Thai Cultural and Ethical Codes in Climate Change Negotiations
Wanee Samphantharak
Presentation Flow
• Thai Ethics and Morals • Thai Culture and Society • Development, Globalization and Thai Culture • Renewal of Ethics and Morals • Ethics and International Environment
Thai Ethics and Morals
• Derived from the traditional religion of Thailand “Buddhism” • Recognize “human is part of nature” • Emphasize “ the mutual co-existence of man and nature” use “loving-kindness” as a means for peaceful co-existence • Use “Moderation” as the key
– Consume moderately – Live moderately – relate moderately
Thai Culture and Society
• Agricultural based, especially rice • Strong community cohesion
– Agricultural labor sharing – Participation and cooperation in community activities – Self reliance; Self sufficiency
• Polite, Compromise and Peacefulness • “Land of Smile”
Development, Globalization and Thai Culture
• The Cultural effects of development patterns
– Western pattern of development influenced heavily – Social values of moderation replaced by economic maximization – Overemphasize economic wealth and materialism
Economic Crisis and Moderation Renewal
• Economic and financial crisis caused serious social and economic problems • The crisis requires strong adjustments • The King Guidance to fight the arising problems
Sufficiency Economy
Philosophy of “Sufficiency Economy”
• Means “Moderation” and due consideration on all modes of conduct
• Stress “Middle Path” as a principle for appropriate conduct
Ethics and International Environment
• Global environments are externalities and institutional intervention is needed • The Principles underlying the Climate Change Convention has built-in Ethical and Moral consideration
– Precaution – Common but Differentiated Responsibilities – Information Exchange – Assistance to the Needs and the Affected
The Convention Process and Ethical Issue
• The process indicates Ethics and Moral are lacking in Climate Change negotiation
– Overemphasizing market and efficiency – Lack of financial and technical support for vulnerability and adaptation – Ignore “inter-nation” and “intergeneration” equity – Fail to distinguish “Emission for Survival” from “Emission for Luxury”
•
Toward Global Sustainable Development Ethics and Moral for international
environment is critically needed
– Look at nature as integral part of us – Consider all humankind, all space and time
• “Moderation” and “Sufficiency Economy” are important keys to dilute “Greedy” and Concentrate “middle path of life” toward sustainable development
“Leading a contented life with few desires Being satisfied and therefore always happy”
Thank You
Thank You