Thailand in a “Balance, Creative, and Sustainable” Perspective

          Key Points

●       The 20-Year National Strategy and the 13th National Economic and Social Development Plan outline the country’s long-term direction across the economy, society, and environment, aiming for sustainable and inclusive development aligned with the demands of the digital age.

●       Driving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and the 2025 Voluntary National Review (VNR) to showcase Thailand’s progress, reaffirm its commitment to the global community, and highlight its proactive role on the international stage.

●       The BCG and BCG+ economic models, together with the transformation of the Thai economy, are developing the country's [1] economy on a sustainably based-resource and expanding into a low-carbon dimension through green financial mechanisms.

●       The Clean Energy Management and Power Development Plan (PDP) aim[2] s to transform the electricity system so that renewable energy accounts for more than half of the supply by 2037, driven by clean technologies and smart systems.

●       New environmental laws, including the Clean Air Act and the Climate Change Bill, will elevate Thailand’s environmental standards and align them with international trade regulations, such as the EU’s Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM).

●       Spatial water management and the national water command system leverage technology and data to strengthen water resilience and enhance preparedness for natural disasters.

●       Marine Litter Management and the 100% Recycling Target aim to prevent marine pollution and promote a circular economy at the local level.

●       PM2.5 (Particulate Matter) Control and the Air Quality Warning System aim to establish effective surveillance and rapid response mechanisms to protect public health.

●       Adapting to sea-level rise and coastal change through Nature-based Solutions to strengthen resilience against climate change.

          Summary

Thailand is committed to balanced and sustainable national development by prioritizing economic growth alongside social and environmental development. This approach is supported by mechanisms at both the policy level—such as the 20-Year National Strategy and the 13th National Economic and Social Development Plan—and the implementation level through key initiatives, including the BCG Economic Model, the Power Development Plan, Sustainability Bonds, Water and Marine Litter Management, PM2.5 Response, and Sea-level Adaptation. Together, these mechanisms demonstrate Thailand’s determination to contribute to the global community in building a balanced and sustainable world, through international cooperation such as the Voluntary National Review (VNR) in 2030 submitted to the United Nations (UN) and the implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

The 20-Year National Strategy (2018–2037) serves as the national policy framework that defines Thailand’s long-term development direction. Its vision is: “Thailand as a sustainable, prosperous, and secure developed nation, guided by the Sufficiency Economy Philosophy.” The strategy is built upon four key principles: (1) advancing the Sufficiency Economy Philosophy to ensure balance and resilience for sustainable development; (2) strengthening national competitiveness in both times of crisis and long-term growth; (3) integrating the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) to ensure no one is left behind; and (4) driving the economy through the Bio-Circular-Green (BCG) Economic Model, which harmonizes conservation with economic value creation. In line with this framework, the 13th National Economic and Social Development Plan translates these principles into action through key national mechanisms and projects.

The 2030 VNR in 2025 is a document which is prepared by Thailand for presentation at the Annual High-Level Political Forum on Sustainable Development (HLPF) Summit of the UN. Thailand presented its latest report in July 2025 to showcase the progress of driving all 17 sustainable development goals—focusing on integrating the SDGs into national and local policies, developing monitoring system, communicating information to the public, and mobilizing cooperation from all sectors. Thailand is recognized as a regional leader in advancing the SDGs, ranking 43rd out of 167 countries in the 2025 Annual SDG Index published by the Sustainable Development Solutions Network (SDSN). According to the SDG progress report, Thailand has made notable achievements in SDG 1: No Poverty, with a significant reduction in the proportion of the population living below the international poverty line, and in SDG 4: Quality Education, particularly in expanding access to basic education and improving educational quality. Furthermore, Thailand is preparing to conduct a Subnational SDG Review to capture local-level outcomes and establish a comprehensive monitoring system that supports sustainable development at all levels.

The BCG Economic Model provides an economic guideline that integrates biological resource utilization, the circular economy, and environmentally friendly development. It encompasses three dimensions: (B) Biological Economy—leveraging biological resources to create added value; (C) Circular Economy—promoting efficient resource use and waste reduction; and (G) Green Economy—minimizing environmental impacts. Implementation examples include precision agriculture, bioenergy, ecotourism, and low-carbon technologies. To guide this transition, Thailand has developed the BCG Operation Plan (2021–2027) as a framework for agencies, which establishes four key strategies and links them to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Building upon this, the BCG+ concept emphasizes the role of financial mechanisms—such as Green Bonds, SDG Bonds, and Green Finance—that enable businesses to access capital from environmentally conscious investors. These instruments have been applied to major projects, including urban public transportation and clean energy, and are aligned with international standards set by the International Capital Market Association (ICMA).

The Ministry of Energy’s 2025 Power Development Plan (PDP) serves as the national energy master plan, aligning with the BCG framework and the transition toward a low-carbon economy. Its target is to increase the share of renewable energy to over 50 percent of total electricity generation by 2030–2032 and sustain this level through 2035–2037. The plan prioritizes phasing out coal-fired power plants while investing in clean energy sources such as solar, wind, biomass, and battery storage systems. It also promotes community-based energy production and enhances connectivity through smart grids to strengthen system flexibility and stability, while reducing greenhouse gas emissions in the long term. Currently undergoing public consultation, the plan is expected to be announced soon. Anticipated public benefits include more stable energy prices, expanded access to clean energy in remote areas, and greater opportunities for communities to participate in renewable energy generation.

The Clean Air Act and the Climate Change Bill are new environmental laws currently under parliamentary consideration. The Clean Air Act will establish air quality standards and introduce mechanisms to control pollution from major sources, including vehicles, industries, and open burning. The Climate Change Bill will require government agencies and large businesses to report greenhouse gas emissions and implement carbon reduction plans in line with national carbon neutrality targets. Together, these laws will also help Thailand prepare for the EU’s Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM), thereby safeguarding competitiveness and ensuring continued access to international green markets.

Water Management is a key measure to strengthen adaptive capacity to climate change impacts, complementing the implementation of Environmental Laws and the Transboundary CBAM. Thailand has established the National Water Command Center under the Office of the National Water Resources (ONWR) as the central mechanism for systematic data analysis, planning, and coordination of spatial water management. The center works in collaboration with agencies such as the Royal Irrigation Department, the Department of Water Resources, the Meteorological Department, and local administrative organizations, utilizing Geographic Information Systems (GIS), Big Data System, and Forecast Modeling to manage water resources at the river basin level with greater precision and flexibility. A notable example is the “Bang Rakam Model,” which combines temporary water retention areas with early cultivation planning and water allocation based on weather forecasts, thereby reducing flood damage and improving agricultural water efficiency in recurrent high-risk areas.

Thailand has introduced the Marine Litter Management Operation Plan (2022–2027), developed by the Pollution Control Department and the Department of Marine and Coastal Resources under the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment. The plan’s primary objectives are to reduce marine litter from both land-based and sea-based sources and to raise recycling rates toward 100% by 2027. It is guided by 3 key principles: waste reduction at the source, Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR), and comprehensive waste management. Implementation measures include strengthening waste separation at the source, designing products for recyclability, developing efficient collection and transportation systems, creating markets for recycled materials, and promoting behavioral change among consumers. Progress is monitored through indicators such as reduced marine litter volumes and steadily increasing recovery rates of recyclable materials.

In 2025, the PM2.5 problem was declared a national agenda, with the Pollution Control Department designated as the lead agency in collaboration with domestic stakeholders and neighboring ASEAN countries to address critical dust pollution and transboundary haze. The strategy focuses on three main measures: (1) area-based crisis management (December–April) to ensure timely response by relevant agencies; (2) pollution reduction at the source, including stricter vehicle emissions control, prevention of open burning, regulation of industrial activities, and expansion of green spaces, supported by both short-term and long-term actions such as promoting cleaner fuels, enforcing Euro 5–6 standards, and encouraging public transportation; and (3) development of an integrated pollution management system and database to support evidence-based policymaking, with the goal of reducing days exceeding dust standards and lowering respiratory disease cases. Thailand also engages in the ASEAN Transboundary Haze Operation Plan, focusing on early warning systems, data sharing, and hotspot reduction along borders. This cooperation has short-term measures—such as water spraying and traffic management, and long-term solutions, including enacting clean air legislation and deploying dust source detection technologies for spatial planning.

Thailand has responded to sea-level rise and coastal change through Nature-based Solutions incorporated into national policy frameworks, such as the 2015 Marine and Coastal Resources Management Promoting Operation, which mandated the Department of Marine and Coastal Resources (DMCR) to lead mangrove, seagrass, and coral reef restoration projects. The policy also established national and provincial committees to integrate efforts with the Department of Public Works and Town & Country Planning, local authorities, and academic institutions. Under a 20-year plan (2017–2036), DMCR has restored ecosystems in key provinces such as Samut Prakan, Songkhla, and Chonburi through measures including natural wave-break construction, mangrove reforestation, and integrated urban planning. These efforts are aligned with the department’s broader strategy to conserve and restore ecosystems, raise public awareness, and apply scientific databases and knowledge to inform policymaking.

          References

●      Ministry of Finance. (2024). Report on Thailand's Green Bond Issuance.

●      Ministry of Foreign Affairs. (2025). Foreign Policy for Sustainable Development and the Implementation of the SDGs.

●      Ministry of Energy. (2025). National Power Development Plan (PDP) 2025 Revised Edition.

●      Pollution Control Department. (2024). Marine Waste Management Plan and 2027 100% Recycling Target.

●      Pollution Control Department. (2025). Air Quality Situation Report and 2025 PM2.5 Management.

●      Department of Marine and Coastal Resources. (2024). Report on Thailand's Coastal Situation and Nature-based Solutions.

●      Office of Natural Resources and Environmental Policy and Planning. (2025). Draft Clean Air Act and Draft Climate Change Bill.

●      Office of the National Water Resources (ONWR). (2025). Spatial Water Management Guidelines and the National Water Command Center.

●      Office of the National Economic and Social Development Council (NESDC). (2023). The 13th National Economic and Social Development Plan (2023–2027).

●      Office of the National Economic and Social Development Council (NESDC). (2025). 2025 Voluntary National Review (VNR).

●      Fiscal Policy Office. (2024). Report on the Impact of the CBAM Mechanism and Trade in the EU's Green Market.

●      United Nations. (2025). High-Level Political Forum on Sustainable Development: Thailand Voluntary National Review.

●      International Capital Market Association (ICMA). (2023). Green Bond Principles.

●      European Commission. (2023). Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM): Regulation and Guidance.