Page 34 - Social Enterprise A New Business Paradigm for Thailand

Chapter 1
Objectives, Theories, and Research Methodology

1.1 Introduction

Thailand was once predicted to become the fifth tiger economy of Asia. However, it failed to
realize that expectation due to persistent social and political instability, coupled with a series of
economic crises that caused stagnation lasting more than a decade. One of the key contributing
factors was the absence of grassroots-level innovation, both technological and social. Natural
resources were exploited without restraint, leading to their rapid depletion. At the same time,
the environment suffered severe degradation, with escalating pollution levels in water and air,

along with rising volumes of industrial and consumer waste contaminating soil, rivers, and coastal
areas.

Concurrently, Thailand transitioned into an aging society. This shift saw its population grow old
before achieving widespread prosperity. As a result, older citizens now require innovations that
can help extend their productive years and improve quality of life in stable and sustainable ways.
Moreover, the country's current social and economic structures have entrenched deep inequality,
leaving vast portions of the population without access to state welfare. To address these systemic
challenges, Thailand must embrace new ideas and support innovative social tools and

mechanisms that can supplement and reinforce traditional state-driven development efforts.

Social business has emerged as a promising form of social innovation, one that offers a compelling
alternative to traditional approaches. These organizations pursue social missions by leveraging
business and market mechanisms. These mechanisms are generally considered more efficient and
financially sustainable than conventional non-profit models like foundations. Social businesses
often serve marginalized and vulnerable groups who lack access to mainstream development
opportunities and state welfare systems. Driven by their social objectives, these businesses often
adopt approaches that differ from those used by government agencies. They develop new

strategies to empower underserved populations and help them achieve self-reliance. When
operating at the community level, social businesses also help build social capital, strengthen
solidarity, and mobilize local resources to their fullest potential. They often promote diversity and
deliberately support individuals and groups who have been left behind.

One striking example comes from research conducted under the Thai 4.0 initiative that was
supported by the National Research Council of Thailand (NRCT). During the COVID-19 pandemic,
non-profit private organizations played a crucial role in helping slum communities and vulnerable
populations gain broader access to government healthcare services (Nongyao Kasetpiban, 2023).

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