28 May, 2020

Thai Prime Minister, Foreign Minister flag importance of balance in “Build Back Better” strategy

Imtiaz Muqbil

Bangkok – Two of Thailand’s top leaders have reaffirmed the importance of balance and the Sufficiency Economy Philosophy in charting the future course of national development, with tourism playing a major role.

Thai Prime Minister Gen (retd) Prayut Chan-o-cha reaffirmed this in two speeches to local and international audiences on May 21 and May 26, while Thai Foreign Minister Don Pramudwinai made the same assertions in a speech to a UN Forum on Sustainable Development on May 20.

Prime Minister Gen Prayut Chan-o-cha

Foreign Minister Don Pramudwinai

Framed within the national theme of Building Back Better, both speeches gave a panoramic perspective of the approach being adopted to help Thailand and its vital tourism industry emerge from the Covid-19 pandemic by avoiding haste-makes-waste decisions and prioritising long-term gain.

The Prime Minister’s May 26 speech was particularly important. In one of his almost daily briefings, which are televised live, he was delivering a specific report on the outcome of his personal meetings with nine major business associations between 30 April – 10 May. Their combined economic clout was estimated at 70% of national GDP.

The choice of these associations itself reflected a balanced approach. He explained why he reached out to both white-collar CEO and grassroots business groups thus: “I particularly wanted to see the ones I never had a chance to meet personally, especially those representing smaller sized business operations, because I know that they are among those that are really suffering a lot. I wanted to visit them because I wanted to hear at first hand, directly from the people experiencing the difficulties.”

Significantly, two of the associations were from the travel industry. (Read about them in Travel Impact Newswire reports by clicking here and here.) The PM made clear that tourism recovery was a priority because of both its national importance as well as the impact. He recognised the calls for borders to be reopened soon, but pointed out that it was a “delicate balance”.

He said, “The thing we must all be very careful about is that if we open up to foreign travelers too quickly, and they bring the virus into our country, we will all have to go back into a lockdown and that will be catastrophic for everyone.”

At the same time, he told the 76th Session of the UN Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific on May 21, that too much tourism can also have a downside, and maintaining a balance was the key.

“Restrictions of travel and tourism including closure of national parks, seas and beaches have provided space for the environment to recuperate. It is now more evident than ever that human activities have greatly contributed to nature’s imbalance and its degradation. As we embark on our recovery from this crisis, we must bear in mind the importance of maintaining balance among economic, social, environmental, and development activities with a view to reviving nature and ensuring a balanced and sustainable ecosystem.”

The Thai Foreign Minister reiterated the same message in his May 20 speech to the UN forum on Sustainable Development, noting: “Thailand is convinced that the post-Covid world will emerge through drastic transformative change. To overcome this crisis, we have to use this as the impetus to “Build Back Better” to realise the SDGs by 2030. This means a change in mindsets and ways of working to prioritise human-centred pathways to achieve the SDGs.”

He also mentioned the word ‘resilience’ but noted it could only come with sustainability and was “needed to protect us against future shocks and crises.”

The three speeches provide a good context for Travel & Tourism industry globally to initiate changes in mindsets and ways of working. They are reproduced here in full:

The Covid crisis that we are confronting is a twin crisis: a crisis of health, and a crisis of personal incomes. On the health side, we have been successfully in bringing the virus under control must faster and more effectively than many other countries in the world.

I am very proud of the many people in the health sector and other sectors who have all collaborated to make this success possible: doctors, nurses, staff in health centres and other facilities, village volunteers nationwide, and cleaning staff who are diligently disinfecting public areas.

This result is something that every Thai can be proud about. We are now looking at an even bigger crisis on the horizon – and that is the crisis hitting people’s incomes. As a part of this, during the last couple of weeks, I have been personally going to see a number of business associations in their offices.

I particularly wanted to see the ones I never had a chance to meet personally, especially those representing smaller sized business operations, because I know that they are among those that are really suffering a lot. I wanted to visit them because I wanted to hear at first hand, directly from the people experiencing the difficulties.

I asked them to share with me the situation of their members and their thoughts and recommendations with regards to their various sectors.

My purpose is to find quick, short-term ways in which we can soften the impact of the Covid crisis on the incomes of their members.

I got some very useful ideas. It was encouraging for me to see that there are so many talented people; they are very clear about their sector and what needs to be done.

Even more important, they were people who deeply cared for their country: they did not just ‘ask’ for things, but proposed things that were for the good of the nation, beyond just their sector, in a spirit of national unity.

I would like to thank each and every one of them again for their preparations and for sharing with me their thoughts.

I know that behind every one person that I met, there were probably many others helping to prepare those ideas, and although I may not have met them all because of social distancing requirements, I want them to know that they have made important contributions to the country, and that I appreciate their contributions.

Today, I want to share with you some of the things that I have already put into implementation, or have already decided to put into action as a result of the meetings with the representatives of those associations.

1. First off, I have instructed that there must be a quota from all budgeted state procurements allocated to the purchase of local products from small, medium, and micro sized businesses. This will apply to quality products that are properly certified and registered and will be done in a way that is consistent with WTO regulations and I hope it will mean SMEs and Micro businesses can gain additional income for their businesses.

To make sure this happens, I am expecting to see a report by the end of the year from the relevant government agencies that they have fulfilled this requirement. SMEs account for the employment of more than 14 million people and they play a very important part in our economy. While the state will do its part to help SMEs, I would also like to call on large business owners to help support local SMEs, too, when they make buying decisions.

2. Also, from these meetings, the shopping venues around Thailand informed me that they wanted to open up as soon as possible and they shared with me the very rigorous health precautions that they have put into place to prevent the spread of viruses. As a result of their assurances many shopping centres and malls were opened just over a week ago and I thank them for the seriousness with which they put into place hygiene precautions.

3. The travel and tourism sector made very clear their desire to quickly open up the country to tourists. I want to let them know that I hear them clearly and will do so as soon as I am fully comfortable that the risks are at a reasonable level. The thing we must all be very careful about is that if we open up to foreign travelers too quickly, and they bring the virus into our country, we will all have to go back into a lockdown and that will be catastrophic for everyone. It is a delicate balance, but I want everyone to know that the millions of people working in the tourism sector are very much at the top of my mind.

4. As a result of these meetings, I have also instructed that government agencies must all be encouraged to use their meeting budgets with hotel and other venues when they are organizing large meetings. I hope this can put additional income into this very hard-hit sector. In particular, I would like to tell all government agencies that they must use officially registered hotels and meeting venues and those with good hygiene precautions.

5. Also, as a part of my direct meetings with these various associations, I was informed that the staff in some sectors were not receiving social security benefits if they closed voluntarily. This was something that needed to be fixed immediately, I and am pleased to inform you that it has already been fixed.

6. In discussions with agriculturalists, they were particularly concerned with the very serious water shortage situation. I have already instructed that we must look for some quick-fix solutions to these problems and I am pleased to inform you that through the good cooperation of agriculturalists we are working on some plans that should be ready soon and I will inform you more about this later when they complete their report to me.

7. I also met with the Fisheries Association leadership and they shared with me some important information for longer-term solutions to their problems. They let me know how some rules and regulations under which they operate are very impractical in real world situations, and I agree with quite a number of them. I will look into these points. Because of the complexity of the issues, however, as a first step of progress, I am going to set up a team to look into solutions and report directly to me. Most importantly, I am going to invite representatives from the several fisheries associations to be a part of the teams finding solutions and ensure that they sit together with the representatives of government agencies so that the voices of fishermen can be heard and practical, workable solutions can be developed and proposed for me to review.

These are just some of the things I have already decided on and instructed for action in the proper way.

There are quite a few other suggestions that I have heard and which I have strongly endorsed for implementation but which must still go through some procedural reviews. I will report to you as we progress.

In closing, I would like to say that I met some very impressive people during these sessions and I want to thank them all for being such great members of Team Thailand. I especially want to thank them for not only caring about their sector but also caring about our country as a whole. It is this spirit of Thai-ness and one-ness that will move our country forward.

Remarks by Prime Minister Gen Prayut Chan-o-cha at the Opening of the 76th Session of the UN Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific, 21 May 2020

Unofficial Translation

Mr. Chairman, Madam Executive Secretary of the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific, Distinguished Guests,

1. It is my great pleasure to deliver these opening remarks at this 76th Session of the Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (UNESCAP) which is being held via videoconference for the first time. Never in our recent history have we faced a major challenge such as the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. This pandemic is going to bring about drastic changes to our economies and societies, and will force us to adapt and change our way of life. We can no longer return to a “Business as usual” mode and must be prepared to embrace the “New Normal”.

2. I wish to take this opportunity to commend and extend support to every country in surmounting this crisis. Thailand is fully committed to controlling and responding to the spread of COVID-19 in the most effective manner. The Royal Thai Government has undertaken upstream, midstream and downstream measures, including screening and restriction of international travel and the campaign “Stay Home, Stop the Disease, for the Nation”.

We have ensured adequate medical services, supplies and equipment; provision of accurate and transparent information to the public; as well as the promotion of community participation, including through the more than one million village health volunteers nationwide. Medical treatment for both Thai and non-Thai patients residing in Thailand along with remedial measures to alleviate social and economic effects have also been provided. The Royal Thai Government is confident that we can contain the outbreak, but we will remain vigilant while taking a step-by-step approach to ensure that we do not see a second wave of outbreak.

3. While we practice social distancing, we do not only keep a distance from one another but also from the environment and natural resources. Restrictions of travel and tourism including closure of national parks, seas and beaches have provided space for the environment to recuperate. It is now more evident than ever that human activities have greatly contributed to nature’s imbalance and its degradation. As we embark on our recovery from this crisis, we must bear in mind the importance of maintaining balance among economic, social, environmental, and development activities with a view to reviving nature and ensuring a balanced and sustainable ecosystem.

4. The theme topic of this Commission Session underscores the importance of the conservation and sustainable use of oceans and seas which is of significance to Thailand. Last year, as Chair of ASEAN, Thailand joined the advocacy among ASEAN Member States for the adoption of the “Bangkok Declaration on Combating Marine Debris in the ASEAN region” which emphasizes enhanced cooperation to prevent, reduce, and manage marine debris by supporting innovation, enhancing research capability, applying scientific knowledge as well as promoting inclusive participation of all relevant sectors. Therefore, I hope to be able to carry forward cooperation on this matter with ESCAP and its members. At the same time, the apparent restoration of nature that I referred to as we implemented measures to combat COVID-19, in particular the reappearance of various wildlife and marine species, should give all of us impetus to be more environmentally conscious as we move forward.

5. The COVID-19 crisis has gravely impacted national and global economies. It will also affect our endeavours to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals or SDGs. However, in every crisis lies an opportunity. I would like to encourage all of us to rethink and find new and sustainable ways to advance cooperation in various areas such as food and energy security, public health, environment, employment, as well as digital and supply chain connectivity, the facilitation of transport of goods and logistics and people-to-people connectivity. In addition, utilizing the full potential of the digital economy will help mitigate economic impacts and disruptions to the supply chain, especially for essential goods, medicines and medical equipment caused by the pandemic.

6. The Sufficiency Economy Philosophy (SEP), Thailand’s path to achieving sustainable development, underlines the balance between economic, social and environmental development. SEP emphasizes a people-centered approach to development that leaves no one behind, which entails grassroots empowerment and returning opportunities to the people, particularly to the vulnerable. When individuals and communities are empowered, the society and country will be resilient and continue to grow, immune to future challenges.

7. In our efforts to build back better, Thailand stresses the importance of supporting local economies, digital development and the promotion of the agricultural sector by ensuring food security, strengthening community businesses and fostering sustainability of grassroots economies. Bio Circular Green Economy or BCG is a business model that will help promote sustainable growth that is environmentally-friendly and inclusive.

8. This year marks the 75th year since the establishment of the United Nations, and the COVID-19 pandemic has posed a litmus test to multilateralism. In ensuring their continued relevance, the United Nations and the multilateral system need to evolve to better reflect the interests of Member States. We must cooperate, listen and exchange more knowledge with one another. As the main regional forum, ESCAP plays a vital role as a platform for the exchanges of experiences and best practices among countries. COVID-19 has clearly demonstrated that the effects of crises do not respect boundaries. We must, therefore, assist one another. Otherwise, we will all fail and will be defeated by this pandemic. The recent Special ASEAN Summit on COVID-19 has demonstrated common political will and resolve of the ASEAN Member States to address this critical issue.

9. As we build back better, we must stand firm and united in our pursuit for sustainability. In moving forward together, we must survive today. Tomorrow, we must become stronger. We must leave no one behind as we advance towards the goals ahead. The clock is ticking for the remaining decade of action and delivery to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals. We must, therefore, accelerate our collective efforts to build back better, drawing upon lessons learned and intensify cooperation in order to pass on a sustainable world to our future generations.

Thank you.

Remarks by Mr. Don Pramudwinai, Minister of Foreign Affairs, at the Opening of the 7th Asia-Pacific Forum on Sustainable Development on the theme of “Accelerating action on and delivery of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development in Asia and the Pacific”, 20 May 2020

Mr. Chairman, Excellencies, Executive Secretary Alisjahbana, Distinguished Delegates,

1. On behalf of the Royal Thai Government, it is an honour for me to address Member States and participants of the 7th Session of the Asia-Pacific Forum on Sustainable Development (APFSD).

2. Thailand commends the efforts of the Executive Secretary and the ESCAP team in organising the virtual consultations and this 7th APFSD within the current restrictions.

3. This year’s APFSD is of particular importance as we embark upon the final Decade of Action on the 2030 Agenda and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) amidst the COVID-19 pandemic.

Mr. Chairman,

4. COVID-19 is a direct and pressing challenge to most of the SDGs. It is more than just a global public health emergency. It is an unprecedented challenge facing humanity and human security.

5. And it will require cooperation from all countries, sectors, and stakeholders at every level. Everyone has a part to play.

6. COVID-19 is a direct threat to both human health and health systems. We could perhaps have responded more effectively to this crisis had we invested more in our health systems. Among other things, this means ensuring access to health care for all, including the most vulnerable and marginalised. Universal Health Coverage (UHC), including financial risk protection, access to quality healthcare services and safe, effective, and affordable essential medicines and vaccines for all, can play a vital role here.

7. But COVID-19 also exposes our economic and social weaknesses. We have seen a rise in inequalities, from impacts on employment, pay and social protection to access to healthcare and other basic services. We must ensure that, in this fight, we leave no one behind.

8. Thailand is convinced that the post-Covid world will emerge through drastic transformative change. To overcome this crisis, we have to use this as the impetus to “Build Back Better” to realise the SDGs by 2030. This means a change in mindsets and ways of working to prioritise human-centred pathways to achieve the SDGs.

9. I wish to elaborate on three ways we can harness this transformative change.

10. Firstly, COVID-19 has highlighted the need to shift to a more sustainable development path for our own wellbeing and our environment.

11. There is no one-size-fits-all model. But innovative homegrown development thinking and approaches can help to smooth this transition to more sustainable paths.

12. Thailand’s Sufficiency Economy Philosophy (SEP) – emphasizing moderation, reasonableness and resilience to external shocks – is of great relevance at this difficult time.

13. The SEP provides guidelines for inclusive, balanced and sustainable development in all areas. It also focuses on people, hence, those vulnerable will be a priority in Thailand’s way forward. We believe that it can also offer solutions for some of our friends.

14. Secondly, Science, Technology and Innovation (STI) are vital in fighting the COVID-19 pandemic. STI and the “new normal” of social distancing will accelerate digitalisation as the key to bringing about global progress on the SDGs. This needs to happen in tandem with the effective sharing and transfer of knowledge and technology through such frameworks as South-South and trilateral cooperation. Research and Development on vaccines and diagnostics to fight COVID-19 will be crucial. We must also strive to promote innovative solutions to the most challenging phase of development challenges.

15. STI is also key to enhanced food security, which is vital during this time of crisis. Guided by the Sufficiency Economy Philosophy, Thailand aims to accomplish all four dimensions of food security, namely, food availability, food accessibility, food utilisation and food stability, as well as to reduce food waste in the supply chain. We will also share what we have with others, especially those most in need.

16. Promoting STI is also a crucial means of addressing the complex issues related to the environment.

17. Therefore, the time is now right for ESCAP member States to consider a digital revolution, including by enhancing scientific collaboration in our region through science diplomacy.

18. However, bringing about this digital revolution will also require us to bridge the digital divide. Over half of the world’s population still lacks the digital tools to transform their lives. Any effort to utilise STI to accelerate implementation of the SDGs must therefore also be coupled with outreach efforts to bridge digital gaps. Accelerating SDGs implementation through technology must begin by giving ordinary people the tools to do so.

19. Thirdly, it is more important now than ever that we mobilise “everyone, everywhere” in our endeavour to build back better and accelerate implementation of the SDGs.

20. Volunteerism is a powerful force and, therefore, should be one way forward. It helps to expand and mobilise stakeholders’ engagement, connects national initiatives with actions at the local level as well as enables and empowers people to participate in their own development. Volunteerism includes all groups, youth, older persons, women, migrants, or persons with disabilities.

21. As a case in point, Thailand’s COVID-19 response has been supported by more than one million village health volunteers nationwide and an additional 15,000 public health volunteers in Bangkok. They have been working on the frontline, often at great risk to themselves, by helping to disseminate knowledge and conducting house-to-house visits to monitor the health of community residents, including migrants. This is just but one example of the transformative potential of volunteerism.

22. Meanwhile, as women constitute half of the world’s population, we need to empower women and girls, while ensuring that they are not subject to discrimination and violence in any circumstance. Women will thus be assured their place as a key stakeholder and transformative force in SDGs implementation.

23. As we gradually move to reopen communities and rebuild our economies, we have a great opportunity to turn this crisis into an opportunity to come together and renew our common resolve to accelerate actions to achieve the 2030 Development Agenda.

24. The direction is already clear – that we need to move towards becoming more sustainable socially, environmentally and economically. And with sustainability comes resilience, which is needed to protect us against future shocks and crises.

25. So let us pursue partnerships at all levels to ensure our effective recovery from COVID-19. COVID does not discriminate against anyone and we all are affected. Let us share experiences in containing the outbreak, addressing socio-economic impacts, and reviving our countries. The countries of the Asia-Pacific have much to contribute to, and to learn from, one another. We are in this together, and the new, sustainable and compassionate, prosperous and resilient world requires our common efforts.

26. Starting from today, we will build back better together. Thank you.