1. A Tale of Two Samut Cities Different Paths to Development and People’s Well-being in Samut Sakorn and Samut Songkram Provinces Decharut Sukkumnoed Faculty of Economics, Kasetsart University Wipawa Chuenchit Healthy Public Policy Foundation

2. Introduction to Two Samut Cities Located next to each other in the south west of Bangkok. Located next to each other in the south west of Bangkok. Similar eco-cultural backgrounds i.e., the ecosystem of three waters and wetland, one artery river, ways of life and occupations closely tied with local geographical contexts. Similar eco-cultural backgrounds i.e., the ecosystem of three waters and wetland, one artery river, ways of life and occupations closely tied with local geographical contexts.

3. The ecosystem of three waters Brine Brackish water Fresh water

4. Previously similar ways of life

5. Different development paths In response to a series of National Economic and Social Development Plans, which first began in B.E.2504 (1961), Samut Sakorn has fully adopted the concept and put in into practice. The provincial strategy has set its priority on rapid industrial development. In response to a series of National Economic and Social Development Plans, which first began in B.E.2504 (1961), Samut Sakorn has fully adopted the concept and put in into practice. The provincial strategy has set its priority on rapid industrial development. The share of industrial sector is now more than 80% of total GPP in Samut Sakorn, while the share of agricultural sector has dropped down from 50% in 1981 to 20% in 1991 and to only 4% in 2005. The share of industrial sector is now more than 80% of total GPP in Samut Sakorn, while the share of agricultural sector has dropped down from 50% in 1981 to 20% in 1991 and to only 4% in 2005.

6. Different development paths In Samut Songkram, the main economic sector in 1981 was service and agricultural sectors. From 1981 to 1991, the industrial sector has grown only gradually. At the same time, the share of agricultural sector in Samut Songkram was also reduced slowly. In Samut Songkram, the main economic sector in 1981 was service and agricultural sectors. From 1981 to 1991, the industrial sector has grown only gradually. At the same time, the share of agricultural sector in Samut Songkram was also reduced slowly. Up to 2005, the share of industrial sector in total Samut Songkram’s GPP is only around 23%, while the share of agricultural sector has been reduced from around 30% in 1981 down to 7% in 2005 Up to 2005, the share of industrial sector in total Samut Songkram’s GPP is only around 23%, while the share of agricultural sector has been reduced from around 30% in 1981 down to 7% in 2005

7. Different development paths Samut Sakorn with increased industrialization Samut Songkram with gradual change in its economic structure

8. The Changes in Economic Structure of Samut Sakorn Province

9. The Changes in Economic Structure of Samut Songkram Province

10. Gross Provincial Products

11. Different economic strengths Ten Leading Economic Sectors in Two Samut Provinces Analyzed by Location Quotient Analysis Ten Leading Economic Sectors in Two Samut Provinces Analyzed by Location Quotient Analysis

12. Different development outcomes Although in terms of GPP per capita Samut Sakorn has 8 times higher income than Samut Songkram, Samut Sakorn still faces more serious problems in several aspects i.e., HIV/AIDS, pollution, health risk behaviors. Although in terms of GPP per capita Samut Sakorn has 8 times higher income than Samut Songkram, Samut Sakorn still faces more serious problems in several aspects i.e., HIV/AIDS, pollution, health risk behaviors. According to Human Achievement Index developed by UNDP, Samut Sakorn is very strong in terms of income and employment but has low performance in education, housing and living environment, and participation aspects. According to Human Achievement Index developed by UNDP, Samut Sakorn is very strong in terms of income and employment but has low performance in education, housing and living environment, and participation aspects.

13. Different development outcomes On the contrary, Samut Songkram is only in low performance situation in family and community life aspect. On the contrary, Samut Songkram is only in low performance situation in family and community life aspect. Overall result is that Samut Songkram province has better human achievement index than Samut Sakorn (no. 11 compared to no. 24 in the country). Overall result is that Samut Songkram province has better human achievement index than Samut Sakorn (no. 11 compared to no. 24 in the country). Recently, Ministry of Social Development and Human Security announced that Samut Songkram is the best province in the country in the 2006 human security index. Recently, Ministry of Social Development and Human Security announced that Samut Songkram is the best province in the country in the 2006 human security index.

14. Selected development indicators of Samut Sakorn and Samut Songkram Source: UNDP, Thailand Human Development Report 2007.

15. Ranks of Human Achievement Index in Two Samut Provinces Note: Rank 1 is the best performance province in the country in each aspect. Rank 76 is the worst performance province in the country in each aspect.

16. The Home of Exotic Thai Products and Lifestyles In Samut Songkram, the preservation of exotic Thai products and lifestyles is overwhelmingly supported by local government and civil society, with the belief that it can promote community economy and local employment. It is hoped that this development track will nurture social relationship among community and family members. In Samut Songkram, the preservation of exotic Thai products and lifestyles is overwhelmingly supported by local government and civil society, with the belief that it can promote community economy and local employment. It is hoped that this development track will nurture social relationship among community and family members. Social capitals are intensively emphasized within this development path as a tool for problem solving. Social capitals are intensively emphasized within this development path as a tool for problem solving.

17. The Home of Exotic Thai Products and Lifestyles In Samut Sakorn, social capital is not a prominent public agenda. To some extent, it has also struggled very hard to rescue its eco-cultural identities. In Samut Sakorn, social capital is not a prominent public agenda. To some extent, it has also struggled very hard to rescue its eco-cultural identities.

18. Exotic Thai products and lifestyles in Samut Sakorn and Samut Songkram

19. Picking worm shell and mussel at Don Hoy Lord Nipa palm leaves are used for house building. Traditional equipment to prepare shrimp paste

20. Future Challenges of Two Samut Cities Samut Sakorn->relatively low social investments-> how to turn high income into better quality of life Samut Sakorn->relatively low social investments-> how to turn high income into better quality of life Samut Sakorn->natural conservation and recovery with strong community participation Samut Sakorn->natural conservation and recovery with strong community participation Samut Songkram->reductions in total population and agricultural production lead to serious question on sustainability of their ways of life. Samut Songkram->reductions in total population and agricultural production lead to serious question on sustainability of their ways of life. Samut Songkram->the threats of mega projects i.e., coal-fired power plant. Samut Songkram->the threats of mega projects i.e., coal-fired power plant.

21. It is interesting how the lesson from these two Samut cities will inform and urge Thai society to rethink about development path and direction, especially in the quest of sufficiency economy.