106 - มหาวิทยาลัยขอนแก่น · The concept and policy of social...

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The International Conference on Sustainable Community Development27-29 January 2011

Thai social welfare policy: Synergistic approaches to social development of government and the public sector

Apisak Dhiravisit , PhD

Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences Khon Kaen University

123 Mittaparb Rd., Maung District, Khon Kaen 40002

Telephone: 0-4336-2039

E-mail: [email protected]

Abstract This article aims to analyze changes in Thai social

welfare policies in recent years and considers their impact on

the mechanism of the Thai welfare state, with an eye to future

underlying social change so the fact of a rapidly aging population

will prompt policy makers to bring about significant changes in

these policies. The paper concludes with a discussion of

implications of the approaches for social welfare management

in four regions of Thailand.

Key word: welfare policy, social welfare, social development

1. Introduction Introduction of the Thai welfare state may significantly

change Thai society. The concept and policy of social welfare

development to enhance quality of life of Thai [Lucy1]has just

recently been implemented under the scope of the 2007

Constitution of Thai Kingdom. This policy primarily recognizes

the importance of the economy, public health, education, and

religion and culture. The principal objective of the 10th National

Economic and Social Development Plan covering 2007 to 2011

(Arkhom, 2008), which is adopted and based on the concept of

a sufficiency economy, is to establish a green and happy

society. Indeed, this is the first Thai law addressing social

welfare, which is administered under a 2003 Act of Social

Welfare Promotion amended in 2007. The main effect of this

amendment is to acknowledge that a community can implement

its own social welfare program in cooperation with state social

welfare. The concept of state social welfare is defined in legal

terms such that “Social welfare is a system of social services

involved in prevention, solutions and development and support

for social stability to respond to the primary needs of people so

that they have a good quality of life and self-dependence under

conditions of coverage, suitability and equality. The services cover

education, health, shelter, work and income, recreation, justice

and other social services. And, human dignity, social rights and

involvement with all level of social welfare provision are subjects

to take into consideration.”

In fact, the majority of social welfare programs

available in Thailand seem to rest on the fact that the

government provides while people wait to be fed, as illustrated

by a health welfare program called “30 baht Universal Healthcare

Program,” monthly allowance for the aged, a vocational welfare

program called the “One Million for Village Fund,” etc. However,

despite a number of benefits, these types of welfare programs

tend to mislead people into believing that these services are a

right. In practice, even with limited understanding of and

perspectives on welfare, a considerable number of the activities

are traditionally based and adopted from cultures, traditions, and

way of life in which community groups, individual families, or

kinship support one another and share food, for instance, and

where happiness is based on their own culture. Nevertheless,

it is not called welfare but “tradition.” This is reflected in the

definition given of welfare that it is “shared hospitality in a

community where ‘giving and taking’ lies on dignity of a human.”

It is widely accepted that the existence of a

typical community with hospitality and self-dependence reflects

effective adaptability and harmonizes with present phenomena.

Compromising between globalization, which is supported by

capitalism to create financial stability, and localization, the goal

of which is to socialize, could prove this fact; however, building

a community where people live happily is challenging, especially

with globalization. This phenomenon is impacting people’s way of

life, causing vocational shifts from agriculture to industrial sectors,

and multiplying the so-called ageing society. For this reason, it is

necessary that state policies balance economic development and

social development. Particularly, the provision of state welfare

requires cooperation among government sectors, private sectors,

and public organizations. In addition, innovations in the social

welfare program should be diversified and easily accessible to

all, including the privileged and the marginalized. Moreover,

the government and related agencies should be committed to

supporting communities to organize and manage welfare so

they are less dependent on authorities (deinstitutionalization).

In fact, traditional elderly care homes should be downsized,

and communities ought to be more actively involved in welfare

management (Dewilde & Keulenare, 2003)

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The objective of this research is to investigate

management policy after introduction of a social welfare state

and to explore patterns of social welfare management by the

government and public sectors. This is a case set in four different

cultural contexts in four Thai regions.

2. Research Methodology Participatory Action Research (PAR) methods

(Buckingham & Saunders, 2004) were used to gather a great

deal of data for this study, in close collaboration with the

Social Development and Human Security Office in Khon Kaen,

Chanthaburi, Lumpang, and Pattalung provinces. PAR research

methods have been described as a way to establish welfare

management dialogue, build collaborative relationships, and

enhance community empowerment (Rapley, 2003; McNeill &

Chapman, 2005). Quantitative and qualitative research methods

were both used in the study, including documentary research,

descriptive research, participatory observation, individual and

group interviews, and survey research, based on a mixed

methods approach. Data for the first section of this study, an

analysis of the system of social welfare management, were

collected using conceptual framework techniques, participatory

observation, structured interviews, and in-depth semistructured

interviews. The second section of the study involved in-depth

semistructured interviews in the field. The interview questions

were composed after documentary analysis and with the help

of specialist teams (Prior, 2003). For the survey part of the

study, which looked at aspects of welfare management in four

sample provinces in Thailand, statistical data were collected and

analyzed over a one-year period. The final step was synthesis

of the data and formulation of conclusions.

3. Results and Discussion Primary concepts of social welfare management in

Thailand are based on two propositions. The first is generated

from the essence of Buddhism, in which subjective well-being is

regarded as supremely important. It is believed that all miseries

begin in one’s mind, so this is where to start dealing with them.

This notion is illustrated in traditions and cultures in communities

where religious institutions play a crucial role in socialization and

in social welfare management. The second conceptual foundation

refers basically to political notions. This foundation assigns an

“outsider” to manage and control in the contexts of economy,

society, and environment. The objective is to trigger resource

management and welfare programs for all, providing security

and well-being. Nevertheless, both concepts have virtually the

same objectives of creation of a happy society as well as a social

welfare system that can respond to basic needs for better quality

of life and a stable society.

In Thailand, policies concerning welfare management

are laid out in the 2007 Constitution of Thai Kingdom. These

are the country’s primary schemes to develop its economy,

society, public health, religion and culture, and juridical systems.

They are specified in the 10th National Economic and Social

Development Plan for 2007 to 2011. The principal objectives

of this plan are to create a green and happy society through

practices and philosophy of sufficiency economics. The vision is

that Thai will be informed of globalization and have cozy families;

meanwhile, their communities and society will be empowered. In

addition, regarding the economy, it is to be developed with quality,

stability, and equity. Regarding the environment, sustainability is

emphasized in the development strategies, with good governance

given primary consideration, and regulation amendments must

facilitate benefit distribution to all sectors and with transparent

action, integrity, justice, and public responsibility. Furthermore,

decision-making power is decentralized and people’s involvement

is enhanced. For all, impartiality in the economy, the society,

and resource utilization is justified.

However, despite the concept of equity in social welfare

management, critical mechanisms driving implementation of the

policy, government and political parties, have hidden political

agendas of promoting the policy for votes. These types of policies

not only lead to instability of welfare but also ruin the traditional

social welfare system; therefore, any introduced social welfare

schemes should be developed through shared understanding

and bring about a universal system.

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As shown in Table 1, when considering the budget

spent over the last three years, the proportion of budget allocated

to each of the aspects is not significantly different. In particular,

the proportion of budget allocated to community services in 2009,

2008, and 2007 was 7.6%, 6.9%, and 6.5%[Lucy4], respectively,

accounting for 41.8% of all budget.

According to the budget for the country’s development,

the government is aware of the significance of community and

social services. In addition, in terms of economic development,

despite the fact that the recent GDP of the country has appar-

ently risen, that income is still centralized, leading to wide overlap

between people in the country. This is the reason the country’s

strategic planning is subject to amendment.

Mechanisms of social welfare development in government

and public sectors

In fact, schemes to develop social welfare systems in

Thailand are addressed in the first five-year strategic plans (2007-

2011), which are specified in the 10th National Development

Plan. That is, social welfare development occurs at a provincial

level, with provinces expected to play an active role in

integrating development, whereas Tambols and villages serve as

public areas for public hearings and formulation of local activities.

The Office of Social and Human Development is the

main government agency implementing the program and supports

public and private sectors to involve them in organizing social

Table 1 Fiscal budget

welfare; however, in practice, it is ineffective because the agency

is still based on a bureaucratic system, working as a charitable

agency rather than developing social welfare activities. Thus, to

be more effective in improving the social welfare system, it will

be necessary for relevant workers to adopt a different attitude,

for the framework to be corrected for more flexibility, and for the

relevant agencies to play a role in coordinating networks and

supporting agencies.

Nevertheless, if the idea that local agencies

should cooperate while social welfare funds are allocated to

provinces is taken into consideration, it would be an initial step

toward equalizing and distributing benefits to people. Again, in

reality those who make decisions are involved in hierarchical

government offices, and it is they who can exercise their power

to compromise the benefits and allocate funds to their support-

ers. This means that the funds are not extensively distributed,

nor can equity be verified.

Structural change of the aging population group and social

welfare management

It is expected that the proportion of those aged 65 and

older will increase from 7% to 17% to 23% in 2007, 2030, and

2050, respectively (Table 2). This affirms that Thailand will soon

become a society of the aged.

Table 2 Thailand’s aging population

Sources: Asian Meta Center, 2009, cited from Population Reference Bureau, 2007; World Population Data Sheet for 2007; United

Nation Population Division, 2006; World Population Prospects and 2007 World Urbanization Prospects

3

Table 1 Fiscal budget Unit: million baht

2007 2008 2009 Fiscal budget amount

(Thai baht) %amount

(Thai baht) %amount

(Thai baht) %General administration 284,170.1 18.2 328,435.1 19.8 377,514.7 20.6 Social service 655,123.2 41.8 693,976.6 41.8 765,982.9 41.7 Economic development 332,282.9 21.2 320,416.4 19.3 317,592.9 17.3 Miscellaneous 249,623.8 18.8 317,171.9 19.1 373,910.5 20.4

Total 1,566,200.0 100.0 1,660,000.0 100.0 1,835,000.0 100.0 Sources: Thailand’s Budget in Brief, fiscal years 2007, 2008, 2009

As shown in Table 1, when considering the budget spent over the last three years, the proportion of budget allocated to each of the aspects is not significantly different. In particular, the proportion of budget allocated to community services in 2009, 2008, and 2007 was 7.6%, 6.9%, and 6.5%, respectively, accounting for 41.8% of all budget. According to the budget for the country’s

development, the government is aware of the significance of community and social services. In addition, in terms of economic development, despite the fact that the recent GDP of the country has apparently risen, that income is still centralized, leading to wide overlap between people in the country. This is the reason the country’s strategic planning is subject to amendment.

Mechanisms of social welfare development in government and public sectors

In fact, schemes to develop social welfare systems in Thailand are addressed in the first five-year strategic plans (2007-2011), which are specified in the 10th National Development Plan. That is, social welfare development occurs at a provincial level, with provinces expected to play an active role in integrating development, whereas Tambols and villages serve as public areas for public hearings and formulation of local activities. The Office of Social and Human Development is the main government agency implementing the program and supports public and private sectors to involve them in organizing social welfare; however, in practice, it is ineffective because the agency is still based on a bureaucratic system, working as a charitable agency rather than developing social welfare activities. Thus, to be more effective in improving the social welfare system, it will be necessary for relevant workers to adopt a different attitude, for the framework to be corrected for more flexibility, and for the relevant

agencies to play a role in coordinating networks and supporting agencies. Nevertheless, if the idea that local agencies should cooperate while social welfare funds are allocated to provinces is taken into consideration, it

would be an initial step toward equalizing and distributing benefits to people. Again, in reality those who make decisions are involved in hierarchical government offices, and it is they who can exercise their power to compromise the benefits and allocate funds to their supporters. This means that the funds are not extensively distributed, nor can equity be verified.

Structural change of the aging population group and social welfare management

It is expected that the proportion of those aged 65 and older will increase from 7% to 17% to 23% in 2007, 2030, and 2050, respectively (Table 2). This affirms that Thailand will soon become a society of the aged.

4


Year Population size (in millions)

Proportion below age 15 (%)

Proportion aged 65 and above (%)

2007 65.7 23 7 2030 69.2 17 17 2050 67.4 16 23

Sources: Asian Meta Center, 2009, cited from Population Reference Bureau, 2007; World Population Data Sheet for 2007; United Nation Population Division, 2006; World Population Prospects and 2007 World Urbanization Prospects

Table 3 Number of projects and organizations and budget for welfare activity in 4 provinces of Thailand (2007-2008)

Notes: P = number of projects, O = number of organization, B = budget (Thai million baht)

In fact, the social welfare policies of every political party in Thailand are virtually identical; that is, almost all the parties are aware of the importance of social welfare provisions and plan to manage welfare in the same form of charitable aid, a so-called life allowance. The difference is the amount the aged would get each month. This implies that the motive of political parties is to gain votes and win elections rather than to enable the communities to take care of the elderly and depend on one another. In particular, it is rare that the aging group in informal sectors can access the social welfare provided by the government. Based on this study, it is recommended that it be a requirement to establish a public social welfare fund partially funded by the government and managed by the communities.

Social welfare management in four regions of Thailand

In 2007-2008 the government tried a pilot project in self-management of social welfare by local government and civil sectors in four areas. These included Changwat Pattalung (in the south), Changwat Chantaburi (in the east), Changwat Khon Kaen (in the northeast), and Changwat Lumpang (in the north) (Table 3). During the implementation, community social welfare management and development of quality of life were underlined. Regarding the budget for welfare activity, the total amount of allocated budget to Changwat Pattalung, Changwat Chantaburi, Changwat Khon Kaen and Changwat Lumpang was 0.6, 1.6, 0.4, and 1.8 million baht, respectively, while the budget for

career welfare was 1.6, 0.0, 4.5, and 0.9, respectively. In cooperation with government sectors, welfare activities have been transformed into various projects and distinct responsible agencies. When the terms of welfare management were considered in seven dimensions, it was revealed that such management was neither concerned with particular issues nor widespread to all possible groups of people. According to the study, civil welfare programs managed by the communities indicated a likelihood that resources of welfare were extensively distributed and that the budget spent was less than that managed by the government. Therefore, based on this study, a system of welfare activities managed by communities should be implemented nationwide. The advantages of doing this include dynamic management and linear actions; more equitable welfare distribution; involvement of people, ranging from individuals and families to the community, social institutions in the community, and government agencies; and stability of the economy at a grassroots level, where a full cycle of welfare is created, covering the human life cycle from birth to death. In fact, it seems like a kind of pension welfare for all. Furthermore, this model tends to be a people development process and to use social resources to strengthen a community for the ultimate goal: self-dependence in globalization.

One baht saving: Civil welfare

One baht saving is a concept in which daily expenditure must be reduced and one baht is

Pathalung Chantaburi Khon Kaen Lampang Development Activities P O B P O B P O B P O B

Community welfare 11 10 0.6 20 20 1.6 9 9 0.4 12 12 1.8 Quality of life 24 20 1.6 - - - 75 58 4.5 6 6 0.9 Occupations 3 3 0.2 3 3 0.2 16 16 0.4 3 2 0.4 Money support - - - 1 1 0.1 - - - - - - Natural resources - - - - - - - - - 1 1 0.2

Total 38 33 2.4 24 24 1.9 100 83 5.5 22 21 3.4

109




In fact, the social welfare policies of every political

party in Thailand are virtually identical; that is, almost all the

parties are aware of the importance of social welfare provisions

and plan to manage welfare in the same form of charitable

aid, a so-called life allowance. The difference is the amount

the aged would get each month. This implies that the motive of

political parties is to gain votes and win elections rather than to

enable the communities to take care of the elderly and depend

on one another. In particular, it is rare that the aging group in

informal sectors can access the social welfare provided by the

government. Based on this study, it is recommended that it be

a requirement to establish a public social welfare fund partially

funded by the government and managed by the communities.


In 2007-2008 the government tried a pilot project in

self-management of social welfare by local government and civil

sectors in four areas. These included Changwat Pattalung (in

the south), Changwat Chantaburi (in the east), Changwat Khon

Kaen (in the northeast), and Changwat Lumpang (in the north)

(Table 3). During the implementation, community social welfare

management and development of quality of life were underlined.

Regarding the budget for welfare activity, the total amount of

allocated budget to Changwat Pattalung, Changwat Chantaburi,

Changwat Khon Kaen and Changwat Lumpang was 0.6, 1.6, 0.4,

and 1.8 million baht, respectively, while the budget for career

welfare was 1.6, 0.0, 4.5, and 0.9, respectively.

In cooperation with government sectors, welfare

activities have been transformed into various projects and distinct

responsible agencies. When the terms of welfare management

were considered in seven dimensions, it was revealed that such

management was neither concerned with particular issues nor

widespread to all possible groups of people. According to the

study, civil welfare programs managed by the communities

indicated a likelihood that resources of welfare were extensively

distributed[Lucy5] and that the budget spent was less than that

managed by the government. Therefore, based on this study, a

system of welfare activities managed by communities should be

implemented nationwide. The advantages of doing this include

dynamic management and linear actions; more equitable welfare

distribution; involvement of people, ranging from individuals and

families to the community, social institutions in the community,

and government agencies; and stability of the economy at a

grassroots level, where a full cycle of welfare is created, covering

the human life cycle from birth to death. In fact, it seems like a

kind of pension welfare for all. Furthermore, this model tends to

be a people development process and to use social resources

to strengthen a community for the ultimate goal: self-dependence

in globalization.


One baht saving is a concept in which daily

expenditure must be reduced and one baht is collected to

make merit. This thought has been developed by Scholar Chop

Yodkeaw, a local scholar in the south of Thailand. In practice,

members of a community make merit on Buddhist Day and

have the common objective of reducing selfishness. As a result,

members of the community increase a sense of hospitality by

helping one another, and they have been involved in this kind of

welfare from the time they were born until they die. The money

borrowed to practice their occupation can be diversified to other

development such as public activities for the village, community

shops, forestation, etc. The objective of establishment of a

community welfare fund is to run a campaign to raise awareness

of saving, independence, morals, and hospitality and support of

one another, especially in the event that a member experiences

illness or death. Virtually, welfare in the form of a financial fund

becomes a welfare system related to cultural bases and

resting on local resources. This principal would be a mainstream

for sufficiency and sustainability for any community (O’Neal &

O’Neal, 2003; Browing, Halcli, & Webster, 2000). A suggestion

for public sectors to improve the welfare fund for sustainability

(Figure 1) is that people organizations be granted permission to

implement and manage social welfare, cooperating with government

agencies through vertical linkage. This is similar to a pattern of a

local state and a central state. In addition, horizontal relationships

4


Year Population size (in millions)

Proportion below age 15 (%)

Proportion aged 65 and above (%)

2007 65.7 23 7 2030 69.2 17 17 2050 67.4 16 23

Sources: Asian Meta Center, 2009, cited from Population Reference Bureau, 2007; World Population Data Sheet for 2007; United Nation Population Division, 2006; World Population Prospects and 2007 World Urbanization Prospects



In fact, the social welfare policies of every political party in Thailand are virtually identical; that is, almost all the parties are aware of the importance of social welfare provisions and plan to manage welfare in the same form of charitable aid, a so-called life allowance. The difference is the amount the aged would get each month. This implies that the motive of political parties is to gain votes and win elections rather than to enable the communities to take care of the elderly and depend on one another. In particular, it is rare that the aging group in informal sectors can access the social welfare provided by the government. Based on this study, it is recommended that it be a requirement to establish a public social welfare fund partially funded by the government and managed by the communities.


In 2007-2008 the government tried a pilot project in self-management of social welfare by local government and civil sectors in four areas. These included Changwat Pattalung (in the south), Changwat Chantaburi (in the east), Changwat Khon Kaen (in the northeast), and Changwat Lumpang (in the north) (Table 3). During the implementation, community social welfare management and development of quality of life were underlined. Regarding the budget for welfare activity, the total amount of allocated budget to Changwat Pattalung, Changwat Chantaburi, Changwat Khon Kaen and Changwat Lumpang was 0.6, 1.6, 0.4, and 1.8 million baht, respectively, while the budget for

career welfare was 1.6, 0.0, 4.5, and 0.9, respectively. In cooperation with government sectors, welfare activities have been transformed into various projects and distinct responsible agencies. When the terms of welfare management were considered in seven dimensions, it was revealed that such management was neither concerned with particular issues nor widespread to all possible groups of people. According to the study, civil welfare programs managed by the communities indicated a likelihood that resources of welfare were extensively distributed and that the budget spent was less than that managed by the government. Therefore, based on this study, a system of welfare activities managed by communities should be implemented nationwide. The advantages of doing this include dynamic management and linear actions; more equitable welfare distribution; involvement of people, ranging from individuals and families to the community, social institutions in the community, and government agencies; and stability of the economy at a grassroots level, where a full cycle of welfare is created, covering the human life cycle from birth to death. In fact, it seems like a kind of pension welfare for all. Furthermore, this model tends to be a people development process and to use social resources to strengthen a community for the ultimate goal: self-dependence in globalization.


One baht saving is a concept in which daily expenditure must be reduced and one baht is

Pathalung Chantaburi Khon Kaen Lampang Development Activities P O B P O B P O B P O B

Community welfare 11 10 0.6 20 20 1.6 9 9 0.4 12 12 1.8 Quality of life 24 20 1.6 - - - 75 58 4.5 6 6 0.9 Occupations 3 3 0.2 3 3 0.2 16 16 0.4 3 2 0.4 Money support - - - 1 1 0.1 - - - - - - Natural resources - - - - - - - - - 1 1 0.2

Total 38 33 2.4 24 24 1.9 100 83 5.5 22 21 3.4

110


among people organizations and local states is probably closer

as they are a conventional group. This means that the form of

network structure shifts from “getting by” to “getting ahead,” and

a shift from bonding to bridging network structure occurs (Crow,

2007). With public welfare management, the fund is raised by

three parties in the same ratio: 1:1:1. People organizations can

manage the collected money to distribute welfare to members.

Figure 1 The model of fund raising for local welfare management

However, an understanding of the value of community

welfare that the principal objective of saving is to borrow money

affects such saving groups in that they fail to maintain their

groups. As a result, in respect of establishing a saving group

for community welfare activities, it is vital that all the activities

implemented in the community be explicitly understood and that

they realize not only themselves and their family but also their

community for sustainability in globalization. Virtually, the strength

of their group can ensure stability of life (Chambers, 2004).

4.Recommendations The policy of welfare management in Thailand is

implemented under the scope of law and by recent strategic

plans. These schemes attempt to establish management

strategies by integrating welfare managed by the government and

public sectors. This concept recognizes the significance of public

sectors in managing and implementing welfare by themselves.

This may owe to different characteristics of context in each area.

In particular, the existence or nonexistence of a local fund and

resources, in light of the effect of globalization, where economic

development is underlined, mistakenly leads to development for

material stability and consumption. Accordingly, to survive, local

people should rest on the principal that people in a community

serve one another and manage welfare to aid all members of

a family to survive. And, to a larger extent, networks should be

established and linked to create a happy society. In fact, this

action brings together interdisciplinary fields for problem solving

(Ishihara & Pascual, 2009; Apisak, 2009; Carrington, Scott, &

Wasserman, 2005; White, 2008).

5

management byetween local government and civil sectors in four areas. These included Changwat Pattalung (in the south), Changwat Chantaburi (in the east), Changwat Khon Kaen (in the northeast), and Changwat Lumpang (in the north) (tTable 3). DuringIn the implementation, community social welfare management and development of quality of life were underlined. Regarding the In respect of budget for welfare activity, the total amount of allocated budget tofor Changwat Pattalung, Changwat Chantaburi, Changwat Khon Kaen and Changwat Lumpang was 0.6, 1.6, 0.4, and 1.8 million baht, respectively, while the budget for career welfare was 1.6, 0.0, 4.5, and 0.9, respectively. In cooperation with government sectors, the welfare activities have beenwere transformed into variousdifferent projects and distinct responsible agencies. When considering the terms defined forof welfare management were considered in seven7 dimensions, it was revealedshowed that suchthe given welfare management was neither concernedvered with particular issues nor widespread to all possible groups of people. According to the study, civil welfare programs managed by the communities managed indicated a livkelihood that resources of welfare were extensively distributed and that the spent budget spent was less than that managed by the government. Therefore, based on this study, a systemthe idea thatof welfare activities managed by a communityies be supported should beto implemented nationwide. The advantages of doing this includeo do this, one advantage is dynamic management and linear actions; more equitableanother is coverage of welfare distribution; the third one is involvementestablishment of people, involvement ranging from an individuals, and familyies, to the community, social institutesions in the community, and government agencies; and the last one is stability of the economy atin a grassroots level, where a full cycle of welfare is created, covering thea human life cycle from birth to deathd. In fact, it seems liketo a kind of pension welfare for all. Furthermore, this model tends to be a people development process and to useconstitute social resources to strengthen a community for the ultimate goal-: self -dependence in globalization. One baht saving: Ccivil welfare One baht saving is a concept thatin which daily expenditure must be reduced and one baht is collected to make merit. This thought has beenis developed by Scholar Chop Yodkeaw, a local scholar in the south of Thailand. In practice, members of a community make merit on Buddhist dDay and have the common objective ofto reduceing selfishness. As a result, the members inof

the community raiseincrease a sense of hospitality by helping one another, and they have been who are involved in this kind of welfare from the timesince they were born until they die dead. The money borrowed to practice their occupation can be diversified to other development such activities as public activities for the village, community shops, forestation, etc. The objective of establishment of a community welfare fund is to run a campaign to raise awareness of saving, self independence, morals, and hospitality and support of one another, especially in the event that asome of the members experiences illness andor death. Virtually, welfare in the form of a financial fund becomes a welfare system that is related to cultural bases and restings on local resources. This principal would be a mainstream for sufficiency and sustainability for any communitiesy (O‟Neal and & O‟Neal, 2003; Browing, Halcli, & and Webster, 2000). AThe suggestions for made by public sectors to improve the welfare fund for sustainability (fFigure 1) is that people organizations be granted permission to implement and manage social welfare, while cooperationng with the government agencies is in the form ofthrough vertical linkage. This is similar to a pattern of a local state and a central state. In additionBesides, horizontal the relationships in horizontal linkage among people organizations and local states is probably closer as they are a conventional group. This means that the form of network structure shifts from “ „getting by‟” to “getting ahead‟,” and a shift from bonding to bridging network structure occurs (Crow, 2007). WithUnder public welfare management, theits fund is raised byfrom three parties in thewith same ratio;: 1:1:1. Through which pPeople organizations can manage the collected money to distribute welfare to the members thoroughly.

Figure 1 The model of fund raising for local welfare management

However, an understanding of theand

value towardof community welfare that the principal objective of saving is to borrow some

Comment [Lucy5]: do you mean, were not extensively distributed ? The following are recommendations for welfare

development in Thailand. (1) The government should advocate

welfare development by authorizing people, with the govern-

ment playing a role of supporter, because the conventional

systems, which are implemented by the government, induce

red tape, and such systems seem to be a passive strategy, not

emphasizing process but output; in fact, the process of project

approval can reflect patronage culture. (2) Strategies should be

formulated and driven by authentic requirements of areas. That

is, communities should be granted involvement in management

of welfare activities while collaborating with the government.

(3) A database should be established in each area, where such local

organizations as Tambol and municipalities are agencies for

it. Necessary data would include amount of budget, activity

descriptions, and evaluation of related agencies. Problems

should be categorized, based on the area and issues, in order to

formulate precise strategies. (4) All agencies concerned with

welfare management should be integrated for collaboration,

starting with exchange of information, implementation, plans,

schemes, budget allocation, etc. The advantage would be a

common and clear orientation via synergistic approaches.

5.Acknowledgments Thailand Research Fund (TRF) is acknowledged for

its financial support. The author gratefully acknowledges the

contribution of four social welfare research teams in four regions.

The author would like to thank Aj Peem Pakamaethavee,

Dr. Tipawan Sri jan, Dr. Pattamavadee, and Susuki

Phochanukul[Lucy6] for offering useful suggestions during the

research.

6.References[1] Asian Meta Center. (2009). Asian demographic and human

capital, Data Sheet 2008. Austria: Wolfgang Lutz.

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