13 Traditionally, Thai society
had its foundation and development in strong adherence to
religion, culture and agriculture. Its simple and peaceful
way of life and indigenous wisdom is gradually replaced by
the modern concept of social development imposed from elsewhere.
This development concept is based on the theoretical framework
and data of economics as indicators. Religion
and culture cannot stand against this economic current. Industry
and trade replace agriculture. The Thai traditional way of
life and wisdom is threatened by different forces and concealed
through the discourse of universality.
14 The implementation of the
lst to 7th national economic and social development plans
provides a lesson for Thai society. It has learned that the
adoption of such definition of development is damaging the
quality of life of human beings and society and degrading
the environment. This pattern of development creates confusion,
difficulties and sufferings that Thai society inevitably
has to undergo. This became evident when it has seriously
been hit by the economic crisis in the past decade. The strong
current of globalisation at the macro level pushes all elements
in Thai society to review their roles, while all have to
be alert and cope with the global change, which is set in
motion at a rapid and alarming pace.
15 In
the face of this situation, Thai society has started to formulate
the 8th and 9th national
economic and social development plans with a new direction
and approach. The plans put greater emphasis on process and
mechanisms that place individual human beings and the whole
society, regardless of race, creed or status, at the center
of this development. The plans aim at fostering greater equality
and fair distribution of resources as well as creating reciprocal
and sustainable subsistence economy, rather than discrimination
and exploitation.
16 This change is concomitant
with political and bureaucratic reforms. In addition, the
new constitution of the country promotes good governance
by supporting a balance of power and auditing at all levels
of society. It fosters change of conceptual understanding
and a bureaucratic system that recognizes the role of participation
and auditing by popular sector, change of legislative, administrative
and juridical structure to prevent political misconduct.
17 Being
aware of environmental problems—disintegration of the family
institution, greater
value given to men over women, problems of women and children,
prostitution, poverty, widening gap between the urban and
rural sector, labor problems spread of AIDS, drug addiction,
gambling, lack of proper understanding of religion and ethnicity,
cultural crisis, and violence—certain individuals and groups
in Thai society are working together to address these problems
at their root causes. This common effort apparently leads
to greater publicity and exposure of information, ideas,
direction of solution and extension of challenge in society.
18 We
can still find that the belief in sacred beings or the Absolute,
respect for ancestral
spirits and senior people, self-appreciation and hospitality
are still inherent in most Thai people who value virtues
and righteousness as the way to the Absolute they worship.
They are also ready to renew indigenous wisdom and revive
a balance among human beings, society and nature. Nonetheless,
the long standing and deeply rooted negative effect, coupled
with religious and cultural reluctance to change, enforced
by the current of materialism and consumerism, as well as
by diverse dehumanizing definitions given in the age of globalisation,
are the threatening forces that challenge the effort of new
creativity and initiatives of economic, political, social
and environmental, religious, and cultural movements. Though
these movements have already emerged in Thai society, they
are still at the stage of initial action and undergoing change
with an aim towards the better, and we are not yet able to
clearly determine the result of these attempts.
19 At
these turning points with no conclusion in view, many members
of Thai society are suffering
and need relief, have many questions that need explanation,
are discovering some solutions and need others to endorse
their discoveries, have already, found some answers and need
supports, have initiated action and need partners, have learned
from experience and are confident to find common goals and
policies, are becoming experts and yet need new knowledge
and approaches that are deeper and broader. We can see that
though Thai society has got several answers from different
perspectives, it is still facing many questions and problems,
which are even more complicated because of rapid and radical
changes in society.
20 With
this ongoing flow of problems, sufferings and confusion,
members of Thai society still have
to continue their journey in the world driven by the current
of globalisation. Each individual or group has specific power,
scope and problems they have to address to maintain their
identity as Thai people who are able to search and develop
new ways to better achieve a balanced relationship. In short,
Thai society is searching for a true meaning of life. |
