Open Development Thailand | Sharing information about Thailand and its development with the world.

Data Literacy Training

Thailand’s civil society representatives completed East-West Management Institute’s (EWMI) data literacy training program from February to June 2020. This training in Thailand was tailored for participants from the forestry sector to advocate for improved forest governance. They included representatives from Baan Non Toom Thaworn Community Forest, Self-organized Land Reform Network, Citizen Forest Network, Chiang Mai Community Organisation Council, Raks Thai Foundation, RECOFTC Thailand, and Western Community Radio Network.

All participants were sponsored by the Voices for Mekong Forests (V4MF) project, a five-year initiative funded by the EU. Read the full story.

Participants were very supportive of each other during the training. (This photo was taken during the first phase in February 2020.)

Pandemics / COVID-19

Thailand was the first country outside of China to have confirmed a patient with the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) infection on 13 January 2020. On March 1, 2020, Thailand’s Ministry of Public Health (MoPH) designated COVID-19 as a dangerous communicable disease under the Communicable Diseases Act B.E. 2558 (2015). An emergency in all areas of the Kingdom of Thailand was declared by the Thai Prime Minister on March 20, 2020, pursuant to the Emergency Decree on Public Administration in emergency situations. The emergency period was originally to last until April 30, 2020, until further announcement of relax measures.

New normal in Thai society with services of food delivery by ILO/Alin Siirisaksopit | Source: Flickr | CC-BY-NC-ND 3.0 IGO.

New normal 'staying and dining' at home, with service of food delivery by ILO/Alin Siirisaksopit from Flickr under CC-BY-NC-ND 3.0 IGO.

Forest Policy and Admistration

Thailand’s forests are governed under a system of laws and policies that has evolved over the past few decades to place a greater emphasis on conservation and sustainable management. Though challenges of implementation, participation, and community usage rights persist, governance can be considered a positive factor in Thai forest health.

Community Forest in Tha Sae, Chumphon Province | Source: Thai Rath | CC-BY-NC-SA 3.0.

Forests and Forestry

In 2018, forest products accounted for roughly 118 billion Thai Baht (3.9 billion USD) in exports—or about 1.2% of all exported goods and services. That figure does not include either the value of domestic consumption of forest products or the ecosystem services forests provide.

Forest covers in the Mekong region 2000-2015

Sustainable Development Goals

Thailand has its own development framework that is being used to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals, the Sufficiency Economy Philosophy (SEP), this along with the first Voluntary National Review are discussed further in this analysis.

Photo by | Peter Hershey | Unsplash

https://thailand.opendevelopmentmekong.net/topics/sustainable-development-goals/

Thai Civil Society's Efforts to Achieve SDGs

This interactive presentation offers some insights into the current engagement of Civil Society in the National review process for reporting on progress towards achieving the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDG). Use the navigation tools (located on the bottom right) to scroll left and right through the presentation and expand to full screen if you wish. To read more on the localisation context and implementation of SDGs in Thailand visit the Sustainable Development Goals page.

Environment and Natural Resources

Thailand is a country rich in natural resources, which have played a significant role in supporting local livelihoods and driving economic growth. However, Thailand must over come continued environmental degradation, including the loss of biodiversity, deforestation, climate change, and air and water pollution, in order for it to achieve sustainable development outcomes. It is essential to understand the trade-offs between economic growth and environmental values.

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Agencies told to find ways to mitigate Laos dam impact

3 August 2020

Deputy Prime Minister Prawit Wongsuwon urged authorities concerned to discuss and find ways to mitigate the possible environmental impact from the Sanakham Dam project in Laos in the upcoming scheduled public hearings.“[The committee] is concerned about the impact of the dam, as it is located ...

 Bangkok Post Reporter

CAAT lifts entry ban on select foreigners

3 August 2020

The Civil Aviation Authority of Thailand (CAAT) has lifted an entry ban on four groups of foreign nationals, in line with the Centre for Covid-19 Situation Administration’s (CCSA) easing of Covid-19 travel restrictions.CAAT director Chula Sukmanop said the agency’s easing of travel restrictions for non-Thai ...

 Mongkol Bangprapa

'Missing water' in dams spark fears of a drought next year

3 August 2020

The government is facing a challenge of adding more water in 38 major dams across the country during the one-and-half month golden period of rainfall after realising that less water has flowed into the dams than expected.State agencies, including the military, are looking into the ...

 Apinya Wipatayotin

Government expedites effort to address agricultural problems [Video]

3 August 2020

The government is expediting efforts to address farmers’ debt problems and support their work through mechanisms of the people’s councils from the four regions of Thailand in a timely and concrete manner.Keep watching ...

Minister denies Thailand ‘importing’ plastic waste

3 August 2020

Industry Minister Suriya Juangroongruangkit on Monday (August 3) dismissed rumours that the Department of Industrial Works had agreed to import 650,000 tonnes of plastic scrap.The minister said the rumour was untrue because since 2018, the department had not issued a licence for the import of ...

 The Nation Reporter

Thailand's domestic travel: A way out for our economy [Video]

2 August 2020

We have a special report for you today in which we examine the “We Travel Together” program. This initiative provides discounts and stipends to people interested in domestic travel and is expected to revive the tourism scene in Thailand as well as jump start the ...

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Virtual Symposium | International SDG Research Symposium GLOBALGOALS2020

4 June 2020

Inviting researchers and interested people to join the online conference. International Conference on Research on Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) – INTERNATIONAL SDG RESEARCH SYMPOSIUM – GLOBALGOALS2020Date : 9-11 June 2020Organized by Copernicus Institute of Sustainable Development, Utrecht University, Netherlands.Register herehttps://globalgoalsproject.eu/globalgoals2020/registration/ Note: Can still register. Although the ...

Southeast Asia Media Research Opportunity

27 May 2020

Climate Tracker is currently looking for participants with media experience from Southeast Asia Countries for our exciting new Media Research opportunity! Selected participants will work alongside the Climate Tracker team and receive a generous allowance throughout the programme. You’ll also get the chance to engage ...

Live Streaming | Data Governance Framework Awareness

25 May 2020

The Digital Government Development Agency (DGA) will provide a live broadcast on the topic of “Creating an understanding of Data Governance Framework Awareness” in online (Live Streaming). Including Facebook and YouTube to raise awareness and prepare civil servants. And personnel of government agencies And to ...

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Open Development Thailand publishes a new topic page on "COVID-19 in Thailand"

21 May 2020

Open Development Thailand (ODT) recently published a new topic page on “COVID-19 in Thailand,” which shows the impacts from and measures of the COVID-19 pandemic in Thailand. Like other countries, the COVID-19 has economic, social and environmental impacts. You will learn the key measures implemented ...

Open Development Thailand publishes a new topic page on Forest Policy and Administration

24 April 2020

Open Development Thailand (ODT) recently published a new topic page on “Forest Policy and Administration,” which informs relevant policies and laws of the forestry sector in Thailand. You will gain insights on regulatory development to balance and sustain the forest health conditions and support communities ...

Open Development Thailand publishes a new topic page on Forests and Forestry

20 December 2019

Open Development Thailand (ODT) recently published a new topic page on “Forests and Forestry,” which overviews changes of forest cover, deforestation drivers, communities’ role, and increasing governance through FLEGT/REDD+ implementation in Thailand. You will gain insights on total forest loss and key drivers of deforestation. Access ...

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