Berkley Center

Development and globalization in Thailand has focused on rapid industrialization and urbanization. Large-scale infrastructure projects have dominated the scene. The goal of these efforts has been to ensure rapid economic growth and to solidify Thailand's position in the global market. Economic superiority is the highest aspiration. In order to achieve this goal, development strategies have pushed for the adoption of new agriculture techniques, increased access to services such as electricity and medicine, improved communication and transportation across the country, and the promotion of economic wealth. Globalization has been welcomed as a means to increase opportunity, investment, and economic growth.

Construction of dams has been one of the dominant enterprises in Thai development. There are two goals of the dams: to provide water for irrigation and to generate electricity. Despite these admirable intentions, most dams have failed and have actually resulted in a decline of the overall livelihood and well-being of nearby communities. The Pak Mun Dam is one of the best examples of a failed development initiative. Over 25,000 people lost their source of livelihood, work, and food as the dam obstructed fish migration, destroyed the stability of the ecosystem, and obliterated the surrounding environment. Pak Mun was intended to provide electricity for a large region of northeastern Thailand, but a report by the World Commission on Dams has proven that the dam barely generates a fourth of the predicted electricity output. Irrigation provided by the dam is incredibly expensive, and most nearby farmers choose to use rainwater. The Pak Mun Dam is ineffective.

The constant push toward economic growth without consideration for the cultural, social, and environmental implications has cast a shadow of negativity and doubt over the development sector. Although the benefits of economic growth are significant, blindly pushing toward such an ideal without consideration for the social, cultural, and environmental impacts is a serious error that must be thoroughly analyzed and deterred.

Buddhism provides a strong critique of current development practice and globalization. The ultimate goal of Buddhism is the elimination of greed, delusion, and hate. It is clear that greed has become ingrained within the economic goals and culture of Thailand. Although per capita income has increased, the gap between the income of rich and poor has also enlarged. There is a vast inequality in the distribution of wealth. In an ideal society, wealth would be distributed evenly across the population. The gap between rich and poor would not be as skewed. Greed is implicit in Thailand’s focus on economic success. Although the majority of the population of Thailand practices Buddhism, it appears that the ideals articulated by Buddhism have not merged into the daily practices and economic ambitions of the country.

The economic aspirations of both the Thai government and people are in direct opposition to Buddhist beliefs. Buddhism emphasizes that society should be content with a simple way of life that is not engulfed by competitiveness and selfishness. The urge to attain economic growth encourages greed, selfishness, and competitiveness. Money-based goals do not breed compassion and respect for humanity, which are essential to Buddhist teachings. The structure of the current global economic ideology places man against man in the race for financial supremacy. The push toward wealth and financial improvement has resulted in a loss of community solidarity and a destruction of family structures throughout Thailand. Globalization and development strategies set up an environment that breeds selfishness. This individualist spirit is in direct contradiction to Buddhist morals, which promote the recognition of the connection between all people—a shared humanity. Without maintaining this sense of commonality and empathy, Thai society and culture will continue to deteriorate in the name of economic growth.

In order to reconcile development, globalization, and Buddhist morals, it is necessary to shift the goals of Thailand to include not only economic success, but also social, cultural, and environmental sustainability. Effort must be made to look at the entire well-being of a region and to address all aspects of a society when creating a development strategy. The local culture, environment, and livelihoods of the people must be protected at all costs. Essentially, Buddhist morals relating to respect for humanity and contentment must be integrated into development practice and globalization. Actions should not be taken with the sole objective of economic expansion, but should include the higher aspiration of equality, compassion, and empowerment of the poor. Rather than income-oriented goals, Thai society should shift its mindset and adopt human-oriented goals. The intention is crucial. Wealth earned simply for the accumulation of more wealth or for the satiation of the ego is immoral and promotes greed; however, it can be a noble endeavor if used for the improvement of society and culture by addressing issues of inequality and injustice. Wealth should be used to promote equality and sustainability based on the needs articulated by those who understand the negative impacts of development and globalization most: the poor. If development practice and globalization in Thailand can find this balance, then the harmful, unforeseen consequences of development strategies can be prevented, and sustainable, successful development can occur.