Page 24 - Social Enterprise A New Business Paradigm for Thailand

held in collaboration with trade fairs organized by the Ministry of Commerce, or
alongside the annual conference of the Municipal League of Thailand.

3) The Ministry of Finance to take a more active role

• Reviewing the performance of the existing fund governed by law to activate the social
enterprise fund, including exploring the use of dormant assets such as unclaimed bank
deposits, insurance reserves, and scattered private-sector funds. These assets could
serve as initial capital for the fund, which would support goods and services that serve
limited or non-existent markets. Examples include: microinsurance products for
motorcycle taxi drivers and delivery riders, crowdfunding platforms for disaster-
affected individuals to support agile private rescue teams, and online marketplaces for

art, recycled goods, and products made by the elderly or persons with disabilities.
• Co-investing with private associations and sectors, such as industrial groups
supporting climate-related startups, the banking association for household debt relief
startups, or the Thai Life Assurance Association for road safety innovations. The private
sector would manage these initiatives.
• Encouraging the private sector to fully utilize the 2% tax deduction from profits for
social activities. An additional 2% deduction should be granted to companies that
procure from social enterprises not affiliated with them or allow staff to spend up to
one day per month mentoring social enterprises.

4) Mandate annual procurement quotas for social enterprises across government agencies
The government should require that all public agencies, including ministries and
departments at various levels, allocate no less than 2% of their annual budgets for
procurement from social enterprises. These procurement activities should be publicly
disclosed through transparent reporting.

In doing so, the state may reduce or eliminate support for certain ongoing activities,
shifting those responsibilities to social enterprises. Examples include:

• Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives: For highly developed agricultural areas or

regions with capable farmers, social enterprises can be tasked with promoting smart
farming initiatives, such as operating agricultural platforms that deliver knowledge,
weather forecasts, and related services.
• Ministry of Education: The curriculum should incorporate social enterprise education
at the high school and vocational levels. The ministry should also allocate funds to
support ongoing social enterprise projects within schools, enabling practical, hands-
on experience.

• Ministry of Social Development and Human Security: Social enterprises can play a
leading role in rehabilitating vulnerable populations and developing urban slums. This

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