Achieving the MDGs in Thailand: What Role for Donors in a High Achieving Middle-Income Country?

Abstract

Thailand has a population of approximately 65 million and borders Myanmar, Laos, Cambodia and Malaysia. As with the three previous case studies, the experience of Thailand in responding to the MDGs is unique. Thailand has its own distinct history shaped by its specific geography, political experiences, and social interactions. The fact that Thailand was never colonised, is a Buddhist country, has low levels of urbanisation, and possesses an abundance of land has impacted on its development path and its approach to the achievement of the original MDGs. Yet, despite this distinctiveness, Thailand can be considered representative of many middle-income countries in that it has a dual­istic economy, significant rural-urban migration, a large income gap between the rich and poor, and political instability. So whilst its history is unique, Thailand is a member of a large group of middle-income coun­tries, all of which are seeking to increase their national income in order to reduce the incidence of poverty and increase living standards. In this regard, understanding how Thailand has engaged with the MDGs is valuable.