Kriengsak Chareonwongsak
Encyclopedia
Kriengsak Chareonwongsak (born September 9, 1955) is a Thai scholar, visionary, and politician
. He is noted for promoting development that is sustainable, democratic, and ennobling for every person within Thai society. Dr. Kriengsak established the first future studies research institute in Southeast Asia
, served as a Member of Parliament (MP), was on the executive Board for the Democrat Party
, and has published prolifically on popular and scholarly topics.
was born in 1955 in Bangkok
. As a child, Kriengsak spent his free time translating books into Braille
for blind children, helping slum dwellers, and visiting a nearby orphanage. Later, during his teenage years, he persuaded his father’s business associates to finance working holidays during which Chareonwongsak and schoolmates, under the supervision of a teacher, built three room school houses in rural villages previously having no school.
in Wisconsin
on a one year American Field Service (AFS) scholarship, he completed a Bachelor of Economics (first class honours and top of class) and PhD in Economics, both on scholarship at Monash University
, Melbourne
, Australia
.
He has completed a Master of Public Administration degree at the Kennedy School of Government, Harvard University
; and holds a Master Degree, from Judge Business School at the University of Cambridge, UK and post doctoral studies at University of Oxford
.
To this end, Dr. Kriengsak established Thailand’s first institution dedicated to future studies in 1994. Institute of Future Studies for Development (IFD)http://www.ifd.or.th, a non-profit academic research organization, aims to stimulate a long-term vision for the holistic development of Thai society, especially in the fields of Human Resource Development which focuses on interdisciplinary future studies contributing to economic, human resource, and National Development. IFD is known for its multi-disciplinary research across a broad spectrum of academic fields as well as its emphasis on sustainable solutions to offset future problems in every sector of Thai society. IFD, under the leadership of Dr. Chareonwongsak, has provoked other significant changes in Thailand’s banking, finance, governance, and education infrastructures.
Although IFD activities focus on research, it is also known for its work in organizing and hosting seminars, talk-shows, symposiums, and forums among Thailand’s intellectuals and policy-makers and for publishing its findings widely in newspapers, magazines, academic journals, and other mass media formats.
As a businessman, he is Chairman of the Success Group of Companies, a conglomerate of businesses, diversified into such fields of media technology, as broadcasting, publishing, educational multimedia production and distribution, internet web site and domain development, web hosting, web-based applications, systems integration and retail outlets, internet service provision (ISP), hotel booking online, e-commerce, and web portals. Other areas under the Success umbrella include biotechnology, finance and securities, investment, trading, animal health products, hotel, travel industry, and management consultancy. He also chairs the Lao-Thai Business Corporation.
He has held various university teaching positions. He is an Eminent Member of the Education Council on Standard and Quality Assurance, of the Office of the National Education Commission, and has also filled fifty other positions in a number of national organizations and committees
He has served in numerous governmental and non-governmental capacities. Some of his more prominent public roles include active participation and leadership on the National Economic and Social Advisory Council (NESAC)http://www5.nesac.go.th, where he served as Chair of the Education, Religion, Arts and Culture Commission and Vice Chair of the Economic, Commerce and Industry Commission.
In 2005, he was invited to run as a party list Member of Parliament
in the upcoming elections for the Democrat Party. Shortly thereafter, elected to executive board of the party and he was invited to be the Deputy Head of the Democrat Economics Team. However, in 2007, he resigned from the Democrat Party
due disagreement with the party leader over party malpractices.
Other high profile meetings where Dr. Kriengsak has represented Thailand include
and the ASEAN Business Forum (ABF)in association with the Institute of Southeast Asian Studies http://www.iseas.edu.sg/( ISEAS ) in Singapore
, Kuala Lumpur
, Malaysia, March, 2004
(Harvard). He is involved at Oxford University as Visiting Fellow at the Oxford Internet Institute
and Fellow at the Skoll Centre for Social Entrepreneurship http://www.sbs.ox.ac.uk/skoll, Said Business School. In 2004, he was elected Member of Parliament (MP) for the Democrat Party and served until the dissolution of the parliament. He is Chair and President of the Political Leaders for Social
Enterprise, USA, as well as Chair of the Social Entrepreneurship Institute http://www.politicallse.org/index.php?components=content&id_contentategory_main=1&id_content_topic_main=1, Thailand. At Harvard University, he serves as a member of the Thai Studies Committee. He is also an adjunct research professor at Regent University
, USA.
Politician
A politician, political leader, or political figure is an individual who is involved in influencing public policy and decision making...
. He is noted for promoting development that is sustainable, democratic, and ennobling for every person within Thai society. Dr. Kriengsak established the first future studies research institute in Southeast Asia
Southeast Asia
Southeast Asia, South-East Asia, South East Asia or Southeastern Asia is a subregion of Asia, consisting of the countries that are geographically south of China, east of India, west of New Guinea and north of Australia. The region lies on the intersection of geological plates, with heavy seismic...
, served as a Member of Parliament (MP), was on the executive Board for the Democrat Party
Democrat Party (Thailand)
The Democrat Party is Thailand's oldest political party and was the main coalition government party of the 23rd House of Representatives of Thailand. The Democrat Party's current leader is Abhisit Vejjajiva, incumbent opposition leader and former Prime Minister. The party upholds a conservative...
, and has published prolifically on popular and scholarly topics.
Early life
Kriengsak ChareonwongsakKriengsak Chareonwongsak
Kriengsak Chareonwongsak is a Thai scholar, visionary, and politician. He is noted for promoting development that is sustainable, democratic, and ennobling for every person within Thai society. Dr...
was born in 1955 in Bangkok
Bangkok
Bangkok is the capital and largest urban area city in Thailand. It is known in Thai as Krung Thep Maha Nakhon or simply Krung Thep , meaning "city of angels." The full name of Bangkok is Krung Thep Mahanakhon Amon Rattanakosin Mahintharayutthaya Mahadilok Phop Noppharat Ratchathani Burirom...
. As a child, Kriengsak spent his free time translating books into Braille
Braille
The Braille system is a method that is widely used by blind people to read and write, and was the first digital form of writing.Braille was devised in 1825 by Louis Braille, a blind Frenchman. Each Braille character, or cell, is made up of six dot positions, arranged in a rectangle containing two...
for blind children, helping slum dwellers, and visiting a nearby orphanage. Later, during his teenage years, he persuaded his father’s business associates to finance working holidays during which Chareonwongsak and schoolmates, under the supervision of a teacher, built three room school houses in rural villages previously having no school.
Education
After finishing high school at the New Berlin High SchoolNew Berlin Eisenhower Middle/High School
New Berlin Eisenhower Middle/High School is a combination middle school and high school located in New Berlin, Wisconsin. Part of the , the school serves grades 7 through 12. The school was nationally recognized as a Blue Ribbon School in 2005.-History:...
in Wisconsin
Wisconsin
Wisconsin is a U.S. state located in the north-central United States and is part of the Midwest. It is bordered by Minnesota to the west, Iowa to the southwest, Illinois to the south, Lake Michigan to the east, Michigan to the northeast, and Lake Superior to the north. Wisconsin's capital is...
on a one year American Field Service (AFS) scholarship, he completed a Bachelor of Economics (first class honours and top of class) and PhD in Economics, both on scholarship at Monash University
Monash University
Monash University is a public university based in Melbourne, Victoria. It was founded in 1958 and is the second oldest university in the state. Monash is a member of Australia's Group of Eight and the ASAIHL....
, Melbourne
Melbourne
Melbourne is the capital and most populous city in the state of Victoria, and the second most populous city in Australia. The Melbourne City Centre is the hub of the greater metropolitan area and the Census statistical division—of which "Melbourne" is the common name. As of June 2009, the greater...
, Australia
Australia
Australia , officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a country in the Southern Hemisphere comprising the mainland of the Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous smaller islands in the Indian and Pacific Oceans. It is the world's sixth-largest country by total area...
.
He has completed a Master of Public Administration degree at the Kennedy School of Government, Harvard University
Harvard University
Harvard University is a private Ivy League university located in Cambridge, Massachusetts, United States, established in 1636 by the Massachusetts legislature. Harvard is the oldest institution of higher learning in the United States and the first corporation chartered in the country...
; and holds a Master Degree, from Judge Business School at the University of Cambridge, UK and post doctoral studies at University of Oxford
University of Oxford
The University of Oxford is a university located in Oxford, United Kingdom. It is the second-oldest surviving university in the world and the oldest in the English-speaking world. Although its exact date of foundation is unclear, there is evidence of teaching as far back as 1096...
.
Vision for change
Since his youth, Dr. Kriengsak has worked to achieve real, sustainable change within Thai society. All his activities, whether as an academic, a politician, or a social advocate have been motivated by his vision to see Thailand rise from its current status as a developing nation to that of a contributing player in the global arena in the future. The theses of most of his writings centre on promoting national development as well as building strong and whole people who can reproduce their strength and wholeness at the corporate, societal, national and even global levels.To this end, Dr. Kriengsak established Thailand’s first institution dedicated to future studies in 1994. Institute of Future Studies for Development (IFD)http://www.ifd.or.th, a non-profit academic research organization, aims to stimulate a long-term vision for the holistic development of Thai society, especially in the fields of Human Resource Development which focuses on interdisciplinary future studies contributing to economic, human resource, and National Development. IFD is known for its multi-disciplinary research across a broad spectrum of academic fields as well as its emphasis on sustainable solutions to offset future problems in every sector of Thai society. IFD, under the leadership of Dr. Chareonwongsak, has provoked other significant changes in Thailand’s banking, finance, governance, and education infrastructures.
Although IFD activities focus on research, it is also known for its work in organizing and hosting seminars, talk-shows, symposiums, and forums among Thailand’s intellectuals and policy-makers and for publishing its findings widely in newspapers, magazines, academic journals, and other mass media formats.
As a businessman, he is Chairman of the Success Group of Companies, a conglomerate of businesses, diversified into such fields of media technology, as broadcasting, publishing, educational multimedia production and distribution, internet web site and domain development, web hosting, web-based applications, systems integration and retail outlets, internet service provision (ISP), hotel booking online, e-commerce, and web portals. Other areas under the Success umbrella include biotechnology, finance and securities, investment, trading, animal health products, hotel, travel industry, and management consultancy. He also chairs the Lao-Thai Business Corporation.
Prominence within Thai society
Dr. Kriengsak’s many involvements and roles within Thai society have popularized him and his writings many which have attained best seller status within Thailand, radio and TV commentator and a newspaper and magazine columnist, discussing political and economic issues of current concern. His perspectives are often highlighted in interviews both in Thailand and overseas..He has held various university teaching positions. He is an Eminent Member of the Education Council on Standard and Quality Assurance, of the Office of the National Education Commission, and has also filled fifty other positions in a number of national organizations and committees
He has served in numerous governmental and non-governmental capacities. Some of his more prominent public roles include active participation and leadership on the National Economic and Social Advisory Council (NESAC)http://www5.nesac.go.th, where he served as Chair of the Education, Religion, Arts and Culture Commission and Vice Chair of the Economic, Commerce and Industry Commission.
In 2005, he was invited to run as a party list Member of Parliament
Parliament
A parliament is a legislature, especially in those countries whose system of government is based on the Westminster system modeled after that of the United Kingdom. The name is derived from the French , the action of parler : a parlement is a discussion. The term came to mean a meeting at which...
in the upcoming elections for the Democrat Party. Shortly thereafter, elected to executive board of the party and he was invited to be the Deputy Head of the Democrat Economics Team. However, in 2007, he resigned from the Democrat Party
Democrat Party
"Democrat Party" is a political epithet used in the United States instead of "Democratic Party" when talking about the Democratic Party. The term has been used in negative or hostile fashion by conservative commentators and members of the Republican Party in party platforms, partisan speeches and...
due disagreement with the party leader over party malpractices.
Voice at the international level
Dr. Kriengsak is recognized internationally as a scholar on the Thai economy and society as well as an emerging leader of his nation. He has represented Thailand on numerous occasions, including- The Third Annual Asian Liberty Forum(2006, Malaysia).
- The Regional Seminar for Parliaments from South-East Asia and the Asia-Pacific Region (2006, Thailand).
- The Bertelsmann Stiftung Global Policy Council (2006, Germany).
- The Smart Partnership International Dialogue (2003, Swaziland), among others.
Other high profile meetings where Dr. Kriengsak has represented Thailand include
- The Non-Aligned Movement’s Business Forum (Malaysia).
- Association for Public Policy Analysis & Management Research Conference (USA).
- International Business and Economics Research Conference (USA).
- World Future SocietyWorld Future SocietyThe World Future Society is a nonprofit educational and scientific organization in Bethesda, Maryland, US, founded in 1966.The Society investigates how social, economic and technological developments are shaping the future...
Annual Conference (USA). - The Sixth International Research Symposium on Public Management (IRSPM VI) (Scotland).
- The 31st ARTDO International Management & HRD Conference (Malaysia).
- Creating an ASEAN Community - Key Issues in Building Community.
- 2nd ASEAN Leadership Forum, Asian Strategy and Leadership Institute, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, March, 2005.
- Index of Corporate Social Responsibility: A Study looking at Measuring the level of Thailand’s Corporate Social Responsibility, the 3rd International Society of Business, Economics, and Ethics (ISBEE)World Congress
- The International Society of Business, Economics, and Ethics, AustraliaAustraliaAustralia , officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a country in the Southern Hemisphere comprising the mainland of the Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous smaller islands in the Indian and Pacific Oceans. It is the world's sixth-largest country by total area...
, July, 2004. - Strengthening Strategic Partnerships-Deepening Relationship with Key Partners-US, ChinaChinaChinese civilization may refer to:* China for more general discussion of the country.* Chinese culture* Greater China, the transnational community of ethnic Chinese.* History of China* Sinosphere, the area historically affected by Chinese culture...
, IndiaIndiaIndia , officially the Republic of India , is a country in South Asia. It is the seventh-largest country by geographical area, the second-most populous country with over 1.2 billion people, and the most populous democracy in the world...
and JapanJapanJapan is an island nation in East Asia. Located in the Pacific Ocean, it lies to the east of the Sea of Japan, China, North Korea, South Korea and Russia, stretching from the Sea of Okhotsk in the north to the East China Sea and Taiwan in the south...
. - The ASEAN Leadership Forum “Leadership Challenges in 21st Century Southeast Asia: Regional Integration, Competitiveness & Community Building”,Asian Strategy & Leadership Institute http://www.asli.com.my/(ASLI)
and the ASEAN Business Forum (ABF)in association with the Institute of Southeast Asian Studies http://www.iseas.edu.sg/( ISEAS ) in Singapore
Singapore
Singapore , officially the Republic of Singapore, is a Southeast Asian city-state off the southern tip of the Malay Peninsula, north of the equator. An island country made up of 63 islands, it is separated from Malaysia by the Straits of Johor to its north and from Indonesia's Riau Islands by the...
, Kuala Lumpur
Kuala Lumpur
Kuala Lumpur is the capital and the second largest city in Malaysia by population. The city proper, making up an area of , has a population of 1.4 million as of 2010. Greater Kuala Lumpur, also known as the Klang Valley, is an urban agglomeration of 7.2 million...
, Malaysia, March, 2004
- Cultural Prerequisites for Development, Bertelsmann Foundation 25th Anniversary Symposium: Transforming Our World Building Democracy,Bertelsmann Foundation http://www.bertelsmann-stiftung.de/cps/rde/xchg/SID-0A000F14-33B65779/bst_engl/hs.xsl/269.htm, GermanyGermanyGermany , officially the Federal Republic of Germany , is a federal parliamentary republic in Europe. The country consists of 16 states while the capital and largest city is Berlin. Germany covers an area of 357,021 km2 and has a largely temperate seasonal climate...
, March, 2002. - Human Security in Development and Crisis: How to Capture It in Regional Institutional Arrangements? And How Can the Asia Leaders' Forum Promote it?,the 1999 Asia Leaders' Forum on Asia Leaders Forum-Human Security in Development and Crisis, Sydney, Australia, April, 1999.
- Impact Assessment of Thailand’s Promotion of Strategic Export Industries : A Computable General Equilibrium Model (CGE) Approach, EcoMod 2004 International Conference on Policy Modeling, EcoMod co-organized with the CEPII, ParisParisParis is the capital and largest city in France, situated on the river Seine, in northern France, at the heart of the Île-de-France region...
, FranceFranceThe French Republic , The French Republic , The French Republic , (commonly known as France , is a unitary semi-presidential republic in Western Europe with several overseas territories and islands located on other continents and in the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic oceans. Metropolitan France...
, July, 2004.
Current activities
Dr. Kriengsak is Senior Fellow at Harvard Kennedy School, USA http://www.hks.harvard.edu an elected member of the Harvard Kennedy School Alumni Association Board of Directors as well as Associate at the Weatherhead Centre for International AffairsWeatherhead Centre for International Affairs
The Weatherhead Center for International Affairs was founded as the Center for International Affairs in 1958 and assumed its current name in 1998 following an endowment by Albert and Celia Weatherhead and the Weatherhead Foundation. The aim of the Center was to confront the worlds problems as...
(Harvard). He is involved at Oxford University as Visiting Fellow at the Oxford Internet Institute
Oxford Internet Institute
The Oxford Internet Institute is a multi-disciplinary institute based at the University of Oxford, England, and housed in buildings owned by Balliol College, Oxford. It is devoted to the study of the societal implications of the Internet, with the aim of shaping research, policy and practice in...
and Fellow at the Skoll Centre for Social Entrepreneurship http://www.sbs.ox.ac.uk/skoll, Said Business School. In 2004, he was elected Member of Parliament (MP) for the Democrat Party and served until the dissolution of the parliament. He is Chair and President of the Political Leaders for Social
Enterprise, USA, as well as Chair of the Social Entrepreneurship Institute http://www.politicallse.org/index.php?components=content&id_contentategory_main=1&id_content_topic_main=1, Thailand. At Harvard University, he serves as a member of the Thai Studies Committee. He is also an adjunct research professor at Regent University
Regent University
Regent University is a private coeducational interdenominational Christian university located in Virginia Beach, Virginia, United States. The school was founded by the American televangelist Pat Robertson in 1978 as Christian Broadcasting Network University. A satellite campus located in...
, USA.
Writings and other media
Although an Economist by training, Dr. Kriengsak also addresses issues in numerous fields including educational administration, business, politics/governance, policy formation, organization restructuring, theories of change, environment, future studies, and most recently social enterprise. He has published more than 170 books and numerous articles, presented over 300 academic papers, 4000 newspaper & magazine articles and is well known to the Thai public via frequent radio and television appearances.Books in English
- Insights into Thailand’s Post-Crisis Economy
- Reflections on The Economy: An Economist’s View of Thailand’s Recent Past
- Critiquing Thaksin’s Policies
- Moving Thailand Forward
Articles in English available online
- aseanaffairs.com Will Vietnam’s growth affect Thailand’s economy?
- Bangkok Post. Broadcast live draft. January 28, 2007
- kriengsak.com Kriengsak pushes Government on Skytrain Projects
Academic papers in English available online
- The Future Society of Asia
- Globalization and Technology: How will they change society? Technology in Society 24 (3), 191-206.
- Happiness and Economic Development Targets in Thailand.
- Impact Assessment of Thailand’s Promotion of Strategic Export Industries: A Computable General Equilibrium Model (CGE) Approach by Kriengsak Chareonwongsak and Akrathood Paul Chareonwongsak
- Regional Seminar on Security Sector Reform in the National and Regional Contexts. General introduction: The new thinking and the need for a comprehensive security approach.
- Reshaping Universities for the Future (2000). Foresight, 2 (1), 113-123.