Title: Implications of the One Tambon One Product policy on sustainable development in Thailand

Author: Devraj Rangsit

Year: 2006

Keywords: N/A

Themes: Development Management, Innovation for Inclusive Development

Advisor(s): Surichai Wun'Gaeo

The full thesis available here.

Abstract: The goals of the One Tambon One Product (OTOP) project under the government of Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra are often linked to Thailand's theory of sustainable development due to its ability to drive three key processes: 1) decentralization of local governance nationwide (at the village, sub-district, and provincial levels), 2) promotion of community participation in local governance and development, and 3) job/income generation within communities. This thesis aims to analyze: 1. The linkage of the OTOP policy to Thailand's theory of sustainable development; and 2. Comparing the differences in operational principles and success indicators between the OTOP policy and the private sector operating under the principles of Fairtrade. The research methodology includes analyzing documents related to project success assessment and interviewing officials from the National Research Council of Thailand and representatives from private sector organizations operating under Fairtrade principles to compare the differences in success assessment and guiding criteria for producers under both projects. The findings indicate that the income generated by the OTOP policy comes from the private sector, or private sector entities registered as community producers. Quantitative indicators of community potential development or equitable income distribution cannot be used as a measure of the policy's success. Using quantitative figures without considering qualitative impacts or fairness in trade (or employment) may reflect a policy that focuses solely on quantitative (economic) outcomes without regard for social or biological impacts, contrary to the principles of sustainable development. Furthermore, it can be concluded that for the project to effectively promote development and income enhancement according to the principles of sustainable development, it may be necessary to clearly categorize participating producers and control their operating conditions. This approach could help transform the One Tambon One Product policy into a tangible solution for community potential development and income generation, contrasting with the current focus on supporting small-scale producers (without categorizing them) and prioritizing sales figures per province without considering the community's impact. The One Tambon One Product (OTOP) policy under the Thaksin government was meant to be an initiator of SD through Thailand's decentralization process, the empowerment of local communities and employment creation and income diversification within local vicinities. The objectives of this thesis are as follows: Firstly, to clarify OTOP's conceptual implication to the notion of Sustainable Development in Thailand. Secondly, to identify the differences between the operating principles of OTOP and the Fair trade movement, and their implication towards the enabling of SD and community empowerment. The methodologies employed are structured interviews of key informants supported with the assessment of data from reports and past evaluation of OTOP as part of the comparative analysis. Informants included staffs from the National Research Council of Thailand and the managerial personnel of a Fair trade organization in Thailand. The findings are: Through the comparative analysis of OTOP's current operating principles with principles employed by the Fair trade organizations, the revenue generated through OTOP, despite of its high volume does not contribute towards the enabling of the policy's stated objectives. Implementation of OTOP lacks the disaggregate differentiation between the various types of producers involved as well as the fact that overwhelming emphasis is given to the volume of trade rather than the quality of trade conducted or the extent of the community learning process enabled. Recommendations: In order for OTOP to be an effective instigator of sustainable economic growth and community empowerment, there is an essential need for the differentiation between the types of producers endorsed. Equally important OTOP's current strategic objective of trade maximization should be replaced with the need for increased emphasis on 'customer education' and 'ethical consumption'.

Title: Local perceptions on the impact of tourism development on Bai culture in Dali old town of Dali Bai autonomous prefecture, Yunnan, China

Author: Cai Li

Year: 2005

Keywords: N/A

Themes: Development Management, Post-development

Advisor(s): Supang Chantavanich

The full thesis available here.

Abstract: This is a study to explore the perception of local individuals on the impact of tourism development on Bai culture in Dali Old Town that is situated in the Dali Autonomous Prefecture, Yunnan Province, China. The objectives of the research are to 1) analyze government tourism promotion and examine main tourism attractions in Dali, Yunnan, China, 2) discuss the major 'traditional' Bai culture in Dali Old Town, and analyze the impact from recent development of tourism, and 3) investigate attitudes/perceptions of local individuals in the Dali Old Town, towards the above-mentioned impact. The study was conducted by interviewing local people in Dali Old Town in June 2005. 40 persons were interviewed in Dali Old Town in June 2005, half of them of Bai ethnicity, and the other half of Han background (the majority Chinese), with different professions such as manager, government staff, nurse, lawyer, public prosecutor, self-employed, farmer, student, housewife, businessman, worker, teacher etc. Dali is the only Bai autonomous prefecture in China and has over one million Bai inhabitants. Following the national and provincial trend of promoting tourism for economic development, since 1982, tourism in Dali has been emphasized as a dominant economic 'generator' by the government. Apart from its natural and historical attractions, good location and pleasant weather, social heritages and a unique Bai culture, and their customs, knowledge, art, habits, and many other aspects of a life style have also been utilized to promote tourism development. Due to its relatively early development in Dali, tourism has had great positive influence such as a better known image of the Dali region, Bai people and the culture, and economic growth at the macro level. Bai cultural revival and promotion has been encouraged. At the same time negative impacts, such as uneven development and the reconstruction of Bai culture partly in unauthentic ways, also appear alongside the positive. Academic arguments on the influence and impact of tourism development are ambivalent, especially when such discussion is focused on a location with an ethnic minority population. According to much research, tourism usually has positive influence on local economic development but largely negative impacts on ethnic culture and their social identities. Interviews with local people, including some Bai ethnicity, indicate that these have quite positive attitudes regarding tourism development in Dali, and are specifically indifferent to the possible loss of indigenous culture. Such indifference, argued in the thesis, is largely attributed to the individual's inclination towards economic gains. This research suggests that academic research and government policy should adopt a more balanced approach to address gaps between academic and grass roots perceptions.