Thailand

Thailand: Factsheet
Population size: 69 million	Annual population growth: + 0.3 %
Annual urban population growth: 2.6 %	Population density: 134.8 people per sq. km of land area
Surface area: 513,100 sq. km	Forest area: 164,000 sq. km
Protected areas (terrestrial and marine): 12.5% of total area	CO2 emissions: 4.62 metric tons per capita
Human Development Index (HDI): 0.74	GINI coefficient (income inequality): 37.8 (2013)
Mostly 2016 data. Sources: World Development Indicators Database, Human Development Index

World Bank data

Thai Starting Situation

Thailand is located within a global production and regional consumption hub for market commodities. The country is the largest producer of rubber in the world, as well as one of the top international producers of palm oil and sugarcane. Thailand is also a major regional buyer and producer of forestry products.

The production of these key agricultural commodities has contributed to economic growth in Thailand, which has provided significant economic benefits and reduced poverty. But like many countries, Thailand is facing serious environmental challenges due to this rapid economic growth. This results in significant environmental impacts, including mangrove deforestation, reduced forest cover leading to increased GHG emissions, water and air pollution and loss of biodiversity.

Thai Approach to SCP: Area-based SCP models and sustainable value chains

The Thai component of the project applies a market-based approach in that it has developed model sites in northern Thailand (provinces Nan and Chiang Mai) with 1100 farming families involved and a total area of 500 hectares, on which agricultural practice is shifted towards sustainability.

In Chiang Mai, Thailand, commercial agriculture is the single largest driver of deforestation. / © Baramee Temboonkiat

WWF-Thailand is partnering with one of Thailand’s largest retailers (Central Group) to establish more sustainable value chains. A monitoring and traceability tool is developed to establish a strong producer-consumer partnership. Active communication, community development and campaigning engages consumers to reconsider their consumption choices and lifestyles, demand more sustainable products and lower their ecological footprint.

For videos explaining the Thai component in more detail, please follow this link.

Factsheet of the project components in Thailand

SCP project – WWF-Thailand Eat better (Facebook)

Thai Team

From left to right – Teerawat Ruangmak (Project Field Officer), Chonlathan Naratree (Project Coordinator), Tammarin Dejsupa (Project Campaigner), Ply Pirom (Project Manager), Anothai Soma (Project Finance Admin) © WWF-Thailand