By Roy Lie A Tjam.
H.E. Ittiporn Boonpracong, Ambassador for the Kingdom of Thailand to the Netherlands welcomed fellow Ambassadors, a Thai parliamentarian and friends to the Thai Residence for “An Evening with Dr. Surin Pitsuwan to share experiences on Sustainable Development” on Tuesday 20 October 2015.
Dr. Surin Pitswan is a former ASEAN Secretary-General and former Minister of Foreign Affairs of Thailand.
In a vivid introduction by the host Ambassador Ittiporn Boonpracong, highlighted Dr, Surin Pitsuwan’s impressive palmarès. The guest of honor subsequently delivered an appealing expose. With his deep warm voice, posture and calmness, the orator Pitsuwan captured and retained the attention of his audience.
Dr.Pitsuwan disclosed, Sufficient Economy Philosophy (SEP) is the brainchild of Thailand enlightened monarch H.M. King Bhumobol.The philosophy, is focused on living a moderate, self-dependent life without greed or overexploitation of natural resources.
Dr. Pitsuwan stated, SEP could serve as a model to many communities, states and countries around the world looking for an alternative way of moving forward in the process of globalization. According to Dr. Pitsuwan there is no one size fit all, each community should look at what is suitable.
Dr. Pitsuwan a savvy on the matter, elaborated on the impacts of the philosophy in promoting sustainable development among people, entrepreneurs and governments.
He touched on the scarcity of water, depleted water basins. Water is an essential commodity in agriculture, He furthermore stressed that farmers in the Thai highland should return to their plots and cultivate edible crops instead of growing illicit drugs that is causing havoc in Europe and elsewhere.
Sufficient Economy Philosophy is one way to eradicate poverty. It is instrumental in conserving our environment, combat crime and get out of debt.
Dr Pitsuwan urged the Ambassadors and diplomats present to report to their government back home. Ambassadors he says are in a privileged position to bring about global changes such eradication of poverty and the saving of our planet.
Earlier the same day The Hague Institute was pleased to welcome Dr. Surin Pitsuwan, Chairman of Future Innovative Thailand Institute, for a discussion on The Sufficiency Economy Philosophy: Contribution to the Post-2015 Sustainable Development Agenda.
The evening with the illustrious Dr. Surin Pitsuwan concluded with a Q&A session and the traditional Thai hospitality, a buffet.
