Page 6 - Social Enterprise A New Business Paradigm for Thailand

Abstract

The rise of capitalism has led to a host of issues, driven by its reliance on market mechanisms and
the pursuit of maximum profit. These include inequality, environmental degradation, resource
depletion, and exploitation. In contrast, social enterprises have emerged as a countercurrent to
this dominant trend. Yet thriving as a social enterprise within a capitalist system is no easy task.

It is therefore essential to promote social enterprises as a viable alternative for Thai society.

This study was supported by the National Research Council of Thailand (NRCT) and sets out four
key objectives:

1. To examine successful examples of social enterprises abroad in order to extract lessons on the
factors behind their success and to identify the ecosystems, contexts, and public policies that
foster effective social enterprise development.
2. To study thriving social enterprises in Thailand and develop practical approaches for
supporting their growth, including an in-depth case study of the supply chain in one selected
industry;

3. To explore mechanisms for increasing the number of social enterprises in various forms;
4. To design a research framework and propose policy recommendations aimed at building an
effective ecosystem for agencies involved in advancing social enterprise development.

The scope of this study is intentionally broad, encompassing not only legally registered social
enterprises but also unregistered ventures that share the core aim of addressing social problems.
This inclusive lens allows for a more comprehensive understanding of the sector’s overall
evolution.

The in-depth statistical study primarily focuses on social enterprises registered with the Office of
Social Enterprise Promotion (OSEP) under the Social Enterprise Promotion Act B.E. 2562 (2019).
This law provides official recognition and legal benefits to qualifying enterprises. Social
enterprises in Thailand vary widely. They include both formally registered and unregistered
entities, many of which are actively engaged in addressing social challenges, despite lacking
formal legal status.

The research team reviewed financial statement data, drawn from the Department of Business
Development’s database, for 256 social enterprises over a five-year period (2019–2023).

Additionally, qualitative insights were gathered through interviews with 50 stakeholders,
including social enterprises, mission-driven businesses, and relevant government agencies. A
review of international literature revealed that social enterprises hold significant potential to
generate positive societal impact. In many countries, governments provide tailored support in

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