Remarks by
H.E. Dr. Surakiart Sathirathai
Deputy Prime Minister and Acting Minister of Culture
High-Level Panel on His Majesty the King and Human Development
Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Bangkok
26 May 2006
Your Excellency General Prem Tinsulanonda,
President of the Privy Council and Statesman,
Your Excellency Mr. Kofi Annan, Secretary-General of the
United Nations,
Excellencies, Distinguished Guests,
Ladies and Gentlemen,
Upon the occasion of the Sixtieth Anniversary of His Majesty’s
Accession to the Throne, it is a source of pride and joy
for the entire kingdom that His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej
is the first recipient of the prestigious United Nations
Development Programme’s Human Development Lifetime
Achievement Award. The Government and people of Thailand
are honoured by the official visit of the United Nations
Secretary-General who will personally present this prestigious
award to His Majesty the King this afternoon.
As Deputy Prime Minister in charge of activities in connection
with the
visit of the United Nations Secretary-General to present
the Award to His Majesty, it is my distinct honour and a
privilege to welcome His Excellency General Prem Tinsulanonda,
President of the Privy Council and Statesman, at this august
gathering.
Indeed, few in this land have as intimate knowledge of
His Majesty’s activities in promoting human development
as His Excellency General Prem Tinsulanonda. He will inspire
us with his insights of His Majesty’s thinking, guidance
and teachings on human development. I wish to express our
profound appreciation to Your Excellency for kindly presiding
over the opening ceremony of the High-Level Panel on “His
Majesty the King and Human Development”. We are also
honoured by the presence of Secretary-General Kofi Annan
who will deliver the keynote address at this High-Level
Panel.
As loyal subjects of His Majesty, the Government and people
of Thailand are host to a series of activities throughout
the year to celebrate the auspicious occasion of the Sixtieth
Anniversary of His Majesty’s Accession to the Throne.
The highlight of this year’s celebrations would be
marked by the august presence of the reigning Monarchs of
the friendly countries of Thailand who have consented to
grace our country as guests of the Government and people
of Thailand next month. Indeed, the official visit of the
United Nations Secretary-General and the international tribute
paid to His Majesty serve to reflect the recognition on
the part of the 191 Member States of the United Nations
of His Majesty’s lifetime achievements in advancing
human development in a national, regional, and international
context for which the entire nation is most grateful.
Excellencies,
During the 60 year reign, His Majesty the King has traveled
the length and breadth of the kingdom, familiarizing Himself
thoroughly with the hardships faced by the Thai people in
making a living from the land. No one in this land knows
every inch of this kingdom as well as His Majesty and no
one knows the issues of development at first hand and their
appropriate solutions as well as His Majesty.
His Majesty the King has tirelessly devoted His time and
effort to promoting the welfare of the Thai people, regardless
of their ethnicity, religion, or citizenship. His Majesty’s
commitment and invaluable contribution to human development,
democracy, peace and social harmony, have won the hearts
and minds of the Thai people. His Majesty’s commitment
to advancing human development can be illustrated in the
royal activities and innovations ranging from health care
and education to rural development projects to realize the
fullest potential of the Thai people. His Majesty’s
royal projects have brought benefits to millions of Thai
people across the country.
Through years of observation and experimentation in advancing
development, His Majesty developed the philosophy of “Sufficiency
Economy” to guide the Thai people towards a balanced
way of life. “Sufficiency Economy” is a middle-path
philosophy which we see as an integral part of promoting
human development at the level of individual, families,
communities, and the nation. As a new paradigm of development,
it serves to enhance the capacity of the people to better
meet the challenges arising from globalization and realize
sustainable development.
Guided by His Majesty’s philosophy, the Government
has been applying the concept of people and community-centred
development to the grassroots level. Its application has
helped strengthened the foundations of the economy, particularly
in creating opportunities for jobs and income as well as
in promoting indigenous skills, technology, and local ingenuity.
The recovery and strength of the Thai economy with its social
fabric intact owes much to His Majesty’s philosophy
and the application of this approach.
Excellencies,
His Majesty’s wisdom and contribution to the cause
of development have not only earned respect and admiration
within Thailand, but have gained the recognition of the
international community. When UNCTAD Ten was held in Bangkok
in 2000 and laid down new development strategies for the
new millennium, the Conference paid tribute to His Majesty’s
contribution to the cause of development. Again, when UNCTAD
Ten met for its Mid-term Review Conference in Bangkok in
2002 which I had the honour to chair, the philosophy of
“Sufficiency Economy” was heralded as an effective
approach towards sustainable development.
Many developing countries have sent delegations to study
His Majesty’s royal projects on alternative development,
particularly over the last couple of years. In November
2004, Thailand hosted the Ministerial Conference on Alternative
Development: Sufficiency Economy which was attended by participants
from nineteen countries from three continents, namely Asia,
Africa and South America. The participants were taken to
various on-site study visits and had the privilege of an
audience with His Majesty.
In fact, His Majesty’s rural development projects
have also served as examples for fellow developing countries,
be they in the fields of irrigation, rural development,
crop substitution programme to reduce opium cultivation,
public health, and education. More recently, the royal initiatives
have been usefully applied in international humanitarian
efforts. For example, in Timor-Leste, royal initiatives
were applied in linking peace-keeping operations with sustainable
development. In Afghanistan, the royal projects of alternative
development were applied in reducing opium cultivation to
provide sustainable livelihood to the people in post-conflict
reconstruction.
Excellencies,
In view of His Majesty’s contribution to the cause
for development, it is a source of gratification that the
Royal Thai Government and the United Nations are co-organizing
the High-Level Panel on “His Majesty the King and
Human Development” upon the visit of the United Nations
Secretary-General. In addition, the outside exhibition also
displays His Majesty’s development projects and the
numerous awards bestowed by the United Nations agencies
to His Majesty for the achievements in improving the quality
of life of the people.
The High-Level Panel provides a unique opportunity for
participants to have more insight into the practical application
of His Majesty’s visions and initiatives as well as
to encourage the exchange of views on the sharing of experiences.
We are privileged to have amongst the distinguished panelist
His Excellency Dr. Chirayu Isarangkun Na Ayuthaya, Grand
Chamberlain and Director-General of the Bureau of the Crown
Property. Dr. Chirayu is amongst the very few who can speak
with such authority on His Majesty’s initiatives and
development projects, including the philosophy of “Sufficiency
Economy”. Participants will also benefit from the
presentation of the real-life application of the “Sufficiency
Economy” at the grassroots level.
On the part of the United Nations, the distinguished Regional
Manager of the UNDP will enrich us with the empirical findings
and analysis of Thailand’s promotion of human development
through the application of “Sufficiency Economy”
philosophy, which will be the theme of the UNDP’s
National Human Development Report for Thailand for the year
2007. The Report will serve to disseminate the “Sufficiency
Economy” concept and practices to other countries
for sustainable development, including in attaining the
Millennium Development Goals.
Excellencies, Distinguished guests, Ladies and gentlemen,
With his remark, I have the honour to invite His Excellency
General Prem Tinsulanonda, President of the Privy Council
and Statesman, to deliver his opening address.
