never been participated by several sector in society.
On this occasion the Indian delegation were interested in Thailand's economic and social development by pointing out that the Thailand-India development cooperation has started since India opened up the country for free market economy in 1991. In this regard, foreign investment have been focused on relaxation of rules and regulation. The result of economic reform in India have promoted Trade volume between India and Thailand to be increased to $US 1000 million in 1991.
Mr. Piromsakdi Laparojkit finally stated that presently, Thailand's policy of "Look West" is aimed at promoting trade and investment in the subcontinental to link Southeast Asia and South Asia countries. Recently, India signed Bangkok memorandom to establish Bangladesh-India-Sri Lanka (BIST-EC) which to help promoting the "Look West" Policy regarding India-Thailand cooperation development in the future.
--Development News Bulletin, National Economic and Social Development Board, Volume 12, No.9: September 1997--