Overview
Philanthropic activities in Thailand have been in existence for centuries in varied forms. Thai society was originally an agricultural society based on mutual help. Further, one of the major aspects of Buddhism, the religion of most people in Thailand, is 'making merit' (tham bun) through a good karma (deed) aimed at good or better life in the future and good or better rebirth in the next life.
Buddhist temples which are situated in communities as the pivotal centers of communal life and activities have had major roles to instil Thai values in helping the poor as illustrated in a famous saying "Make merit, Give alms". The reason behind giving and volunteering in Thailand, therefore, is making 'merits'. Thai people are eager to earn 'merit' by serving religious causes. People in the community take care of others who are weak because in Thai way, doing good to public can gain merit.
The temples, as the lives, the hearts and the souls of the community, used to make collective decisions for the community welfare. The sick and the infirm, the handicapped, the aged, the wearied and the troubled people used to flock to the temples for sustenance, nurturance, comfort and solace. Physiological ailments could be tended to and cared for at the temples. In this traditional context, spirit and solidarity woven around a village community through its temple or religious organizations used to provide a strong basis of giving and volunteering at local level.
Another interesting reason for philanthropic activities in Thailand has been the existence of monarchy and its 'patron-client' relationship with the people. The institution of Monarchy and Thai people have been inseparable for the last seven decades. Thai people are eager to donate to express faith and loyalty to the monarch. A most familiar sight in the television and newspapers is people waiting to see and to give money into the hands of His Majesty, the Queen or members of the royal family.
History
In Thailand, Buddhism, the religion of 95% people, is the source of philanthropy and encourages giving and volunteering for 'merit making'. Traditionally, Buddhist monasteries functioned as centers for intellectual, cultural, recreational and community life. Buddhist temples were health centres for traditional medicine and treatment, refuge for patients with deadly disease, and hostels providing food and lodging to the travellers. People were inspired to donate to appease the monks and earn 'merit'.
In the 13th century Buddhism in Thailand became a syncretised religion of Buddhism, Brahmanism and Animism. Buddhism was integrated in to and merged to become the ruling ideology and as a result penetrated everyday lives of the people. The devaraja (divine king) during the Ayutthaya period (1351-1767) was a divine person with god-like characteristics deserving reverence and highly respected treatment. The monks and priests were also to be respected because they were representatives of divine beings. The people were involved in philanthropic activities because that would show their respect to the monarch and earn them divine 'merits'.
Thai people have a generally homogenous ethnic and religious background. In 1567-8 AD the first Catholic missionary came to Thailand from Portugal, followed by missionaries from Spain and France. During the first two centuries after their arrival, Catholic missionaries did not have any impact on Thai society. Further, since it was never colonised Thai traditional culture of giving and volunteering is still undistorted.
References:
Pongsapich, A. (1996). 'Philanthropy in Thailand', in T. Yamamoto (ed) (1995) Emerging Civil Society in the Asia Pacific Community (Singapore: Japan Center for International Exchange) pp.637-661.
Policy Environment
The 1932 coup d'etat overthrew the absolute monarchy, and the bureaucracy became the main political force in the country dominating the policy arena. Thus until the 1980s the Thai political system had been dominated by civil military bureaucracy. Any concerns or agitation of people asking for a better share of resources and power were seen as signs of communist invasion and were oppressed by brutal force or harsh legal measures. No space for civil society development was available during this period.
In 1981, the Office of the National Economic and Social Development Board (NESDB) consulted with twelve third sector organizations. In 1984, the Thai government launched the Village Development Fund Project by the National Committee for Coordination on Rural Development realising the need for NGO involvement in rural development. Many NGOs assembled in a conference to discuss rural development strategies including GO-NGO coordination that resulted in the formation of a GO-NGO joint committee- a task force of government and NGOs in rural development.
In 1985 NGO-Coordinating Committee on Rural Development (NGO-CORD) was established to promote formation of NGOs, collaboration among NGO activities, coordination of joint activities by two or more NGOs, create public awareness about NGO activities, and to articulate and propose people's visions and plans to the government.
The sixth five-year development plan (1987-1991), clearly stated that the third sector should actively participate in rural development as the government highly appreciates NGO participation in rural development.
In the seventh national development plan (1992-1996), the government included economic/business organizations and philanthropic/social development organizations and recognised their role in the development of human resources, quality of life improvement, and in the conservation of the environment and natural resources.
In the eighth national economic and social development plan (1997-2001), the Thai government has put more emphasis on the role of the third sector in social development. In line with the changing role of third sector organizations, the Thai government has shifted a policy of control to a policy of support.
Most importantly, the 1997 Constitution, Sections 45-47, clearly guarantees the citizen's rights to unite in and form association, farmer groups, NGOs, cooperatives, or unions. Thai people are allowed to do that to "conserve or restore their customs, local knowledge, arts or good culture of their community and of the nation and participate in the management, maintenance, preservation, and exploitation of natural resources and the environment". According to the Constitution, laws related to education, health, and welfare need approval by the committees having NGO membership. The new National Social Policy Committee set up in 1998 is empowered to oversee all issues of social policy has a sub-committee on NGOs.
References:
ICNL website. Segment on Thailand.
Union for Civil Society (1999). 'Understanding Government-NGO Relations in Thailand', in E. Nissan (ed) Promoting Three Basic Freedoms: Towards Greater Freedom of Association, Assembly and Expression in Asia (Bangkok: The Three Freedom Project).
Taxation
The Ministry of Finance grants tax exemption to third sector organizations. To qualify for tax exempt status an organization must be registered with the appropriate government organization for at least three years, have its books endorsed by a certified accountant, and submit an application. Further, in order to obtain exemption from taxes (eg. VAT, land tax, custom duties), the NGO must show that it spent no more than 25% of its budget on overhead for the two years prior to the application for tax exemption. Only 300 NGOs have full tax benefits.
Donations given only to third sector organizations by corporations having tax-exempt status are tax deductible up to two percent of their profits before tax. In addition, individuals are allowed to deduct up to 10 percent of their taxable income for contributions made to tax-exempt foundations and associations. The deduction, however, requires approval from the Ministry of Finance.
References:
ICNL website. Segment on Thailand.
Pongsapich, A. & Kataleeradabhan, N. (1997). Thailand Non-Profit Sector and Social Development (Bangkok: Chulalongkorn University).
Pongsapich, A. (1996). 'Philanthropy in Thailand', in T. Yamamoto (ed) (1995) Emerging Civil Society in the Asia Pacific Community (Singapore: Japan Center for International Exchange) pp.637-661.
Data and resources
Corporate Giving and Volunteering. The business sector in Thailand has demonstrated an increased interest in philanthropy in various forms. The formation of corporate foundations is among the most usual form. Second, business organizations involved in the Rotary Club and the Lions Club also have provided support to the sector, usually to social welfare organizations. In addition, a number of companies formed themselves into issue focused groups such as the Thai Business Coalition on AIDS, the Business Group for Thai Society, Think Earth and the Thai Business Initiative in Rural Development. However, due to the economic crisis of 1997-98, many companies have severely cut their philanthropic budgets.
References:
Girling, J.L.S. (1981). Thailand: Society and Politics (Ithaca: Cornell University Press).
Volunteerism
From data collected by Department of Social Welfare, Ministry of Interior, there are 27 agencies both in public and private sectors organize volunteering activities.
Volunteering activities in Thailand are undertaken due to the religious belief in order to do good such as Ruamkatanyu Foundation. In addition, many volunteering organizations are promoting volunteering, such as Santichon Muslim Foundation, National Council of Young Buddhist Association, Public Disaster Relief Volunteer Association of Thailand.
Additionally, there are some organizations generating volunteer activities such as Thai Volunteer Service Foundation which aims to recruit & train volunteers to work with NGOs or in many cases, the government agencies themselves have launched volunteering project such as Department of Community Development, Department of Social Welfare, Department of Primary Health Care etc.
Recently, many NGOs attempt to raise funds by themselves instead of waiting for grants. Thai Red Cross Society is the most well-known NGOs on fund raising activities.
Further Information
Thai Volunteer Service Foundation. C/O 409 TVS Bldg., 2nd Floor, Soi Rohitsook, Pracharat-bampen Rd, Huaykhwang, Bangkok 10310.