Page 224 - Social Enterprise A New Business Paradigm for Thailand

change. The MBA curriculum is structured around two core areas: environmental studies and
business administration. Students are required to integrate both domains in designing a viable
social enterprise. This interdisciplinary foundation positions graduates for a wide range of

career paths and strengthens their competitiveness in the job market. The program operates
on a flat-fee model of $25,000, which is fully reimbursed upon graduation, offering strong
financial and social incentives to succeed.

7.4 Partners of Social Enterprises

This group includes independent nonprofit networks that support one another through the
exchange of knowledge, experiences, and skills; communities that social enterprises engage

with, which must cooperate and provide support for various initiatives; and customers who are
intentionally committed to supporting socially driven activities. Key partners include the Puey
Ungphakorn School of Development Studies, Social Value Thailand, Sal Forest (Pa Sala),
NISECorp, and the Office of the National Community and Economic Development. Further
details and a complete list of social enterprise partners in Thailand are provided in Appendix
7.1.

7.5 Choosing Whether or Not to Register as a Social Enterprise

A review of the current landscape reveals that many social enterprises in Thailand have opted
not to formally register as social enterprises. Why is this the case? Interviews were conducted
with a total of 38 organizations engaged in socially driven activities, both companies and
foundations, including those that are registered under the Social Enterprise Promotion Act B.E.
2562 (2019) and those that are not. In addition, 52 supporting organizations that work to
promote or assist socially oriented enterprises were also interviewed. The findings suggest that
organizations which choose to register as social enterprises do so for varying reasons. Broadly

speaking, these motivations can be grouped into two key themes.

7.5.1 Incentives for Registering as a Social Enterprise

Registering as a social enterprise (SE) provides organizations with a clear legal identity that
affirms their dual mission of conducting business while pursuing social impact. This status
enhances credibility in the eyes of key stakeholders, including business partners, funders, and
government agencies, and helps build trust among donors, investors, and consumers by

demonstrating that the organization operates transparently and is subject to legal oversight. In
addition, registration facilitates access to funding through several channels:

190