Oxfam's work in Thailand in depth

In Thailand, Oxfam focuses on food and income security, access to quality health care, and protection for vulnerable groups in conflict areas.

The context

As an East Asian middle income country, Thailand’s relatively high economic growth over the past three decades has resulted in reduced levels of absolute poverty and improved living standards for a large number of its citizens.

However, the flip side of this financial prosperity is the highly uneven and unequal pattern of income distribution, with one of the highest-rising income gaps between rich and poor in East Asia.  Political conflicts often hamper development and economic growth.

The majority of the rural population are still living just above the poverty line.  Half of Thailand's population of 30 million people relies on farming and fishing for their livelihoods.  Many are trapped in cycles of debt and are vulnerable to natural disasters and changes in supply and demand. In addition to this, several groups, including ethnic minorities, have become increasingly vulnerable to poverty.

Although Thailand is not a country prone to natural disasters, it has been experiencing an increase in both floods and droughts. The impact of environmental degradation and climate change has become more severe in recent years, and agricultural production has been reduced by rising temperatures and loss of moisture in the soil.  Chemical use in agricultural production worsens the situation and cause health problem to farmers.

How is Oxfam helping?

Oxfam has been working in Thailand since 1999 and opened an office in the country in 2003, working closely with partners in sustainable agriculture, advocacy on treatment and access to medicine for people living with HIV and AIDS, and labour and trade union rights.

Increased access to quality health care

Thailand is home to around 800,000 people living with HIV and AIDS. Drugs to help treat those with the virus can cost as much as double the average Thai monthly salary.

We support the Thai government’s national HIV and AIDS treatment programme to provide cheap, generic drugs to those in need. We also advocate for the improvement of existing health insurance scheme’s scope and coverage to ensure access for poor and marginalised people.

We also work with partner to provide training on how to prevent and treat the disease, as well as counselling to those diagnosed as HIV-positive. We continue to campaign globally for a change to world trade rules on drug patents which put essential medicines beyond the reach of poor people.

Food and income security

Oxfam works to build the resilience of small-scale female and male farmers/fishermen in coping with economic shocks and climate change.  Our focus is on increased economic opportunities for poor people, especially women.

Farmers are encouraged to produce diversified crops and use organic farming methods and irrigation techniques to help them cope with the changing climate and uncertain market prices.  These methods help secure small-scale farmers’ livelihood and income.  While their produce meet their own consumption needs, they are able to sell the surplus at community markets. We also work with partners to give Thai farmers advice on marketing their goods so that they can sell them for a fair price.

We also advocate for increased government support in climate change adaptation and pro-poor policy change that allows equitable access to natural resources.

Protection

Oxfam will start a project in 2010 to support women in the conflict areas in the south of Thailand, who are amongst the most vulnerable groups in Thailand. Women here face significant risks to their livelihoods, personal insecurity, and ongoing disruptions to family life that arise from the impact of the conflict in their immediate surroundings. 

 

Last updated: December 2009