Thailand has silently demonstrated over the last decade that countries don't need to be considered “developed” or rich to give back.
Despite being classified as an upper-middle-income nation and an aid recipient, Thailand is also a donor. The rationale, aid officials from the country told Devex, is that “south-south cooperation” works.
“We try to show that countries from the south can help other countries from the south. We don't have to wait to become a developed country,” Paisan Rupanichkij, deputy director general of Thailand's International Cooperation Agency, told Devex at the Mekong Institute's headquarters in Khon Kaen, Thailand. “Even if we are a developing country, we can extend a helping hand to other developing countries.”
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About the author
Lean Alfred Santos@DevexLeanAS
Lean Alfred Santos is a former Devex development reporter focusing on the development community in Asia-Pacific, including major players such as the Asian Development Bank and the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank. He previously covered Philippine and international business and economic news, sports and politics.
