Siam University, Thailand

Sufficiency economy: The philosophy for life

Siam University announces Sustainable University, Sustainable District policy to develop surrounding communities based on Sufficiency Economy Philosophy (SEP), a unique principle of Thai sustainable development bestowed by the late King Rama IX. We have worked with Lert Suksom Community to promote sufficiency living in “Pleng Manee Cottage” to implement SEP in real life as well as help develop a learning center to utilize and commercialize their main natural resource - Pandan leaves.

During the Covid-19 pandemic, our work on sufficiency living has proved that SEP is truly the main engine that helped the community survive through the crisis. While the cottage has become a provider of food supplies for public, and the community received a lot of interest, we decided to promote it as a learning point for SEP through a sustainable tourism approach. The tourists will experience sufficiency living by participating in integrated agricultural activities under SEP principles, living in homestays, and enjoying the market, which all community members will gain income from. As such, “Pleng Manee Cottage” has become a model for sustainable tourism and a contributor to the community economy and well-being.

Top 3 Learnings

1. We learnt to work in teams within the community.
2. We shared knowledge with the community.
3. Our students can further apply the new knowledge learnt in their own careers.