Sufficiency Economy

[simon43]

I'm interested to understand more about HM the King's ideas and descriptions of his Sufficiency Economy concept. Are there any online resources (in English) that will explain it further?

Thanks

Simon

[dumball]

I'm interested to understand more about HM the King's ideas and descriptions of his Sufficiency Economy concept. Are there any online resources (in English) that will explain it further?

Thanks

Simon

It is all about common sense(very rare) realy , surrounding you and your family with all your daily needs so as not to be dependant on the outside world .

[MKAsok]

You might find this speech helpful.

[elkangorito]

I guess nobody is game to make a comment.

I see that this policy could be seen in two different ways;

1] a segregationist policy whereby Thailand remains economically non-dependent upon any outside resource (the ultimate goal). Whilst this may ultimately be a good thing, the question must be asked, "How will people deal with doing away with familiar technology?" The question refers to technology mainly...like computers etc & all those who currently get money from educating the masses. Of course, this doesn't matter if Thailand can produce its own technology, electricity etc.

What about a growing & aging population (thanks to external technology)?

2] How will Thailand fair in the world if it is not willing to partake in its "goings ons"?

Oops! I just read "the speech". However, I fear that there are many a person in Thailand who would love to use this opportunity to perform lots of international segregation.

It's a shame that the person who suggested this concept, can't actually police it or control it.

Further, it is a great idea...but only if the whole world could adopt it.

Edited October 28, 2008 by elkangorito

[h90]

I guess nobody is game to make a comment.

I see that this policy could be seen in two different ways;

1] a segregationist policy whereby Thailand remains economically non-dependent upon any outside resource (the ultimate goal). Whilst this may ultimately be a good thing, the question must be asked, "How will people deal with doing away with familiar technology?" The question refers to technology mainly...like computers etc & all those who currently get money from educating the masses. Of course, this doesn't matter if Thailand can produce its own technology, electricity etc.

What about a growing & aging population (thanks to external technology)?

2] How will Thailand fair in the world if it is not willing to partake in its "goings ons"?

You didn't understand it. I recommend you educate yourself on it BEFORE you post nonsense.

[elkangorito]

Please note the edits.

[Heng]

It'll be completely relative to your particular situation in life. It doesn't mean shutting down your factories and businesses and living only on veggies grown in your own private garden (in the same way it doesn't mean the Crown Property Bureau will divest its US$ billions in assets anytime soon).

For me it means being content with what I have and not going for too much when I'm up at bat (singles and doubles are fine... no need to risk easy outs when you're already ahead). No debt, modest income and asset growth.

For other folks it might mean...

-buying an Altis instead of a Camry

-choosing Leo in place of Chang

-taking a holiday at Koh Larn instead of Phuket

-buying the store brand instead of the name brand...

Edited October 28, 2008 by Heng

[GuestHouse]

There are a number of online discussions/resources on this, some supportive. others critical - and you know where that leads to - So I my best advice is 'Google it'.

[simon43]

I can see that (as usual..), threads of this type will rapidly be closed due to ill-advised comment. That speech link was very useful for me to understand what He means by Sufficiency Economy. I note that He states that an implementation of 25% of SE should be enough, and that 100% is definitely not acceptable. In the context of His explanation of SE, that makes entire sense.

BTW, who is the 'idiot' with the PhD that He mentions who thought 25% meant 25% of the land of Thailand??

Simon

Edited October 29, 2008 by simon43

[Smithson]

Look at it this way, it's something that encourages rural communities to look after themselves, be resourceful and not be so dependent on cash.

Surely this is a good thing for all the farang with rural in-laws, as it means less requests for hand outs. Considering this, I can't believe ppl trash the concept so much.

[Jai Dee]

Derogatory comments have been deleted from this thread.

Further comments of such nature will result in suspension of your ThaiVisa membership and you will be banned from the Forum.

This is in accordance with Forum Rules.

Be warned.

[Gravelrash]

I guess nobody is game to make a comment.

I see that this policy could be seen in two different ways;

1] a segregationist policy whereby Thailand remains economically non-dependent upon any outside resource (the ultimate goal). Whilst this may ultimately be a good thing, the question must be asked, "How will people deal with doing away with familiar technology?" The question refers to technology mainly...like computers etc & all those who currently get money from educating the masses. Of course, this doesn't matter if Thailand can produce its own technology, electricity etc.

What about a growing & aging population (thanks to external technology)?

2] How will Thailand fair in the world if it is not willing to partake in its "goings ons"?

You didn't understand it. I recommend you educate yourself on it BEFORE you post nonsense.

I must have missed the post where you succinctly and clearly explained the concept to the OP? Because obviously you wouldn't be criticizing others for trying unless you had already done a superior job.

It must have got accidentally deleted, please re-post and share with us not only your sparkling wit but intuitive understanding of deeper issues.

[Hairy]

Sounds a bit like the "voluntary simplicity" movement in the U.S. I'm all for it, although I'm sure LV is quivering in their handbags at the thought.

[Plus]

Not voluntary simplicity, but sophisitcation within means and requirements.

While it could mean:

"-buying the store brand instead of the name brand..."

it could also mean buying Nike "dryfit" instead of no name synthetic t-shirt that smells like piss in fifteen minutes, if it's within your means.

It could also mean buying LV bag if you need to be presentable. It could also mean using professional services if it can keep your marriage from crumbling.

[Mattchu9999]

Any concept that preaches self sufficiency I think is a step in the right direction.

I'll cheat here and just say that much of the sayings and mantras in the movie Fight Club in my opinion would do a greater good than this rampant consumerism we see in much of the world.

The things you own, end up owning you.

<deleted> off with your sofa units and strine green stripe patterns, I say never be complete, I say stop being perfect, I say let... lets evolve, let the chips fall where they

I see all this potential, and I see squandering. God d*mn it, an entire generation pumping gas, waiting tables; slaves with white collars. Advertising has us chasing cars and clothes, working jobs we hate so we can buy sh*t we don't need. We're the middle children of history, man. No purpose or place. We have no Great War. No Great Depression. Our Great War's a spiritual war... our Great Depression is our lives. We've all been raised on television to believe that one day we'd all be millionaires, and movie gods, and rock stars. But we won't. And we're slowly learning that fact. And we're very, very pissed off.

You're not your job. You're not how much money you have in the bank. You're not the car you drive. You're not the contents of your wallet. You're not your <deleted>**ing khakis. You're the all-singing, all-dancing crap of the world.

[Poottrong]

It'll be completely relative to your particular situation in life. It doesn't mean shutting down your factories and businesses and living only on veggies grown in your own private garden (in the same way it doesn't mean the Crown Property Bureau will divest its US$ billions in assets anytime soon).

For me it means being content with what I have and not going for too much when I'm up at bat (singles and doubles are fine... no need to risk easy outs when you're already ahead). No debt, modest income and asset growth.

For other folks it might mean...

-buying an Altis instead of a Camry

-choosing Leo in place of Chang

-taking a holiday at Koh Larn instead of Phuket

-buying the store brand instead of the name brand...

Chang is cheaper than Leo.

[simon43]

OK, still need some clarifications about the word 'sufficiency'.

- Is it more to do with buying or using products that are sufficent for your needs, (as opposed to excessive spending on something that is more than sufficient for your needs)?

- Is it more to do with being self-sufficient, and growing/manufacturing your own food and/or goods, rather than relying on the supply by others or having to spend money on purchasing these items?

- Or it is a combination of both etc?

And no-one has yet identified the PhD holder who got it all wrong!

Simon

[Poottrong]

OK, still need some clarifications about the word 'sufficiency'.

- Is it more to do with buying or using products that are sufficent for your needs, (as opposed to excessive spending on something that is more than sufficient for your needs)?

- Is it more to do with being self-sufficient, and growing/manufacturing your own food and/or goods, rather than relying on the supply by others or having to spend money on purchasing these items?

- Or it is a combination of both etc?

And no-one has yet identified the PhD holder who got it all wrong!

Simon

I think that it's a combination of both and can be applied to all lifestyles and vocations and to the nation as a whole however the king has made specific and detailed explanations on how this would work with farmers. For example instead of using all their land for commercial rice production they are advised to set aside a certain amount for fruit and vegetables sufficient for self use and selling any surplus if need be. He also recommends farmers raising their own pigs, poultry etc and each household having it's own pond for water supply and raising fish. He goes into quite specific detail on this and more and I'm sure you could find it if you google the topic.

I don't interpret it as turning back the clock or isolationism but rather simply living within ones means, avoiding debt and rampant materialism and wherever possible being self reliant both on an individual level and a national level.