Page 323 - Social Enterprise A New Business Paradigm for Thailand

managing non-recyclable waste, and the Tang Ton Dee Training School, established by the
Thailand Institute of Justice, provides modern skills training to formerly incarcerated youth
to help them avoid reoffending and build new careers in the digital age.

▪ Alignment between social and business goals. Successful social enterprises often integrate
their social objectives with their business models in a way that reinforces both missions.
This enables them to drive social impact while maintaining financial sustainability. For
instance, Siam Able Innovation (Social Enterprise) Co., Ltd., was founded by an individual
who became paralyzed from the neck down. Noting the lack of proper mobility equipment
in hospitals, he worked with hospital staff to design appropriate devices, eventually winning
an ASEAN award and receiving 2 million baht in seed funding. The company now operates
repair centers in 20 provinces, with four of its staff being persons with disabilities. Its strong
mission has attracted support from organizations such as the Expressway Authority of
Thailand and Bumrungrad Hospital. Similarly, Dekphiset Social Enterprise Co., Ltd. was

created by a group of parents of autistic children in Phang Nga Province who sought to
establish a safe, empowering environment for their children and others. Their system
enables special-needs youth to become self-reliant, even after their caregivers are gone,
through the “AVAUTIS Community” model. Dao Ethical Gifts Co., Ltd. is another example,
helping underprivileged women in local communities develop sewing and embroidery skills
to become skilled workers and earn supplemental income for their families.

4) Effective Marketing, Communication, and Network Building
Marketing is essential for all enterprises, whether profit-driven or socially motivated. This study

found that effective marketing not only contributes to revenue and brand image but also
enhances an organization’s ability to capture and share social value with the broader
community. A compelling example is Dekphiset Social Enterprise Co., Ltd., which achieved
financial sustainability by integrating a strong social mission into a viable business model. By
developing market-responsive products that autistic children could help produce, and
leveraging a network of strategic partners, the company addressed broader societal challenges
in autism care. This approach has emerged as a model for addressing issues faced by children

with special needs in Thailand. Its branding also reflects this mission: the name “AVAUTIS”
stands for “a breath for special children,” signaling the company’s commitment to social impact.
With a clearly defined social mission, the company built a strong network of partners and
secured support from various stakeholders. This network received research grants from the
National Research Council of Thailand (NRCT), which helped launch its product development
efforts. Collaborations with academic institutions provided knowledge and technological input,
while public and private sector partners offered marketing channels, technical assistance, and
procurement support. This ecosystem of backing enabled the enterprise to scale and grow
sustainably.

The company initially experimented with a wide variety of products, ranging from chili pastes
to dishwashing liquids, and went through many rounds of trial and error. Eventually, it shifted

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