We must shape our economic future ourselves

We must shape our economic future ourselves.

Siam Rath Editorial : In economics we cannot take the middle path, or follow other countries' development models. We have to adopt our own economic policy based on our strengths and weaknesses and the resources available in our country.

For several decades Thailand has followed the path taken by developed East Asian countries led by Japan.

Only China has developed its own economic strategy which was controlled by the Communist Party.

Relying on locally-made products, China has been able to survive Western powers' attempts to contain its rise.

Subsequent economic reform led to the country's current economic supremacy.

The East Asian economic model has helped develop our country, but it came at the expense of our natural resources.

Material wealth may not be such a good thing if we count the cost of environmental degradation and human misery brought about by an uneven distribution of income.

We have to build our own future based on sufficiency economy and sustainable development.

We must not be afraid to change course if the beaten path will lead us to ruin.

Our country is rich in natural resources, which can be used to better the lives of our people. The government must start building the foundation for sustainable development through sufficiency economy.

It's our own future and we must shape it ourselves.

Bangkok Post
Friday January 12, 2007