Page 11 - Social Enterprise A New Business Paradigm for Thailand

procurement policies, especially in countries like Italy and Spain, are actively designed to
support and scale social enterprises.

6. The evolution from civic giving to social enterprise

The path toward social enterprise can be traced through the evolution of public-minded giving.
In every major religion, acts of generosity and almsgiving have long been embedded in
tradition. Over time, these acts gradually transformed into public-benefit–oriented giving. For
instance, they aimed to alleviate poverty, improve quality of life, or preserve the environment.
This transformation has been shaped by multiple forces: labor union movements, student
activism, youth-led demands for rights and environmental protection, and the intellectual
influence of academics in the Western world. As a result, giving that was once personal and

religious in nature has evolved into organizational giving, underpinned by strategic intent, what
is now known as strategic giving. Academic studies, particularly those addressing the visible
effects of climate change caused by resource overexploitation, have brought global urgency to
the issue. These insights have led to international agreements requiring countries to reduce
greenhouse gas emissions. Sustainability has thus become a shared imperative across the
global community, further reinforcing the strategic, systemic mindset behind social enterprise.

In Thailand, the strongest drivers of public giving remain religion and culture. As a result,
temples continue to be the largest recipients of donations among nonprofit organizations and

appear more sustainable than many other entities. However, among younger generations,
there has been a discernible shift: charitable giving is increasingly being redefined as
contributions for public benefit, and this shift could pave the way for the emergence and
gradual expansion of social enterprises.The profile of givers has also diversified, from wealthy
elites and social leaders to the general public. Moreover, these new dynamics have enabled
greater use of public fundraising tools, especially crowdfunding. It is becoming a key
mechanism for mobilizing resources in support of social goals.

7. Thailand’s social economy is large and widely recognized

Thailand’s social economy is substantial and generally acknowledged for its scale. It refers to
the segment of the economy that conducts activities aimed at solving social problems and
promoting justice and inclusive participation. It consists of mission-driven organizations that
prioritize collective and social benefit over private profit. These include:

• 14,330 foundations
• 18,506 associations
• 6,316 active cooperatives
• 82,888 community enterprises

• 345 officially registered social enterprises with the Office of Social Enterprise Promotion (as
of April 3, 2025)

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