Sustainable Development and Industry in Thailand

Abstract

This article presented the interconnections between Sustainable Development Goals and government policies related to the industrial sector in Thailand. As a signatory member of the 2030 Sustainable Development Agenda, Thailand implemented these goals through the 20-Year National Strategy, which served as a framework for sustainable national development based on good governance principles and the Sufficiency Economy Philosophy. Thailand's industrial sector underwent transformation from traditional export-oriented manufacturing to Industry 4.0 driven by technology and innovation. This transition aligned with Sustainable Development Goal 9, sustainable industry, and Sustainable Development Goal 12, sustainable production and consumption. This development was driven by the BCG Economy model, the integration of Bio-economy, Circular economy, and Green economy, covering multiple target industries. The approach emphasized the application of scientific knowledge, technology, and innovation to generate added value from biological resources and culture assets. Through multi-sectoral cooperation, the strategy aimed to enhance production efficiency while considering environmental concerns, promoting income distribution to communities and reducing inequality, which was expected to facilitate the achievement of sustainable development goals and enable Thailand to overcome the middle-income trap.