Perspective on Environment/Natural Resources Statistics
(SNA Approach and Social Indicator Approach)
by
Damrongsak Chindakul
I. Development and Environment in Thailand
Over three decades of implementing economic development plans, Thai economy has been achieved as unbalanced growth with policy guidelines of; (1) growth oriented emphasized in potential sectors (2) import substitution and export oriented (3) economic stabilization through curbing inflation. To facilitate planning and development evaluation, National Economic and Social Development Board (NESDB) that playing role as central planning agency has established economic accounting system and promoting compilation of other relevant statistics in various government agencies.
From 1961 to 1990 Thai economy grew at 7.6% and about 3.2% deficit of current account balanced compared to GDP. In 1990s average growth was 8.6 % and current accounts deficit rose at 6% On expenditure side household con- sumption shared 72% - 77% and 62ｰ.4 - 64% in such periods respectively. Investment with shared 26% - 30% in the first period increased to 40% - 43 % in the later period. Saving-investment gap varied from 2% -8%. Inflation in 1990s was 4% - 6 %.
Thailand has experienced as other resources-based developing countries has in over exploited of natural resources and failure in protection and conser- vation. Sharp decrease of forest area from 64% of total land area in 1961 to 26% in 1996 while vulnerable agricultural land, losses of head waters and biodiversity has been increasing. As a result of industrial development, urban pollution deteriorated not only economic well-being but also depressed social problems.
