Page 59 - Social Enterprise A New Business Paradigm for Thailand

trajectory and the conceptual movements that fostered the growth of social enterprises in the
West, the chapter will examine parallel developments in Thailand. It will present the evolution of

local philanthropic practices and the current landscape of social organizations in the country.

2.1 The Evolution of Public-Mindedness in the Western World

In the West, social enterprise emerged from the convergence of two enduring forces: a tradition
of public-mindedness and a growing emphasis on corporate social responsibility (CSR). The roots
of public-mindedness lie in religious teachings that shaped social norms for centuries. Christian
institutions, in particular, emphasized love for others through acts of support and welfare. By the

12th century, English churches were already serving as shelters for the poor, and believers were
encouraged to perform good deeds as a path to salvation.

The Protestant Reformation introduced denominations that broke from the Catholic Church.
Protestantism, led by Martin Luther, shifted focus toward creating public benefit in this life, rather
than seeking spiritual reward in the next. When England separated from Catholicism in the 16th
century, church lands were transferred to private ownership, enabling a rising middle class of
landowners and merchants to play a growing role in philanthropy. Their giving increasingly
addressed social problems with a focus on generating tangible benefit “in this world.” (Jamaree

Chiangthong, 2022, in Anan Kanjanapan, 2022)

The Industrial Revolution and the rise of industrial capitalism transformed labor, drawing
agricultural workers into cities and factories. A new urban middle class emerged with better living
conditions, becoming a key driver of civil society. In the UK, early social organizations included
cooperatives, labor unions, and local groups built on shared ideals. Charitable giving remained
centered on religion, poverty, education, and worker welfare.

Between 1905 and 1906, the Bloomsbury Group formed as a circle of upper-class intellectuals
who exchanged ideas across disciplines. Members such as John Maynard Keynes, Virginia Woolf,
and E. M. Forster fostered dialogue spanning literature, economics, and critical theory. Though

the group disbanded in the early 1930s, its influence endured, shaping progressive thought on
human rights, including gender identity, feminism, and pacifism. These developments helped
broaden the understanding of social inclusion and laid the groundwork for a stronger, more open
civil society. (Jamaree Chiangthong, 2022)

2.1.1 Philanthropy
The emergence of modern philanthropy can be traced to the rise of large-scale social
organizations, particularly through the example of George Peabody. An American banker who
built his fortune through trade and later relocated to London, Peabody established the Peabody
Donation Fund in 1862, now known as the Peabody Trust, to provide housing for the poor in

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