Thailand and the Convention on Biological Diversity: Non-governmental Organizations Enter the Debate

　

Jak Sangchai

　

Abstract

　

        In Chapter 10, Jak Sangchai examines Thailand’s policy toward the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD). Thai politics are often described as being dominated by bureaucrats. The government wants to join the CBD because it contains provisions for financial aid and technology transfer, and could help conserve Thailand’s biodiversity. However, since the late 1980s there have been an increasing number of Thai NGOs claiming to represent the people and trying to influence government policies. NGOs can use environmental issues to further their objectives, such as promoting the rights of the poor, farmers and local communities. Some Thai NGOs view the CBD as a trap set by developed countries and transnational companies wishing to take advantage of rural people and the poor. Sangchai describes the struggles among the government and other actors as Thailand debates whether to implement the CBD. He shows, in particular, how NGOs can be active in shaping national policies toward international environmental goals, and how they use environmental issues to promote their own particularistic interests.