Page 225 - Social Enterprise A New Business Paradigm for Thailand

1. Direct fundraising. For instance, Dhamma Business Social Enterprise Co., Ltd., which is
registered as a profit-sharing SE, pursued formal SE status in order to raise capital by offering
shares to the general public. As of now, the company has raised approximately 180 million

baht and has 1.2 million shares still available. The target is to close the offering at 3 million
shares, with shares priced at 100 baht each and a 1-baht administrative fee per share. This
public offering is possible without going through the Stock Exchange of Thailand under the
Securities and Exchange Act B.E. 2535 (1992), which is overseen by the Securities and
Exchange Commission (SEC). Another example is Siam Able Innovation (Social Enterprise)
Co., Ltd., which registered as an SE to produce affordable assistive devices for people with
disabilities. Registration enabled the company to access multiple sources of financial
support. It began with a 2-million-baht startup grant awarded after winning the C ASEAN
Social Enterprise competition, sponsored by Thai Beverage Public Company Limited. This
initial funding was used as registered capital for the business. C ASEAN continued to support

the company’s path toward long-term sustainability and inclusive employment of people
with disabilities. The enterprise has also received funding from the Expressway Authority of
Thailand and Bumrungrad International Hospital.
2. Government procurement measures. In addition to improving access to funding, registering
as a social enterprise also allows organizations to benefit from specific incentives designed
to support operations that address social issues, as outlined in the Social Enterprise
Promotion Act. These include preferential treatment in government procurement,

particularly through provincial branches of the Pracharath Rak Samakkee Company. For
example, Pracharath Rak Samakkee Krabi has effectively leveraged these benefits by
establishing agreements with provincial hospitals, which are guided by ministry-level
policies to purchase safe agricultural products for use in hospital kitchens. The company has
also received support from the Department of Community Development to organize
community tourism events.
3. Access to targeted funding and technical assistance for social enterprises. Funds and
benefits provided by government, private sector, and international organizations often
come in the form of project-specific grants aimed at solving social problems. For instance,

Dao Ethical Gifts Co., Ltd. (registered as a non–profit–sharing social enterprise) received
funding from both domestic and international foundations through the “Dao Empowering
Women” initiative to develop a “Women’s Empowerment Program.” This program offers
sewing skills training to vulnerable women, enabling them to generate income by producing
handmade corporate gifts such as fabric bags and shirts. Similarly, Seed to Sustain Co., Ltd.
(also registered as a non–profit–sharing social enterprise) uses its SE status to attract
research-based funding to support health-related product development and food

innovation. Siam Able Innovation Co., Ltd., as previously mentioned, secured research
support through collaborations with top academic institutions to develop assistive
technologies. These partnerships have included institutions such as Rajamangala University
of Technology Suvarnabhumi (Suphanburi Campus), Suphanburi Technical College, and King

191