Page 84 - Social Enterprise A New Business Paradigm for Thailand

sector organizations that deliver social services. Despite their differences, the CSR trajectories of
both regions operate under the same set of international standards, share similar goals, and

increasingly focus on using business mechanisms to generate outcomes that are both effective
and sustainable.
In Thailand, the evolution from civic-mindedness to social enterprise has unfolded gradually over
the course of nearly a century. Thai society ranks among the world’s leaders in willingness to give,
particularly in financial terms, though volunteerism remains less prevalent. Most donation flows
continue to support traditional institutions or take the form of reciprocal giving. The majority of
nonprofit private organizations’ income remains concentrated in organizations focused on social
welfare. Yet religious institutions still command significant public faith, as reflected in the sheer
volume of donations received by temples, often in the form of merit-making or charitable giving.

However, there is a growing trend among younger generations participating in social activities.
They increasingly favor new forms of giving, such as online social fundraising platforms. Although
innovative social enterprises and mechanisms for public investment in social ventures have begun
to emerge and enable greater public involvement, they still represent only a small portion of the
overall resources available, particularly when compared to the vast capital held by large
corporations. The role of such corporate resources in fostering the growth of social enterprises in
Thailand will be explored further in Chapter 9.

51