Human Security and Thai NGO & Governmental Roles

Abstract

The concept of human security emerged in response to global tragedies and social upheavals, along with the rise of globalisation, economic co-operation and growth areas. Recent threats of globally organised terrorism add to the current problems faced by the international community. Although these may not be new problems, modern communication and transportation have effectively interconnected the world in ways that were unimaginable just a century ago. Today, a problem in one country can and often does spill over into a neighbouring country and may affect an entire region or even the entire international community. Countries face situations in which even internal and inter-country disputes may now bring about outside intervention. During and before the Cold War, these disputes were almost the sole concern of the governmental authority of that particular country. Human security calls for international co-operation and involvement of non-state actors such as international organisations and non-governmental organisations (NGOs) in dealing with these problems.

 In this paper, human security issues in Thailand and how NGO-government relations bear on the human security issue will be discussed. Although Thailand may have achieved stable and rapid economic growth over the past three decades, human security problems abound, as most of the created wealth is concentrated in the Bangkok Metropolitan Region (BMR). Moreover, income inequality between the urban and rural areas has been worsening with many if not most people living in the rural areas still “lacking basic amenities such as toilet facilities, piped water, and electricity” (Girling 1996: 72). In addition to poverty in the rural areas, AIDS is prevalent especially in the North and Northeastern provinces. Insurgencies still occur along the Thai- Burmese border. Compared to other GMS countries, Thailand has a vibrant civil society with active NGOs, but it was only after the Cold War that they became more active on issues concerning the environment and poverty alleviation.