Not just “Creative Economy,” but “Knowledge-Based Economy”

Recently, I expressed my view on “Creative Economy” which is an important economic policy of this government. Personally, my perspective was to first understand the direction of global social development in terms of seven waves from which the world is now poised for the “Fourth Wave,” a “Knowledge-Based Society,” led by innovators who can maximally utilize their knowledge toward daily living that is both productive and highly innovative. If Thailand wants to develop and benefit from this global development trend, the Thai government will have to ride on “The Fourth Wave,” as a Knowledge-Based Economy (Society), not just as a Creative Economy.

A Knowledge-Based Economy differs from a Creative Economy where knowledge requires creative skills and thought to be exercised across “Ten Thinking Dimensions,” as I have already discussed in my book on this topic. The Creative Economy relies on just one of these ten thinking dimensions; with the other nine thinking dimensions missing. Thus, the government should reset its goal accordingly, not just to be a “Creative Economy,” but to be a “Knowledge-based Economy” that does not ignore a complete set of thinking dimensions, but is also based on knowledge by which to develop Thai society and economy.

Nowadays, there are currently very little Thai intellectual property and registered patents or innovations by Thais who have not copied foreigners. Likewise, there are few academic papers published in journals by Thai academics. Pushing Thailand forward to be a “Knowledge Economy” will be hard work for Thailand’s government, with full reform needed in such areas as:

Human resource reform: Most Thais lack thinking skills and several personal values are also obstacles. The government should push human resource reform through education in order to mold Thais who are smart, ethical and courageous. All Thai children should be able to access the education system and all schools should have class-based skills development courses, and use the best and most innovative teaching media in their classrooms. The Ministry of Education must monitor the direction and quality of education, and promote the private sector to be a main pillar in education provision.

System reform: Knowledge management is an important issue in Thailand, especially where database information is incomplete and unlinked. Moreover, research and development expenditure is also very low. The government should set statistical standards, and may even provide incentives to persuade researchers worldwide to work for Thailand.

Contextual reform: There are many characteristics of Thai society that do not support the creation of knowledge and allow people to develop their thinking skills. For example, Thai society focuses on personal interest more than on honest behaviour; with copyright or intellectual property violations considered normal. Good behaviour and positive traits should be rewarded by the government in cooperation with the private sector, and the thoughts and knowledge of such good people contributed to society more and more.

In my opinion, Thailand’s economy is still strong and can survive in this extremely competitive world so long as the government pays attention to knowledge-based economic development, not just on building a creative economy, which is only a current trend.

Dr Kriengsak Chareonwongsak
Senior Fellow, Harvard Kennedy School , Harvard University
kriengsak@kriengsak.com, kriengsak.com, drdancando.com