Landscape study of inclusive business in agrifood systems in Thailand

This landscape study of inclusive business models in the agriculture and food systems in Thailand examines opportunities for businesses in these sectors to address the critical needs of low-income farmer while, at the same time, making a profit. The study portrays several IB models already operating in Thailand and analyzes the enabling environment in which they operate. Based on this analysis, several recommendations have been put forward for promoting IB models in the agriculture and food sectors in Thailand. Chapter 2 of this study explains the concept of inclusive business in more detail. Chapter 3 highlights business opportunities for enterprises in the food and agriculture sector to address the needs of smallholder farmers in Thailand. Chapter 4 provides an overview of inclusive business in the agriculture and food sector in Thailand, including the opportunities and challenges for growth. Chapter 5 assesses the environment in which these firms operate. Chapter 6 provides strategic recommendations to promote inclusive business in Thailand, and Chapter 7 presents the conclusions of this report. While agriculture and agribusiness in Thailand cover a wide range of activities, this report focuses on farm activities. Other subsectors like fisheries and aquaculture are also critical to the economy, and the livelihood of local fishers and fishing communities can merit exploration in the future

Financial Inclusion, Financial Regulation, and Financial Education in Thailand

This paper addresses the issue of financial inclusion in Thailand through the lens of an institutional analysis, which takes into consideration the desired outcomes, the service providers and enabling agencies, and the regulatory context that shape the existing provision of financial inclusion in Thailand. In discussing the achievement of the desired outcomes in terms of financial inclusion, the issues of financial education and financial regulation, which provide the contexts within which the provision of financial products and services occur, are also addressed. Using survey information and other evidence, the paper identifies the gaps between desired and existing outcomes, the gap in unmet demand for financial products and services, the gap in financial education provision, and the weakness of the existing regulatory institutional setting. The paper concludes with policy recommendations for achieving the desired outcomes in terms of financial inclusion within the context of Thailand

One village one product - Rural development strategy in Asia:The case of OTOP in Thailand

This paper investigates the development of the One Tambon, One Product (OTOP) programme in Thailand, based on the earlier experience of the One Village, One Product (OVOP) movement in Japan. Conceived in Japan as a policy to reverse rural depopulation, it has become more focused on poverty alleviation when implemented in Thailand. It will be shown how, despite some criticisms, the OTOP programme has been providing communities with the chance to market local output and creating employment opportunities. The paper includes a small sample survey of Chiang Mai province's OTOP and an enterprise case study