Suleeporn Bunbongkarn Choopavang
The Chaipattana Foundation
After World War II, most developing countries followed growth oriented economic policies. Due to rapid industrialization and economic development, various problems, including income gaps, as well as environmental degradation and poverty, have become more severe. Thailand also followed the path of modernization with a growth led approach being adopted since the first National Economic and Social Development Plan (1961-1966) that allowed industrialization to dominate the country’s development. However, such development has resulted in many economic, social and environment problems. Since it was obvious that the growth oriented pattern of development was not the ultimate answer, there have been several attempts to find alternative development approaches from around the world. The Gross National Happiness (GNH), originated by the King of Bhutan, serves as a good example of an attempt to respond to this issue. The concept has inspired many countries whose interest is to go beyond material development represented by Gross Domestic Product (GDP).
His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej of Thailand has been concerned with developing a more balanced approach to development. On his coronation day, His Majesty promised that he would reign for the benefit and happiness of the Thai people. His intention to reign over the country with righteousness is no different from the concept of good governance. Instead of using his power to command, His Majesty prefers exercising his right to counsel in order to bring forth peace, harmony and happiness to his people. His Majesty’s efforts to generate happiness are also an effort to look after his nation and the elements that compose the nation – the people, the economy and the nation’s natural resources. The development works of His Majesty cover all of these aspects geared towards universal dimensions of sustainable development.
Through an alternative development paradigm, it is believed that sustainable development and sustainable happiness should be intertwined. Hence, His Majesty, throughout his righteous reign, has been working tirelessly for the happiness of his people. When these two concepts become two sides of the same coin, equitable and balanced growth can be pursued and a sustainable state of development, as well as well-being, will eventually be achieved.
(Presented in the 2015 Chulalongkorn Asian Heritage Forum: Understanding Happiness, 16-17 July 2015, Le Meridien Bangkok Hotel, Bangkok, organized by Institute of Thai Studies and Faculty of Arts, Chulalongkorn University)