Power The Thought No.1-2013

21 1 - 2556
Vol. 21 No. 1 January - March 2013
rt
One heea world
for th
Contents
30

02
Towards Sustainability
3

Three Powers of Asias Economic

Miracle on the Road of Corporate
Governance Worth Observing
36
Food for Thought
01
The First Word
30
14
40
54
02

Power the Thought World

Be a part in tackling global warming.
Take an easy step from our mind.
14

Know the Thinker

Towards a way and a means to
eradicate global warming by
refining our mind to be content by
not consuming than necessary.
20

Taproot of Virtue

...
When global warming affects

the food and in return the food
affects global warming too,
how can we jointly address
a problem of earning a living that
relates to the global problem?
40

Within Education
A role of education in developing

ASEAN community
46
Universe and the Unthinkables
The Survival
50

Point of View

Balance Creation for Sustainable
Future by Green Energy
54

...
Innovative Power to Thrive in Crisis
:
Khuan Khreng Swamp Forest:

Raising Awareness and Cultivating
Richness of Forest
58
Power for Sustainable Future
1
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10900 Caf Amazon 5
http://www.pttplc.com/th/Media-Center/Pages/PTT-Newsetters.aspx
The First Word
We cannot deny a prominent role of economic sector

in mobilizing the world to develop up until today. Incessant
struggle of people to develop economy prompts them
to pursue novel science and technology which leads to
society and industrial development. Nevertheless, many
phenomena along with such development represent
two opposite sides of the coin. We have founded
that medical advancement is so progressing that life
expectancy of people is higher than the past. Concurrently,
with accomplishment in people longevity, they somehow
have to suffer serious health problems. Amidst
convenience in life, life quality declines immensely. Most
importantly, our way of consuming products has become
perilous habit as we excessively exploit natural resources
in order to meet our demands. Furthermore, it contributes
to numerous natural disasters, especially global warming
facing us at present.
Solving a great problem can start from a small step
inside all of us. Many people have stopped to consider
and prepare readiness for the future by controlling
desire, train themselves to consume only what necessary
and inculcate a good habit to utilize natural resources in
an effective manner with a hope to create a caring society
for human and nature.
Lets start from ourself today and expand to others
around us to create a peaceful society that lives
and consumes wisely as well as understands sufficiency,
which is perhaps a utopian society. Somehow, it can be
realized if we really implement those activities.

A4

1

(Reuse Saline Solution Bag):
Multi Bag OSISU . .

Power The Thought | 01
Power the Thought World
02 |
Global warming is no longer foreign for us as

noticeable evidence which provokes us is not just
a sight of melting iceberg in a far away land in Arctic
but a hands-on experience such as late arrival of cold
season in the previous year which has never taken place
despite the fact that it is already December. For people
in the central area in Thailand especially in Bangkok,
it seems that it never gets cold. Although in the north of
Thailand, the temperature declines only at early dawn,
then it rises to be warm as usual in the afternoon which is
different from the past when it was normally cold all day.

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04 |
Global warming is not just a rising temperature. This

phenomenon of changing climate of the world is causing
even more worrying consequences for instance, flood,
storm, more severe and often droughts and elevating sea
level that prompts many islands in the ocean to launch
evacuation plan for their own people. In addition, there
are epidemic and outbreak of diseases, not to mention
widespread pests and lower yields. Everything in ecology
system is falling apart continuously like domino effect.
In particular, this throbbing problem is creeping into
our daily life closer and closer.
Before the last domino falls upon us, can humans
prevent this conundrum in time? All of us are those who
need to answer.
From Kyoto to Doha
Undoubtedly, people cannot afford to wring their
hands over the global warming. Efforts to solve the
problem at national, regional and global levels have been
demonstrated. One of the cooperation is a signing of
joint statement at the members meeting of United Nations
Framework Conventions on climate change in Kyoto that
resulted in a well-known Kyoto Protocol which essencially
required 41 countries lists in the Annex I of the Convention
to reduce emissions of six greenhouse gases by an average
5.2 percent below 1990 levels between 2008 and 2012.
As for non-annex 1 countries which are developing
countries, they had obligations to implement policies
and activities to reduce greenhouse gases but the target
in number or duration was not specified. The protocal came
into force in 2005 and was set to expire in 2012.
Every year, the news about the endeavor of world
community to adjust themselves to cope with climate
change has always been in the limelight, particularly,
the latest 18thConvention between 26 November and
8 December 2012 in Doha, Qatar. Because the Kyoto
Protocol ends on the past 31 December, many parties then
paid attention to a direction taking birth from this particular
convention to see how the world would move on to tackle
the global warming issue.
The main outcome from the convention was
the agreement of member countries to extend the
Kyoto Protocol until 2020 or the next eight years and
encouragement for the developed countries to render
support and compensation for the developing countries
affected by global warming such as natural disasters.
However, there was not conclusive agreement on many
areas such as whether on a target of greenhouse gas
reduction or financial support from developed countries.
Furthermore, some countries such as Canada, Russia
and Japan withdrew from the Kyoto Protocol.
From the year of 1997 when the Kyoto Protocol was
first drafted until the recent convention in Doha, the hope
for the world seems to be gloomy. Some environmentalists
are despondent at a no-progress or insincerity in solving
the problems.

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18

How do we come to this point?

Despite the explanation of some scientists that
the global warming is part of nature cycle and changes
in the world, we cannot deny our responsibilities that
our actions accelerate that cycle.
Since the industry revolution in the 18thCentury,
the world has never been the same. Mass production
each time not only brings about convenience and access
to the factors necessary to our living, it also produces
commodities to meet demands of growing world population
at a speedy rate. Also, it stimulates economy as well as
subsequent mass consumption. If we reflect on the origin
of every product we use, all of them are from natural
resources, even synthesis products such as plastic is
from petroleum.
This kind of consumption would not damage the world
as it does today if the need of economy circulation that
persuades the people to consume and buy more products
did not occur. As a consequence, overconsumption is born
out from primary needs and habit inculcation of seeking joy
from consumption. Hence, more productions follow and
a cycle of these activities take place. In this cycle, massive
use of natural resources and shocking amount of waste are
also created. These harm the nature and environment over
and over.
Though the humans try to pursue technology
development to address environmental problem arising
from the consumption e.g. energy conservation tools,
use of green energy such as wind and solar energy,
etc. to replace fossil fuels in addition to fuel economy
car and green technology for industry, the root cause of
the problem is our behavior of consumption. Therefore,
one of the solutions is to change our way of living and
transformation of our behavior. To succeed, it all begins
from our mind.

The global community has long
developed strategies to solve
global warming but it seems to fail
as planned. In fact, a big problem
may be solved by small people
who cooperate to do so.

No Impact Man
(Colin Beavan)
2

1,248 2,190
4,380

Car Free Day

2535 Media Foundation
Buy Nothing Day
06 |
Change can take place when the mind says so.

At the turning point of global warming solving mission
at the national level, please believe that small people
like each one of us can positively contribute to the world
without a need to wait for the resolution from the United
Nations. Numerous examples from people around
the world have been reported from various media that
inspire people incessantly.
One of the efforts is a story of concrete methods
for environmental change through the documentary, No
Impact Man by Colin Beavan and his small family including
his wife and a 2-year-old daughter. All family members
try to adjust their life and disturb the natural resources
the least despite the fact that they live in the metropolitan
city - New York - where achieving a task not to damage
the environment seems to be an unimaginable. They ride
a bicycle instead of driving, eat vegetarian food and do not
consume electricity and toilet paper or even ready-made
diapers. All of these seem to be such a pain and mental
challenge. But after one year, their success pay off as
they can reduce 1,248 garbage bags, 2,190 paper cups
and 4,380 gallons of waste.
At the community of Dhamma practice of Plum Village
founded by Thich Nhat Hanh located in various countries
such as France, USA, Germany and Hong Kong, people
there have inspiring practices for the global communities.
Namely, they train their consciousness to be aware of
and lessen global warming through daily activities such as
eating vegetarians, abstain from milk and dairy products to
decrease pollution from livestock, and organize a Car Free
Day to reduce carbon dioxide gas, etc.
Amidst radical shopping and consumption - a cause
of using the natural resources in a wasteful way - the Media
Foundation proposed Buy Nothing Day to persuade people
not to buy anything for one day in 1992. Its idea is not
about buying nothing but asking themselves to think first
before buying if it is necessary or not and how it affects
themselves, society of environment. This idea has been
spread worldwide from UK, France, USA, Brazil, Japan
and others including Thailand.

(Annie Leonard)

Story of Stuff

The Story of Cap & Trade

The Story of Bottled Water

In Trend
Out Sale

21
21-Day Habit Theory
(Dr. Maxwell Maltz)

21

Everyone can change the world

by changing oneself. Start with your
heart to reduce and stop consuming
than necessary, make a new trend of
lifestyle of not disturbing the nature.
At individual level, Annie Leonard blew the whistle
to alert the world to contemplate on consumption through
the Story of Stuff, the story telling the people about vast
amount of consumption and their consequences i.e.
gigantic mountains of garbage that remain which destroy
the environment. Thereafter, Leonard produced a number
of short documentaries on the issue that provoked thoughts
of audience such as The Story of Cap & Trade revealing
that the solutions of global warming benefit some groups
of people in the developed countries and The Story of
Bottled Water pointing out the attempts of the producers
to entice consumers to believe that their products are
necessary to buy.
These examples of behaviors are telling us that
the great external change starts from the inside of those
who practice. It can be said that all of the changes exist
from themind.
Nevertheless, the seemingly simple stuff starting from
our mind is not that easy. All of us are aware that among
the most challenging tasks, winning our mind is the most
difficult one. Is it the case that we have become enslaved
to in trend (the term according to Thai) or out-of-trend as
well as sale? How can few letters are so inviting and make
us procrastinate doing something good for our world?
The answer is from our mind.
To get rid of our self-indulgence behavior requires
a lot of moral support to control ourselves which can be
done by continuous restraint. According to the 21-day
Habit Theory, a psychology theory explaining habit
changing of people by Dr. Maxwell Maltz, a plastic
surgeon, a key of the actions of humans that can become
a habit is to carry out activities for 21 consecutive days.
Therefore it does not hurt to test our mind and try to
be independent from stimulations and train our heart to
practice good things that will benefit us and others. Spend
some days to commit to the mission of loving the planet,
and change our way of consumption to be friendly to our
environment.
When each of us practice, no matter how small it is,
just many of us do it together and uninterruptedly,
we will have a power of great change to turn our world
in the direction we want.

?
?

08 |
I always say that everything has two sides:

one side is our own spirit and other side is our fruits of
action that is out there. Therefore, we have to understand
that if our world in our mind is not hot, the world outside
is not hot either. The global warming is a result of our desire.
We need everything and now its consequences have return
to us because of our own actions. Secondly, we live like
we do not know when is enough. Wanting everything is
from our own behavior. Because we need to develop,
then we die. This is an ultimate truth.
Obviously, consumerism is an origin of global warming,
on the other hand, consumerism is beneficial in a way that
it teaches us not to consume. People need to learn from
this. If you want to learn about white color, you have to
learn about black color. If you want to be high, you have to
learn about being low first. Everything is a cycle. It is not
a separate thing. Global warming is useful too. We want to
stop warming. But the reason why we cannot stop because
you do not want to stop it. The humans need to learn from
the pain; the nature will teach us. But if we do not want to
come to that day, we have to ask ourselves if we can stop
it or not.
As for the things we need, we have to think if we really
need to use them or not. Are they truly necessary? That is
an excuse for us as we need to find a reason for their utility.
If we stop it, we do not find any excuse. When we do it,
we will know that the more we do it, the more we stop.
Then we understand more. Other people may not stop,
let them. You just do it. The practice is dhamma principles.
Global warming needs to be stopped from ourself, do it.
Then everything will be knitted together. Do not think that
our own actions do not affect others. We must start from
ourselves. No matter how the consequences turn to be,
do not cling to them and think that they do not work.
We have to consider that they teach us and because
we all take part in it and hurt them too.
How can we teach the young to understand global
warming? Adults must not panic but they should have
conscience that the children are watching us. Do not do
anything that harms them. The small children are even
more pure. They are still not able to understand but they
are aware of our own action. The physical eyes may not see
them but the eyes inside is our mind, our wisdom that can
see and they can absorb that.
The question is not

whether climate change
is happening or not,
but whether, in the face
of this emergency,
we ourselves can
change it fast enough.
10 |
Global climate
change has a profound
impact on the survival
and development of
mankind. It is a major
challenge facing
all countries.
All over the place,

from popular culture
to propaganda system,
there is always
a constant pressure
to make people feel
that they are helpless,
that the only role they
can have is to ratify
decisions and to
consume.
It is about consumerism,
you find the meaning
of life from what you buy.
Those are very expensive
and thus you have to
earn more money
and the gap between
the rich and the poor
then have been widened.
I want to see everyone
has food to eat more
than to see that one has
to starve and one has
a bag worth ten thousand
dollars.
Earth provides
enoughto satisfy every
mans need, but not
every mans greed.
Correct and moderate

consumption is
a beauty.
As people alive today,

we must consider future
generations: a clean
environment is a human
right like any other.
It is therefore part of
our responsibility toward
others to ensure that
the world we pass
on is as healthy,
if not healthier,
than we found it.
Those who are

obstructive and selfserving need to realize
we are not talking
about impacts on how
comfortable you people
live , but whether or not
our people will live.
What kind of clock

can lessen global
warming? We need to
pose a difficult question
and we will know how
our lifestyle should be.
If we do not ask this
kind of tough question,
our life will be victims
of commercial because
we do not understand.
Waves of advertisement
will dominate us and
take money from our
pocket.
The first thing we must

do is to refine, restrain
ourselves and finally
dissolve our self being
because our ego is
a source of constitution
leading to over
consumption. Amidst
severe environmental
crisis facing the world,
I have not yet seen
any other solution than
moving on toward this
direction.
Actions f
rom the
Hearts o
Small Gro
f
ups of P
eople
When we ask ourselves

if we have done anything
that help lessen global warming,
perhaps we may be surprised
to learn that we all have done
something good for the world
before. The answers from those
small groups of people
can well confirm it.
12 |

34
Sorting garbage, and

do not accept plastic bag
and use the products telling
us that they help improve
environment or combat
global warming.
Sirirat Ratana-amnuaysiri,
34-year-old Writer

32

It is pretty cool this time;

I do not turn on air conditioner
then. When go shopping for
something not too big or not
necessary, I dont put them in
a bag and will not get a bag.
Pichaphat Kutphan,
32-year-old Make-up Artist

BTS
Stop engine when parking

along the road as I think
it may cause pollution.
Natee Hemarat,
Freelancer
40

Switch off
unnecessary light
Siriporn Chantawong,
40-year-old
TV Program Producer
30
Riding a bike and take

it in BTS to continue my trip.
I think it is may be a small
thing to do but I feel happy
to be environmentally-friendly
and able to see the city in
another angle and move
more slowly. I feel content.
Na Pong Waranyanan,
30-year-old Self-entrepreneur
NGV

37
Using NGV car

Nattakit Maikate,
37-year-old Employee

31
Using a cloth bag.

I seriously plan to reduce
use of plastic bags; I always
have a cloth bag in my purse
which is left in the car.
Whenever I go shopping,
I take it with me, I put them
in a large cloth bag.
Wantida Jittayanantakul,
31-year-old Programmer

16
4
(English Program)
Sorting garbage as
a habit. Use electricity
and oil as necessary
and be sufficient.
Thammachart
Chantapalaboon,
16-year-old Student, Mattayom 4,

Wat Nai Rong School
(English Program)

36
Go camping and cooking

our own food on a plate
and in a pot. Clean it
instead of buying food
in the box or bag, so that
there are no more garbage
left in the nature or tourist
destinations
Prapaphan Wacharapitak,
36-year-old Freelancer

..
13
1

Always eat everything on

a plate, grow a tree and use
2 sides of paper because
if we use a new sheet, it is
a waste and more trees
need to be cut down
Amrin Sangthong,
13-year-old Student, Mattayom 1,

Pothisanpittayakorn School
Know the Thinker
14 |
Knowing the real happiness:

a way to tackle global warming
The natural disaster and fluctuations in weather we witness today are

foolproof indicating that a source of problem partly stems from humans
actions. Those actions center on reckless consumption because we feel
content with using and consuming and thus produce to meet and drive
the needs of people. Day by day, these actions accelerate utilization of
natural resources and at the same time leave substantial amounts of
garbage that affect the world and living organisms behind.
2556

16 |
A number of countries try to impose measures,

make agreements and pledges as well as brainstorm to
develop technology and science of production with a goal
to slow down global warming. If we trace a root cause of
the problem, we can find the answers. Namely, a resolute
measure in responding to existing problems which tend to
intensify is to change the way we consume.
For the first issue of Power the Thought of 2013, the
editorial team paid respect to revered Phra Paisal Visalo,
who is an intellect, a monk, a writer and a practitioner from
Chaiyaphum Province. We aimed at gaining his insights
in order to guide us to reflect upon life and adapt our mind
to learn more about true happiness that does not require
external influences.
Taken into consideration the saying

all coins have two sides,do you,
Venerable see any benefit of consumerism?
In a way, consumerism allows people opportunities
to access products and to use things or natural resources
in order to effortlessly develop themselves. Previously,
societies of people were in need of four requisites and
other things such as book and pencils were rare products.
But the industrial revolution enabled us to produce a large
amount of four requisites. From the four necessities,
we were able to produce more products and consumerism
became widespread. Today, we are able to gain the four
requisites and other products as well as conveniences
more easily.
But there are morenegative sides aswe have too
many unnecessities. People can now easily access the four
requisites andnecessary products for living. Nevertheless,
if they are not urged to consume more products than
those e.g.other types of convenience, people then
think the economy is not developed. Therefore,they try
to launchother products for sale. But ifthey produce
them and no one buys products, then there is a need
to stimulate people to buy them. Consumerism is thus
a way to make unnecessary items become necessary.
For instance,childrenalways think that cell phone is
essential despite the fact that no one dies without it.
Consumerism alsoforces people to buy things they do not
need. They buy the product because it is on sale andafter
they have got it, they do not use it. It is indeed a waste
and a large amount of natural resources are used up.
Now, we have passed the point of moderation and thus
it causes a problem to the planet.
Some people say consumerism is a new religious,
what do you think about it?
I agree because in the past people went to temple to
learn about Dhamma but today a ritual of people which has
become a must is shopping and advertisement is a way to
promote this type of religious.
An underlying problem of the people is suffering
against egoism. It is a human nature tofeel uncomfortable
about our ego and feel the need to develop and refine
ourselves to become better. Though we have things to
eat and use,we still have a problemwith it. For instance,
we still want to be loved and have fame. Without it,
we feel very suffered. People commit suicide because
of the egoism problem. Because they feel worthless
or isolated or do not feel that they are not good enough.
Or sometimes they feel lonely. Religious can address
this problem. One function of the religion is to create
a new better ego for people by keeping silla, persevering
to practice, reducing and quitting. But the new identity of
people today is to consume. Consumerism is not about
meeting the needs of physical convenience but it is
a means to create a new identity for us. Those who want
to have a Rolex watch and carry a Louis Vuittonbag is not
because the products give more convenience to them.
But they create a new status. They give them a new image
which is a short cut for a new better form in an easy
and more convenient way. You do not have to spend any
effort. Just buy Brand-name products, you can become
a new person.
It turns out that to solve an issue of

egoismaffectsthe nature.
If you solve the problem by reducing and refraining,
the problem willnot occur. But people like to solve the
problem by consuming and gaining money and products
to make one feel safe as the egoism is about feeling
insecured. We can explain that a fundamentalproblem of
humans is about afeeling of shortfall. It troubles the mind
ofpeople all the time and we feel a lack of something
because deep down in our mind we know that the ego
does not exist.
Religiously, we can explain that the deficiency will
vanish when you have wisdom and realize that there is
no ego.Because when you accept the truth thatthe form is
non-existent, the feeling of lacking willdisappear. But most
of people feel that when they lack something, they need
to fulfill them. But the more they try to fulfill, the more they
feelthat you lack something.The more they consume, they
still suffer. You still feel like consuming more to get rid of
the feeling of not having in order to feel secure. What about
if7,000 million people think the same, what will be left for
theworld? Everything will be destroyed.
What should we do if we have to live in

the environment that drives us to consume
every day, how do we balance our lives?
We have to realize that the way we live and consume
today has a fair share in destroying the nature. If we do not
change our way of consumption, it is uneasy to halt nature
destruction and to change our way of living. We must have
a right attitude about happiness i.e. happiness is not from
using massively and consuming enormously. We have to
understand that the real happiness is in your heart - the
fruit of peace, quitting, being not restless, meditation
18 |
or public mind. Namely, we have to allow our mind to

experience profound inner peace and refined calmness
from meditation. These can be achieved from living in
the nature, virtue making, being surrounded by friends,
receiving kindness, warmth and hospitality and witnessing
ultimate truth of life.
We must give ourselves a chance to experience
happiness from simplicity. Doing so will make us feel
that we do not need a lot. Secondly we have to deeply
contemplate to discover that there are many drawbacks
from owning many things. It is such a pain for many people
when they buy many things and do not have enough
room to store them. Changing cars so often is tiring. One
needs to see disadvantages of stimulants so that they are
motivated to feel enough. Furthermore, good friends can
also warn them not to be obsessed with consumerism.
Lord of Buddha taught the monks to behave like
a butterfly which sucks nectar from flowers without
damaging them. His teaching can be applied by everyone
on this planet. Namely, people need to resort to the nature.
Hence, we must not harm it the same way the butterflies
always depend upon the flowers and never damage them.
For those who feel that doing something good
for the world is against the mainstream and they
will never succeed, what is your view?
If you find inner bliss, you will feel secure and never
waver. If we are not internally happy, you will be swayed
by the trend. Conducting public minded activities must
be done with contentment, not by obligation. Where is
the happiness from? It is not about accolade, praise or
honor. It is a happiness, joy and delight with our own
actions. If you find this kind of pleasure, you will be
recharged to have energy to do so many things. Though
people around you may not agree with you, you do not
really care because you are already happy.
If you carry out public-spirited activities, you will gain
some results. At least, the benefit is for you; at least, for
one person you help him or a piece of forest you take part
in growing. So do not think that it will positively affect
the whole world. Just start from one or two. People feel
happy when you help him or her as he or she can stand on
his or her own feet. But it means a lot for him or her already
and if you have energy, you can help three or four people.
Do not expect to think the world will be better overnight.
Lord of Buddha taught the monks to

behave like a butterfly which sucks nectar
from flowers without damaging them. His
teaching can be applied by everyone on
this planet. Namely, people need to resort
to the nature. Hence, we must not harm
it the same way the butterflies always
depend upon the flowers and never
damage them.
How do we train the children not to be

a consumerist when they grow up?
Our children today are taught to be takers all the time.
We feed them food and water or toys. On their birthday,
they get lots of presents. In the past, Thai people did not
just receive things on their birthdays. In fact, they gave
things to other such as offering alms and releasing birds
and fishes. That is how Thai birthday is supposed to be.
For farang, the birthday boy or girl will just wait to receive.
A value of using and consumption is like that.
If we are born to be a sole receiver, there is no way
we can be free from consumerism. Therefore, we have to
start from changing our value from being eager to use,
consume to eager to doing and learning. Do not let
the children enjoy convenience. We have to start from
telling the children not to wait for the service and train
them to be a giver, do some chores, be responsible for
themselves and help feed pets, etc. We have to make them
see that the happiness is from giving - when they help do
some household chores, wash dishes, they will be proud.
Taproot of Virtue
20 |
An Inconvenient
Truth
Al Gore
...
Few years ago, a documentary film - An Inconvenient Truth,

produced by former vice president of the United States,
Al Gore, shocked the world by unveiling the truth people
were not keen to hear. However, everyone of us have to
accept the fact that global warming and climate change are
attacking us and threatening our life every minute...Up until
today, the global warming issue is no longer just a warning
signal, it has become a fact of life and affected every
aspect not excluding the closest thing to us like food.
--
(
23 !)

Livestocks Long Shadow
1 3

...
2 - 3

--
22 |
Short tempered-hot plate-global warming

In a globalization world, everything must be concise,
speedy and hasty so as to achieve high production in
term of quantity and to respond to rising need and hotter
temper of people in this present world. This equation has
applied in industrial system which is the main system to
produce the food for us to eat. Tracing back to its origin,
a source of food, we can discover that the agro-industry
system places an emphasis on mass production in order
to feed raw material to food production process. This type
of agriculture needs massive amount of fuel and energy starting from agricultural machinery until distribution
system, not to mention a large amount of chemical fertilizer
to boost production to meet the market needs or a great
number of livestock which is a source of methane gas in
the atmosphere (23 times morepotent as a greenhouse
gas than carbon dioxide). These are examples of
unnatural activities from food production process
which become one of the main causes of global warming.
This is line with the report of Livestocks Long Shadow of
United Nation disclosing that the food production process
accounts for one third of the global warming caused
by human activities.
Many people may wonder what does that have to do
with normal food we eat every day?
Aside from being one of major contributors of global
warming, the consequences of food production and
distribution system also directly affect our food. Since
the global warming does not mean that the countries
in the northern hemisphere will become a suitable area
for plantation in replace of the countries in the southern
hemisphere. But the weather everywhere will be fluctuating,
hard to forecast and also become extreme. Lets refresh
our memory about global weather we heard from the news
or witnessed in the past 2 - 3 years, we may be able to
visualize how global warming apparently affected our food
production process for instance, frequent fluctuations or
unprecedented weather such as snow at the equator or
extreme heat in the warm area. These kinds of phenomena
result in a more radical change in growing season. Every
year, the farmers have to face with draught and lack of
water sources for agriculture in addition to ongoing, wider
and more severe spread of pest and new plant and animal
diseases. Some years, there were flood, storm and fire that
occurred before the farmers could harvest their crops.
Far away from the farm, in the area adjacent to river
and sea, one can also observe the global warming which
continues to expand as seen in rising temperature of water
sources, more salinity in sea water and fluctuating tide.
Consequently, ecosystem of river and sea coast as well
as plant and animals in various water sources has been
tremendously destroyed. Such impacts cause a decline in
production of raw material for food production; while on
the other hand, food price is on a rise. This hit hard on
a large number of people because they cannot access
quality and sufficient food for living as they should.
Sir Nicholas Stern

2006
20

Monsanto, Cargill Tyson Foods
Mr. Visit Limprana,

President of Food Processing Industry Club,
The Federation of Thai Industry
As a consequence, Sir Nicholas Stern, former World

Bank Chief Economist thus had predicted the economic
system and weather back in 2006 that the climate change
would be the greatest and widest-ranging market failure.
It may bring about a risk causing economic and social
activities interruption in the later part of this century and
the next century, with the same magnitude as the world
war and economic recession that took place in the first half
of the 20th Century. When the economist blew the whistle,
worlds leading food corporation such as Monsanto,
Cargill and Tyson Foods thus elevated importance of global
warming and climate change as one of their business risks.
Hence, the business strategies to enable the food business
to adjust themselves and prosper amidst the global
warming of this planet are called for.

10 15
19

60

65 ( 3,000
1 )
15

......
3

Anna Lappe
24 |
Crisis is an opportunity.
Despite the fact that the food production and
distribution are one of the causes of global warming,
not every business activity affecting environment has to
be prohibited and completely halted. As everything has
both advantages and disadvantages; the best solution
to the problem is to make the best out of everything.
At the same time, one should cope with the problem and
try to pursue various means to minimize environmental
impact so that the use of natural resources can be
optimized and result in economic development in
a sustainable way.
Mr. Visit Limprana, President of Food Processing
Industry Club, The Federation of Thai Industry recounted
how to turn a crisis into food business opportunity
that Presently, the food production and distribution
businesses have discovered ways and hidden business
opportunities from challenging global warming in terms
of technology development and production process
to release greenhouse gases according to rules and
regulations of world market at global level. Furthermore,
these also involve creativity to produce environmentallyfriendly products or even the idea to return to natural
way by practicing organic farming and development of
more efficient agricultural innovation starting from variety
selection until agricultural machinery and irrigation
system. Those factors will support Thai food industry
to gain more competitive edge as todays consumers are
willing to spend more for quality products that are certified
and produced by ethical corporations which protect
environment sustainably. To respond to the needs of
consumers, business sector thus has to continuously
adapt itself to a changing world.
Economic Intelligence Center of Siam Commercial
Bank showed some examples of turning a crisis into a new
opportunity. It reported that A-ngoon (grape) Vegetable
Oil has adopted an approach to reduce carbon footprint
in their production process. This method does not only
reduce cost but tentatively increases its market share from
10% to over 15%. The construction of biofuel power plant
from manure of 19 pig farms in Thailand that joined the
Clean Development Mechanism Project (CDM) is able to
reduce fuel cost and increase revenue from selling carbon
credit of around Baht 60 million per year. In addition,
there are growing signs of new channels and business
opportunities to answer requirements of green energy
consumers such as development of new innovation of
frozen food for health under the brand of Prantalay
(sea hunter) which has changed its product container
to reduce the use of plastic by 65% (equivalent to the
use of 3,000 neon light bulbs for a year). The initiative is
expected to generate a sale increase of around over 15%.
Apart from the adjustment of large food companies,
small-scale farmers have also taken part in alleviating
global warming by practicing organic farming which
stresses a harmony with nature. At the same time, the use

Anna Lappe

Robert
Kenner Food Inc.

...
of limited natural resources is planned to be optimized

while both producers and consumers are not harmed.
Eating to change the world
Witnessing attempts of food business companies
around the world to adjust themselves to survive while
nature and environment are in coma, we may try to look
back to the origin that is not far awayit is uswho has
a role as a consumer of three meals a day. Then try to
answer as a person of what we can do to tackle global
warming. Anna Lappe, American public speaker and
author of best-selling book about sustainable agriculture
said that most of us often chant verses about environmental
conservation we can remember by heart - change light
bulbs, drive the car less, choose electric appliances which
are efficient. Not many people mention changes of food
production or change the food we eat.
Furthermore, many people have posed questions
about the food we eat the same way as Anna Lappe as
many skepticism and doubts about food production and
distribution route have been raised. One of them is Robert
Kenner, producer of a short documentary - Food Inc. who
revealed food production industry in the USA. The film
aimed at provoking consumers to pose questions
and find answers about the food they eat for instance,
how they are produced, how many insecticides are used
and if they were harvested after spraying insecticide
or the farmers waited for a while. Other questions are:
How are the meat that we eat raised? Did they live
in dirty, crowded places or in a small area all their lives?,
Did the famers use hormone or antibiotics or other
inappropriate food? and How short were their life?
Ms. Kingkorn Narintornkul Na Ayutthaya,

Vice President of Biothai Foundation
and Manager of Food4change Project
(

www.food4change.in.th)

- (Wal-Mart
Stores Inc.)

26 |
...
...
3

We may try to look back to the origin that

is not far away...it is us...who has a role as
a consumer of three meals a day. Then try
to answer as a person of what we can do to
tackle global warming.
Other questions also concern labor in farming areas

and employees at food processing industry if they receive
fair treatment or wages according to the standard or
not, if this type of production process affects society or
environment and if how many more people who become
sick from eating the food today. These types of questions
will strike the minds of consumers. about their food
and concurrently they will jointly voice their opinions to
demand the food business sector to practice their business
in a more ethical manner.
In Thailand, the movements about this new trend
of consumption have started and ignited new hope that
it can be part of change for better food production. Take
Ms. Kingkorn Narintornkul Na Ayutthaya, Vice President of
Biothai Foundation and Manager of Food4change Project
who exposed the fact of Thai consumers that Our Thai
way of living is moving away from the source of food more
and more. Although we are born in agricultural country,
we cannot think of where our food is from and diversity
of food is not present. This can be seen every day as
nowadays we eat only few vegetables or repeat the same
menus from the same food producers. Besides false beliefs
and misleading information about the food such as most of
the people do not know the season of vegetable or ideas
that hydroponics vegetable is organic vegetable or think
that growing vegetable in water instead of soil is a correct
method. Actually, it is in fact unnatural because the water
used for growing hydroponics vegetable is full of solutions
which are entirely fertilizer. Definitely, there is a risk that
it will be left and these hydroponicallygrownvegetable
we eat are unavoidably contaminated.
The above situation shows that we have fewer
food options to choose. Such scenario has originated
a process of eating to change the world, an initiative
to make consumers understand the food problem we are
encountering in terms of food natural resources, food,
and food culture. The project of eating to change the world
is to ask yourself first before eating i.e. where the food
comes from, in order to spark ideas among consumers to
gain more knowledge on food and change themselves first.
The seed of starting to change the world will be passed on

to other and finally a group of consumers with bargaining
power will be formed. Later they can step up to pose
questions regarding food system and other monopoly.
As a consequence, changes and establishment of food
system that we need and rights that we should have to
depict our own destiny will take place (if you want to be
part of the eating process to change the world, please visit
www.food4change.in.th for additional information.)
GMOs (Genetically Modified Organisms)

?
GMOs
?

...
Choices for survival

Despite the fact that the food production industry
may be partly the cause of climate change, environment
and health of consumers, these problems do have solution.
At least, mega food companies in the world today start to
pay importance on environmental conservation and switch
to organic way. For example, an American and the worlds
No. 1 retailer - Wal-Mart Stores, Inc., which seems to be
a symbol of capitalism in the eyes of many, has offered
more choices to green consumers who show their
standpoint in choosing to buy safe and safeguard
environment. In doing so, a number of organic food
products are sold at various stores. Likewise, there are
many companies creating brands of organic products e.g.
organic tomato sauce of Heinz and organic raisin bran of
Kellogg, etc. Once the power of consumers can influence
the producers to produce quality food from sustainable
raw material and process and the investors try to increase
quality of the food in an ongoing process, low-quality food
that is not protecting environment will become lesser
in the market.
It can be seen that organic way which is a food
production process that cares for all lives and environment
as it refuses all types of chemicals, manages energy use
effectively, greatly reduces carbon release from food sector
as well as preserves biodiversity in a sustainable fashion.
The fruit from organic way may render another option to
balance food chain so that the global warming and climate
change will not be worsened from what it is at present.
Though in a word, the organic way may not be
the solution to all of the problems, as today there are many
debates on the issue of how organic food production can
have enough yield to feed global population. If it is not
sufficient, will we be able to avoid genetically modified
organisms (GMO)? Or if it is a last resort for the organic
approach to compromise their greenness to GMOs way in
order to gain food security for the world in the long term?
These issues may not be finalized yet as concerns on
consumers health, environment, ecosystem and evolution
in the long term have to be taken into consideration.
Perhaps, those unanswered impact may need some time
for every party to work together in order to come up with
the best survival scheme. All in all, everything is left
to all of us to lend our hands in specifying a direction to
create future of this planets survival so that it can eternally
continue into the new days to come.
28 |
Towards Sustainability
conomics
rs of Asiaosf ECorporgate
Powethe Road Observin
e
e
r
Th le on Worth
Miracvernance
Go
30 |
. .

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Pipop Udorn
Executive Director, Human Resources Institute, Thammasat University
3
+ 3

3

20201

Brunai
Cambodia
Indonesia
Laos
Malaysia
Myanmar

Philippines
Singapore
Vietnam
Thailand
Peoples Republic of China
Japan

Republic of Korea or South Korea
32 |

2

3
Three partner countries of ASEAN

according to cooperation framework ASEAN Plus Three - include China, Japan
and the Republic of Korea. Undoubtedly, these
three countries are a vital cog that will build
economic miracle of Asia in the next decade.
Especially, it is anticipated that Chinas GDP
will overtake USA and will be the worlds
largest by 2020.1
49
China
Japan
55
45
: CG Watch 2012: Market Rankings (ACGA), 10 2555

Source: CG Watch 2012: Market Rankings by Asian Corporate Governance Agency (ACGA) on 10 September 2012
All the negative factors mentioned above result

in distrust and an establishment of independent
mechanism which shall not be under supervision of
the executives or companys directors to scrutinize
performance of management of the business.
The mechanisms in each of those countries appear
to feature both similarities and differences.
58
Scores of
Corporate
Governance
Compared among
Thailand, China,
Japan and South
Korea
South Korea
Interestingly, if we thoroughly consider each

particular country, we will find similarities of
the factors affecting corporate governance of all
of these three nations. These negative factors can
also be seen in Thailand so we can assume that
these phenomena may be common factors for
many countries in Asia3 i.e.
The government still holds largest share in
major listed companies.
Politicians still have connections with a number
of listed companies.
Cross shareholdings between various listed
companies.
Large shareholding concentrations of the families
which founded the companies.
Misspending according to the regulations
or objectives, especially failure to separate
business expense and personal expense
of executives.
Unreliable accounting system as well as a lack
of effective mechanism to manage disclosure of
financial information.
The state of being not truly independent of
independent directors and independent
agencies in the justice process.
Thailand
However, on corporate governance assessment,

it is found that all of China, Japan and Korea ranked
lower than Thailand. Particularly, the scores of China
and Japan were lower than previous year. The scores
at that level reflect sensitivity of economic stability in
the future because we cannot overlook the fact that
part of the major economic crisis in the past is due
to failure of corporate governance.2

2 4 (Board of Directors)

c
i
l
b

(Audit Committee)
pu
es Re
l
p
o
e
P hina
(Nomination Committee)
fC
o

(Remuneration

Committee)

(Risk Management Committee)
(Supervisory Board)

2 2

China requires that at the General Meeting of shareholders of listed companies,

two high-level boards4 need to be appointed. Namely, the Board of Directors is responsible
for specifying policy and supervising executives. The Board can appoint various committees
of directors to supervise management for instance, Audit Committee, Nomination Committee,
Remuneration Committee and Risk Management Committee.
Another top executive committee is a Supervisory Board which has accountability
to ensure that the directors and executives comply with the laws, regulations and serves
as a committee that has the rights to examine financial situation of the company.
However, the appointment of two high-level boards or two boards seem to create
subsequent problems due to the nature of work as it appears to be fault-finding in addition
to conflict of interest and benefit. Nevertheless, this type of management is an important
step of China in moving towards corporate governance in a concrete manner which will be
a strong foundation for ongoing development into the future.
oards
B
l
e
v
le
Highf-the Listeidn
o anies
Comp ina
Ch
ral S
Gene
al
Speci
34 |
s
ector
of Dir
d
r
a
o
B
Comm
ittees
lic
Repuobrea or
of Kth Korea
Sou
Japan
eting
rs Me
olde
hareh
isory
uperv
Board
ent
gem
Mana
lders
ho
Stake

5
/

Apart from attempt to make every listed company

appoint independent directors5 to be under
the Companys board of directors, South Korea also
requires the company to set up an independent
supervisory board consisting of representatives of
majority and minority shareholders and creditor
representative to supervise management of the company.
In addition to safeguard interest of the non-management,
it helps increase vigilance of decision making process
of management. Because this mechanism enables
management to realize that they are being watched
and they have to manage their work more cautiously.

Japan chooses not to appoint people to work in
the way of fault finding but instead prefers to emphasize
enforcement of rules and regulations designed for
corporate governance as well as consistent endeavor
to promote corporate governance as corporate culture.
In doing so, it does not only comply with a direction
of sustainable corporate governance of the company,
but also reduces additional cost from appointing more
committees like those in China and Korea.
In summary, though ASEAN and Asia

expect that these three major nations - China,
Japan and Korea - will be a propeller for
economic development of Asian Region,
we cannot deny that an uninterrupted growth
or a free from economic crisis depends on
level of corporate governance of prominent
businesses in these three countries which
unfortunately does not look reassuring
at present, especially China and Korea.
Hence, our dream of shifting world economic
power to the East again may not be that rosy
and needs to be closely observed.
1 Euromonitor International (2010), Top 10 Largest

Economies in 2020.
2 Sun, W., J. Stewart, & D. Pollard (2012),
A Systemic Failure of Corporate Governance:
Lessons from the On-going Financial Crisis,
The European Financial Review.
3 Rand Center for Corporate Ethics and Governance
(2008), The Evolution of Corporate Governance in
China. / Yang, J., J. Chi, and M. Young (2011),
A review of Corporate Governance in China,
Asian-Pacific Economic Literature. / Nam Il Chong
et al (1999), Corporate Governance in Korea, Yasui,
Takahiro (1999), Corporate Governance in Japan,
from Corporate Governance in Asia: A Comparative
Perspective Conference.
4 OECD (2011), Corporate Governance of Listed
Companies in China: Self-Assessment by the China
Securities Regulatory Commission, OECD Publishing.
5 Hyun, Oh-Seok (1999), Koreas Corporate
Governance System Under the Remedies,
from Corporate Governance in Asia: A Comparative
Perspective Conference.
Food for Thought
36 |
> :

212 250

>
Mister Tompkin a book
240 185

()
> () ()

256 230

> :

152 160

Timeless Simplicity: Creative Living in a Consumer Society

Author: John Lane Translator: Sodsai Kantiworapong
Publishing House: Suan Ngern Mee Ma Publishing House
Pages: 212 Price: 250 Baht
Simplicity is not destitution and parsimoniousness. But it is about
quitting unnecessities caused by endless needs from materialism.
Because of it, we are unable to realize when it is the time that possessing
less can bring about more happiness. This book explains the simplicity
in our way of living in the old days, principles and rationale, examples of
a number of people who live simple lives. It also includes thoughts of
various philosophers as a guideline for those who are willing to have
simplicity so that they can discover balance of simple lives according
to their own individual style.
Jingtanakarn
Author: Mister Tompkin Publishing House: a book
Pages: 240 Price: 185baht
Many things prove to be valid by principles but in practice they may
not always be the case. There are many magical stories or coincidences
that are beyond theories. Strong attachment to one particular thing may
hinder you from wealth of opportunities of learning. Obsession in science
can exist the same way as obsession in superstition. Do not forget that
there is not only one perspective in this world and the world does not
revolve around you. Looking at the world by not being too subjective as
a norm but rather think logically with principles combined with intuition
and common sense may bring about the truth (yet) to be proved by theory.
The world (does not) forget (un) important people
Author: Soranee Archawanantakul Publishing House: Sarakadee
Pages:256 Price:230baht
It is said that the value of people is judged by their work. In every era,
and society, there are many people who are forgotten despite their distinct
works. While some works which were once distinguished in the past
have now become something ordinary and some of the works are too
complicated for laymen to comprehend. Some of the works are not yet
complete or their creators had already passed away before receiving
honor. And some of the work or somewhat both hailed and disdained.
There are also works which are concealed and distorted by politics,
sex and race discrimination. Even some people do not bother to claim
their names for their works.
Peace is Every Breath: A Practice for Our Busy Lives
Author: Thich Nhat Hanh Translator: Jit Tantasatien
Publishing House: Free mind Pages: 152 Price: 160 baht
At Plum Village, people there pray in their minds all day for
themselves to be aware of the present and do activities in front of them
with focused consciousness. The consciousness is the heart of meditation
which leads to peace. In principle, raising consciousness can be done
all the time and it is not dependent upon time, place or activities. Just be
aware of what you are doing and your emotion at that particular moment.
Never wander into upcoming future which is not yet happening and do not
cling to the past. Everyone has a capacity to raise consciousness without
praying and can access meditation and peace.
38 |

Web Site Introduction
Any facebooker can just type useful information from insects in search box to

access the small world often ignored. Despite a not-large body, these living creatures

which have the highest population on the planet, have endless extraordinary stories.

Close-up photos and insightful stories will change the way you look at the insects.

It is possible that you may want to change your mind and think of raising caterpillar

and pay more attention when watching trees and grass, digging up soil in the plant pots

and install micro lens or take a microscope with you all the time.
www.facebook.com/ILoveInsects
www.everyday-reader.com

()

This is a relaxing corner telling all sorts of stories in unlimited ways and topics.

Name it, funny, mysterious, scary, frantic, amazingly strange or even academic

papers are found here. Despite its unfocused topic, all of the stories are uniquely

interesting. They are unknown and unimaginable for instance, the toys that are

(not planned to be) scary, the mysterious death of writer of mysterious stories, a house

hiding traps, a heaven of cats and others. If you still have doubt after reading, you can

check the references at the end of stories right away.
www.sac.or.th

3
Though the name of the Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn Anthropology Center

may sound serious creating an overly studious student atmosphere, not to mention

its mission to focus on academic services for the use of study of sociology and

anthropology, the Center has more than stories of ethics and people in the past.

The studies of the Center also capture follow-up issues in the limelight of society

such as ASEAN, narcotics, gambling, third gender, and soap opera after the news.

Certainly, it sensibly presents those topics.
Within Education
40 |
Education compass to ASEAN
60
600 2

Can economy force derived by the formation of the ASEAN

members enable Thailand with its 60 million Thai people to increase
more bargaining power for the ASEAN which will have a total
population of around 600 million people? Because if compared to
the two world largest nations i.e. China and India, ASEAN population
will account for almost half of the population of China or half of those
of India, respectively. What is the role of education sector
and how can it strengthen ASEAN community?
42 |
Apart from development according to agreed

declaration, the education sector needs to
develop learning skills for the 21st Century in
areas of connection, creativity and cooperation
to better quality of Thai youth.
8
2510

2535

30
2540
2020 (ASEAN
Vision 2020)
Development of ASEAN
Following the signing of
theBangkok Declaration on
8 August 1967, the Association of
Southeast Asian Nations or ASEAN
was inaugurated. The founding
countries members consisted of
Republic of Indonesia, Republic of
the Philippines, Malaysia, Republic
of Singapore and Thailand had
a joint effort to cooperate in the areas
of politics, security, economy
and culture in order to pursue unity
of the region.
Subsequently, in 1992 when
Thailand was under the leadership
of Mr. Anand Panyarachun,
Prime Minister, he proposed to
the leaders of ASEAN at that time
for the establishment of ASEAN Free
TradeArea (AFTA) as an endeavor
to negotiate to reduce tariff, open
up new market and promote joint
market and to promote international
investment among ASEAN members.
Stepping up in globalization
era with new superpower nations China and India, while facing new
threats such as epidemic, terrorists,
human trafficking, environmental
issue, natural disasters and others,
the leaders of ASEAN are obliged
to pursue effectiveness from more
participation of their own people in
order to create opportunities and
21

enhance competitiveness
and bargaining power.
On the occasion of the 30th
anniversary of ASEAN founded
in 1997, the leaders of ASEAN
endorsed ASEAN Vision 2020.
With concerted agreement, they
shared a joint vision of becoming
a concert of the Southeast Asian
Nations, an outward-looking
ASEAN and seeking to enjoy living
in a peaceful and prosperous
environment. In addition, they aim
to have a partnership in dynamic
development and become
a community with caring societies.
In 2003, ASEAN leaders agreed
unanimously to establish ASEAN
community based on threepillars:
ASEAN Political-Security Community ASC, ASEAN Economic Community AEC and ASEAN Socio-Cultural
Community - ASCC within 2020.
Later at the ASEAN Summit
Conference in Cebu, Republic of
the Philippines, ASEAN leaders
agreed to accelerate a process
of building a complete ASEAN
community by the year 2015 to
allow the ASEAN community
formed 45 years earlier to succeed
concretely and exhibit more powerful
role on the world arena full of
opportunities.
Of all the mentioned three pillars
designed to be pivotal structure,
ASCC is the pillar given the least
importance by Thai society despite
the fact that it features connectivity of
spirit, feeling, thoughts, way of living,
visitation and ideas exchange for
the common ground of both society
and culture. Those require a formation
of community sharing the same
common vision and identity to be
able to integrate diversity in order
to become one gradually. Therefore,
the action cannot be executed for
achievement in a short period because
developing people to have common
awareness and ASEAN identity
amidst diversity needs everyone
to step forward together in the same
direction so as to build environment
together for building quality ASEAN
community as expected.
2546
(ASEAN Political-Security
Community - ASC)
(ASEAN Economic
Community - AEC)
- (ASEAN
Socio-Cultural Community - ASCC)
2563
12

2558
45
15

23 - 25
2552
-

1.

(Southeast Asia School Principals

Forum: SEA-SPF)
Mechanism in creating
the youth to become
ASEAN members
Thailand was honored to
host the 15th ASEAN Summit
and related Summits in Hua Hin
District, Prachuap Khiri Khan and
in Cha-am District, Phetchaburi from
23 - 25 October 2009. At the Summit,
Cha-am Declaration took birth with
an aim to strengthencooperation
on educationto achieve
anASEANCaring and Sharing
Community. The essence of
the declaration is as follows:
1. Role of education sector in

political and security pillar
ASEAN will promote better
understanding and appreciation of
the ASEAN Charter through
the school curriculum on ASEAN
and disseminate the ASEAN Charter
which has been translated into
ASEAN national languages. It will
render greater emphasis on the
principles of democracy, respect for
human rights and peace-oriented
values in the school curriculum;
in addition to promote better
understanding and appreciation of
different cultures, customs and faiths
in the region among teachers through
training and exchange programs
and establishment of an online
database on this subject. It will
conduct a regular school leaders
forum as a platform for exchanging
views on various regional issues
in ASEAN, build their capacity
and networking and acknowledge
the existing Southeast Asia School
Principals Forum (SEA-SPF).
economic pillar
ASEAN will develop national
skills framework in ASEAN Member
States as an incremental approach
towards an ASEAN skills recognition
framework. It will promote greater
mobility of students by developing
a regional catalogue of information
materials of education offered in
ASEAN Member States; support
greater mobility of skilled workers in
2.

3.

44 |

( 8 )

the ASEAN region through regional

cooperation mechanisms among
ASEAN Member States to be
accompanied by efforts to safeguard
and improve educational and
professional standards.
In addition, it will develop
an ASEAN competency-based
occupational standard aimed at
supporting the development of
ASEAN human resources that are
regionally and globally competitive
and meet the needs of industries in
coordination with the ASEAN Labor
Ministers Meeting (ALMM) process.
socio-cultural pillar
Develop a common content
on ASEAN for schools as a reference
for teacher training and teaching;
Offer graduate courses
on ASEAN arts and cultures in
universities;
Offer ASEAN languages as
optional foreign language subjects in
schools;
Promote regional outreach
programs aimed at raising ASEAN
awareness among Youth and
acknowledge the existing outreach
programs, such as the ASEAN
Schools Tour, ASEAN Student
Exchange Program, ASEAN Youth
Cultural Forum, ASEAN University
Youth Summit, AUN Educational
Forum and Young Speakers Contest
Promote life-long learning in
ASEAN Member States in support of
the Education for All (EFA);
Establish an ASEAN
educational research convention to
promote collaborative research
and development (R&D) in the region
and as a platform for researchers
from Member States to exchange
views on various regional issues
and concerns;
Promote better understanding
and awareness of various
environmental issues and concerns
in the ASEAN region by integrating it
in school curriculum and presenting
ASEAN Green School awards;
Cooperation of politics - security, economy, and society - culture

with a sense of unity of ASEAN can be realized only by an important
mechanism i.e. an education sector to create quality ASEAN citizen.
- -

54

21

(Connect)

IT
(Create)

(Collaborate)

Celebrate the ASEAN Day

(8 August) preferably in the month of
August in schools through various
activities, such as singing the ASEAN
Anthem, conducting a competition
on ASEAN history and cultures,
displaying ASEAN emblem and
other iconic elements, organising
an ASEAN youth camp, ASEAN youth
festival and ASEAN childrens day.
Additionally, they agree that
ASEAN Member States should
consider sharing their resources
and consider establishing a regional
education development fund to
ensure adequate financial support to
implement the recommended actions.
All of these are commitment
and obligation of ASEAN members
in strengthening education to realize
an ASEAN Community of Actions,
a Community of Connectivity and
a Community of and for the Peoples
of ASEAN.
The blueprint is now ready for
building the future that we dream of.
Thai Ministry of Education is starting
to develop potentials of students,
standard, preparation of liberalization
by establishing 54 secondary schools
along the border line as well as
establishing ASEAN study Center to
distribute information and knowledge
about ASEAN at the schools which
are ready. Concurrently the task to
build community awareness is now
in process.
Apart from the above
ASEAN declarations on education,
the building of learning skills in
the 21st Century is essential for
becoming ASEAN people. Those
include connecting skills through
languages i.e. both native and
ASEAN languages, medium language
which is English and IT language,
creative skills to solve problems,
analyze in order to create quality
people and collaborative skills to
think and carry out together and unite
to learn and work on the projects
for Thai youth which need to move
forward on this long journey so as to
finally realize this dream.
Universe and the Unthinkables
46 |
5

98
100 - 1,000

Aside from the Earths five massive extinction events in the world history, extinction of living organism is
virtually a natural process which evolves all the time. Based on preliminary evidence, scientists believe that
over98% of documented species are nowextinct. The experts assessed that the rate of extinction caused by
Homo Sapiens, is 100 - 1,000 times greater than the expected natural rate. However, some living organisms are
not at all intimidated by such extinction.
(Planaria)

(Platyhelminthes)

(Thomas Hunt Morgan)
(Nobel Prize in Medicine or
Physiology) 2476
279 (
10,000 ) 279
2
(Stem Cell)

(Cambrian Period)
530
(Tardigrades) (Waterbear)
Johann
August Ephraim Goeze 2316
Tardigrada
1,000
0.1 - 1.5

() 4 4

Extinction of living organism

is virtually a natural process which
evolves all the time. Based on
preliminary evidence,
scientists believe that over
98
%
of documented species
are nowextinct.
48 |
Being disgusting in the eyes of fish tank owners,

non-parasitic planarians which somehow look like one
are among those. These flatworms under Platyhelminthes
phylum are mostly found in freshwater habitat and able
to reproduce both sexually and asexually. They are able
to reproduce asexually because they can regenerate all
parts of the body. Thomas Hunt Morgan, was awarded
theNobelPrize in Physiology or Medicine from his
discovery of the roles of chromosome in 1933. He found
that the 279 chopped planarians (each had approximately
10,000 cells) could regenerate back to 279 complete
organisms within two weeks. Simply put, the planarians
have originating cells similar to stem cells which can
stimulate regenerations of all organs for the rest of their
lives. The fish tank owners should be warned that no matter
how mad they are with these shameless planarians which
prefer to be in a fish tank, they should not chop them.
According to 530-million-year fossils evidence,
Tardigrade or commonly known as water bear is another
species of organism that has endured every condition since
Cambrian Period. The first Tardigrade was first discovered
by the zoologist, Johann August Ephraim Goeze in 1773.
As it did not belong to any existing phylum, it got its own
phylum - Tardigrada. Since then, over 1,000 species were
already documented. Although their body are usually only
0.1 - 0.15 millimeters, their internal organs such as eyes,
oesophagus, stomach, and ovary, are quite complex.
Their body (not including head) consists of four segments,
four pairs of long legs with sharp scary claws resembling
those of bears. They are found in various shapes such as
stout, round and cylindrical. In addition, they can reproduce
and increase species in every area throughout every
continent in the world such as light air pressure on the top
of mountains from the Himalayas above 6,000 meters to
the deep sea below 4,000 meters. They do not mind living
on land, in freshwater, sea, hot pools, underground, on
isolated islands or at human residence, etc. They can also
withstand every kind of weather i.e. extremely cold weather
or boiling hot at the equator. Some species survive for one
minute at close to absolute zero or -273 C and many days
at -200 C and also many minutes at high temperatures of
151 C. They can also withstand radiation i.e. 1,000 times
than humans. After being tested, they are found to return
to live when rehydrated after 10 years of hibernation.
Most of the water bears which traveled to the space for
over 10 days with FOTON - M3 in 2007 could survive after
return to the planet. Some could even lay eggs. That is to
say, even when the world is under water, steps into ice age,
volcano erupts or nuclear war takes place, it is certain that
there will be some species of water bear that can survive.
Among many survivors, the most enviable one is
Turritopsis nutricular. Because not only they can live
long and never grow old unlike ordinary jelly fish with
short lifespan and shortly die after mating, the Turritopsis
nutricular can revert to a juvenile form after becoming
sexually matured through a transdifferentiation process -

6,000
4,000

1
(-273 C) -200 C
151 C

10 FOTON - M3 2550

Turritopsis nutricula

Turritopsis nutricula
Transdifferentiation

()
4.5

65

7,000

Doomsday Clock
12

...
98
a cell development process. Scientists believe that

the process can go on indefinitely and thus enable them
to become immortal and never grow old (as long as they
are not eaten). Hence, the number of 4.5-millimeter-jellyfish
which originate in the Caribbean are now increasing
exponentially in every water region in the temperate
zones of the world.
The latest massive extinct 65 million years ago ended
the heyday of Dinosaurs and allowed other mammals to
evolve with humans being on the top of the chain. Though
there are over 7,000 million people and it seems that
we are not even close to extinction according to the natural
process yet, we already feel too gloomy with various
predictions of Doomsday, diseases, natural disasters,
change ofthe geomagnetic field, Nibiru Planet crashing
the world, nuclear war, chemicals and biological weapons,
and others. As the long hand Doomsday Clock will strike
number 12 in any minute, the qualifications of minuscule
living organisms in terms of ability to regenerate new parts,
living young eternally, and withstand every condition, make
people like us turn green with envy. Many researchers
hope to unlock mystery of the process to help humans
become alive for 80,000 years. Just in case, our world
collapses, we may be able to move to other planet as
we wish.
:
Doomsday Clock @ 10 2012 23.55 .
Note: People today are classified as Homo Sapien species. The latest
time of Doomsday Clock was set at 11.55 p.m. on 10 January 2012.
80,000 years is an age of humans in the era of Metteya.
Point of View
Green Energy:
A Balance Leading to Sustainability
50 |

13 2555 Green Energy Forum:

.
()

(.) .
. ()
.
In the future, green energy will be

a silver lining for economy and
human development and especially
for the world environment.
Amidst the clouds of worry about energy concern
towards dwindling energy from under earths surface,
the world has yet to worry about climate change or
the commonly-known global warming. It has signaled
various alarming forms that we witness every minute.
Somehow, as the development of the world and human
society is heavily reliant upon energy, expedition
for substitute energy that is environmentally friendly
or green energy may be an answer to balance between
the development and coexistence of the world and every
living creature.
A role of green energy is already more prominent
in several countries, while Thailand which has to import
oil products, has to adjust its strategy to be ready for
the future. Whether the road towards green energy of
Thailand will be bright or gloomy, it is in hand of every
party to work together in brainstorming and taking
action. Hence, various seminars of this particular
issue are held. Among them was the seminar under
the topic of Roadmap of Thai Energy Towards Green
Energy, organized by Krungthep Turakij Newspaper
in conjunction with PTT Plc. on 13 December 2012
at the Green Energy Forum: Green Energy towards
Sustainability. Speakers from various sectors such as
Mr. Natee Tabmanee, Deputy Director General of
the Office of Energy Policy and Planning, Dr. Pailin
Chuchottaworn, President and CEO of PTT Plc.
and Prof. Dr.PraipolKoomsup, Lecturer, Faculty of
Economics, Thammasat University joined the discussion.
.

.

5

Demand Side Supply Side
52 |
After scrutinizing other countries, we can reflect

upon our Thailand to investigate how we have laid out
a goal to develop green energy. Mr. Natee said that
overall, on a global level, the community has agreed to
cooperate in cutting down energy consumption in order
to maintain temperature of the world not to go higher than
it is at present. This is dependent upon two main factors
i.e. energy efficiency and use of renewable energy.
As for Thailand, it has designated a roadmap of green
energy under a macro strategic framework of national
development with a goal to build environmentally-friendly
growth. Cooperation among many sectors to work under
the same vision is thus indispensable.
Prof. Dr. Praipol added that if Thailand wishes
to see success in green energy development the same
way other countries are experiencing, three main
mechanisms need to be put in place. Those include
dedication of the government to seriously promote
it through a number of incentives such as tax measures,
financial support to promote private sector and people to
participate and lastly, technology. Although Thailand may
not be a leader, it should somehow appropriately apply
technology from overseas and the government should
lend additional support in research and development.
Dr. Pailin offered his view that in developing
alternative energy, we may be not on the same par
as Scandinavian countries or leaders of renewable
energy, but at Asian level, Thailand can be considered
more advanced than other countries. Therefore,
it is necessary for Thailand to move forward. PTT as
the organization which is entrusted with the task of
enhancing energy security, has thus specified our
business direction to conduct environmentally-friendly
business. This commitment can be seen in our products,
process and awareness building among employees
and people on this aspect, pursuit of mechanism to
absorb carbon as well as our dedication to produce
more alternative energy by the next 5 years. However,
balance creation between development and energy
consumption is also paramount. If the energy is very
inexpensive, the consumption will surge and global
warming will get even worse. At the same time, without
energy to consume, people cannot survive. A task to
balance between these two sides - demand and supply is thus challenging.

. .
Supply Side
Rate of Return
Creating balance of sustainable

development is a challenge for mankind.
For many countries, green energy is
among various answers that has been
executed for today and the future.
Upon consideration an appropriate level of

the proportion of green energy development in Thailand,
Prof. Dr. Praipol shared his opinion that majority of
alternative energy of Thailand comes from agricultural
sector and waste of agricultural products such as sugar,
tapioca, rice husk, tapioca rhizome and corn stalk as well
as manure from livestock. Apart from the development
by the government and private sector, the government
itself should assist the community to be self-reliant
on energy as well. As the raw materials are owned by
farmers or the communities; when they produce and
make use of them in the area, the cost of transportation
can be eliminated. Its waste after using can also be
used as organic fertilizer. The community can use clean
energy and sustainability in their means of living can be
realized. Nevertheless, in addition to their role of energy
production, the people have an important role as
an energy user. Significantly, do not search for
supplyonly, as what can replace fossil fuels best is to
economize. It is an investment which gives higher rate
of return than producing various types of renewable
energy.
Dr. Pailin, who also agreed with this aspect, left
his final note that energy users should review their right
and duties At present, we often talk about rights to
use all kinds of energy. In fact, our rights and duties
are to conserve energy for the next generation. Energy
conservation is a duty of all of us. It is high time for Thai
society to become a civilized society to make a decision
on energy. Namely, what we decide to do today should
not be based upon good benefits that we gain today
only, instead we have to take into consideration the best
interest of our descendents as well.
...
Innovative Power to Thrive in Crisis

Khuan Khreng Swamp Forest:
Raising Awareness and Cultivating Richness of Forest
54 |

2555

5 ()

2505

354,339 3
7

56 |
Despite the end of wildfire in Khuan Khreng

Swamp Forest along with blazing fuel in
mid August 2012, a dangerous sign of fire
flame still does not fade away. It reminds
villagers in Nakhon Si Thammarat, Songkhla
and Phatthalung, a location of Khuan Khreng
Swamp Forest to realize that they should
act as eyes and ears for the government
to prevent wildfire from occurring and
spreading out again. If they do not lend
a hand to protect the forest, this fertile
Khuan Khreng Swamp Forest, now
deteriorating by the hands of people would
be the once-rich forest in the past only.
Sawetchat Boon-ming, Forestry Technical Officer,
DirectorofRoyal InitiativeProject Division, the Protected
AreasRegional Office5(Nakhon Si Thammarat) talked
about the condition of Khuan Khreng Swamp Forest in
the past according to a story from the elderly in the area
that In the past, Khuan Khreng Swamp Forest was rich of
diverse wildlife and valuable plants as same as To Daeng
Swamp Forest, Narathiwat Province. When there was no
road, villagers had to row boats to the area to collect wild
products as food and cut wood to build houses. In 1962,
when Harriet Tropical storm hit Taloompuk Peninsula,
lot of valuable big trees, which has many layers, were
broken down. Swamp forest in the wetland area then
was degraded. Everywhere turned dry and wildfire struck
again and again. The area that used to keep water all year
became flooded during the rainy season. The precious
trees were replaced by Cajeput Trees that can grow well in
the Swamp Forest after it is burned down and degraded.
But Cajeput Forest is a single layer tree, the water-holding
capacity is reduced. During dry season or rain break,
people burned weed in farming plots and trees in forest
area to catch fish because after the water in the swamp
forest dried out, the fish gathered in the area where there
was water. If weed or grass is abundant, the fish cannot
be seen. The burning of forest wais for convenience in
catching fish. But the fire spread to the forest and covered
a large area. The problem was sometimes serious and
sometimes not but it took place for many decades.
DirectorofRoyal InitiativeProject Division continued
to explain, The villagers means of living in the past which
depended on wild products and selling fish all year round
as well as collecting sedge to make basketry for sale in
many provinces and nearby changed when the swamp
forest was degraded. The forest area became a rice field,
farming areas were raised for rubber tree and oil palm
plantation. Some villagers who earned less money moved
out and did some other jobs. Some sold their land to
investors who came to the area to run oil palm plantation
which required water drainage for this purpose. In addition,
forged document problems occurred and some illegally
produced document of title for the swamp forest area.
16 2545

10

1

The 354,339-rai forest covers seven districts in

three provinces: Chian Yai, Hua Sai, Cha-uat, Chaloem
Phra Kiat, Ron Phibun in Nakhon Si Thammarat Province;
some part of Ranot in Songkhla Province and some part
of Khuan Khanun in Phatthalung Province. It is thus
a challenge for only 100 officers of National Park,
Wildlife andPlantConservation Department to supervise
and safeguard the area; but everyone is ready to fully
commit to their mission. In addition, Fire Tiger Unit,
an ad-hoc unit of the National Park, Wildlife andPlant
Conservation Department is founded by public-spirited
local people who volunteer to face with risky and tough job
of extinguishing wildfire. The Fire Tiger Unit has to undergo
training to boost capacity in order to prepare fitness
and field training of wildfire extinguishment. They also
have to learn about technology of Geographic Information
System so that they are able to know the area where
wildfire is taking place. Thus they will be able to prepare
every equipment for the mission which is not limited in their
own area since when wildfire occurs in other areas, the Fire
Tiger Unit is also willing to tirelessly carry out their work.
The villagers are indeed essential supplementary
force because they can be eyes and ears for the officers.
Some of them also take part in reviving the forest by
plantings pioneering trees or original swamp forest fruits
to grow together with Cajupet trees in order to rehabilitate
degraded swamp forest to return to its original fertile state
like before. Though it takes time to improve the area,
the ability to revive this forest area again will help
not only the life of people but also life of wild animals
and forest to return to the forest - an ecosystem with
biological diversity and a source of natural resources
that have to be conserved as always.
His Majesty the King graciously granted his royal
initiatives on the area of water management in the swamp
forest on 16 November 2002 which can be summarized
as follows: take into consideration the construction of
a WaterLevel Regulatorin Khuan Khreng Swamp Forest
to control water at an appropriate level so as to prevent
wildfire in the Swamp Forest. The water level must be at
least 10 cms above the whole forest. Therefore, when
draining out the water or pump the water out of Swamp
Forest to use for agricultural purpose, we must consider
the level of the forest area. Because whenever the water
dwindles to the level when fire can take place, the forest
revival activities will just be a waste. We have to start
counting 1 again., said DirectorofRoyal InitiativeProject
Division.
If we do not want to see the depletion of swamp forest
in Thailand, every party needs to join hand in seriously
taking care of the forest. The government has to rigorously
enforce the law while business and people have to look
after the forest and discourage illegal activities. They must
have awareness that the forest does not belong to any
particular individual or group but the forest is a national
asset and future of children of Thailand.
Power for Sustainable Future
58 |
2556

3 3
60 |
62 |
64 |
. ()

. () 21 1
- 2556
:

:
. ,
. ,
.
:

. ()
:

:
23,000
:

. ()

Objective :

To serve as channels to convey new

perspectives, both domestic and overseas,
through academic articles, which may be
another alternative solution problems in
the Thai society without any persuasive comment
or criticism. PTT Public Company Limited,
as a member of the Thai society, wishes to be
a medium in presenting a new alternative
to the public for social and national benefits.
A quarterly journal of PTT Public Company
Limited Vol. 21 No. 1 January - March 2013
Honorary Consultant :
Dr. Pailin Chuchottaworn
Consultant Board:
Prof. Dr. Rawi Bhavilai,
Prof. Dr. Nithi Ieosriwong,
Asst. Prof. Dr. Sittipong Dilokwanich
Editorial Staff :
Corporate Branding and Policy Development
Division, Corporate Communications
Department, PTT Public Company Limited
Information, Design and Production :
Plan Grafik Co., Ltd.
No. Printed :
23,000
N.B. :
Opinions expressed in Power The Thought
are solely those of the writers and are not
necessarily endorsed by PTT Public Company
Limited. Reproduction in any manner, in whole
or part, of text, photograph or illustration,
is allowed with acknowledgement.
555 10900
: 66 (0) 2537 2163 : 66 (0) 2537 2171
555 Vibhavadi Rangsit Rd., Khwaeng Chatuchak,
Khet Chatuchak, Bangkok 10900, Thailand
Tel. : 66 (0) 2537 2163 Fax : 66 (0) 2537 2171
www.pttplc.com

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21 1 - 2556

Vol. 21 No. 1 January - March 2013

Three Powers of Asias Economic

Power the Thought World

When global warming affects

A role of education in developing

Khuan Khreng Swamp Forest:

The First Word

We cannot deny a prominent role of economic sector

Power The Thought | 01

Power the Thought World

Global warming is no longer foreign for us as

Global warming is not just a rising temperature. This

How do we come to this point?

Power The Thought | 05

Change can take place when the mind says so.

Everyone can change the world

I always say that everything has two sides:

Power The Thought | 09

The question is not

All over the place,

Correct and moderate

As people alive today,

Those who are

What kind of clock

The first thing we must

Power The Thought | 11

When we ask ourselves

Sorting garbage, and

It is pretty cool this time;

Stop engine when parking

Riding a bike and take

Using NGV car

Using a cloth bag.

16-year-old Student, Mattayom 4,

Go camping and cooking

Always eat everything on

13-year-old Student, Mattayom 1,

Power The Thought | 13

Know the Thinker

Knowing the real happiness:

The natural disaster and fluctuations in weather we witness today are

Power The Thought | 15

A number of countries try to impose measures,

Taken into consideration the saying

It turns out that to solve an issue of

What should we do if we have to live in

or public mind. Namely, we have to allow our mind to

Lord of Buddha taught the monks to

How do we train the children not to be

Few years ago, a documentary film - An Inconvenient Truth,

Power The Thought | 21

Short tempered-hot plate-global warming

Sir Nicholas Stern

Mr. Visit Limprana,

As a consequence, Sir Nicholas Stern, former World

of limited natural resources is planned to be optimized

Ms. Kingkorn Narintornkul Na Ayutthaya,

Power The Thought | 25

We may try to look back to the origin that

Other questions also concern labor in farming areas

The seed of starting to change the world will be passed on

GMOs (Genetically Modified Organisms)