Background
   
               
            The Government of Thailand had reformed the Bureaucratic System and set up the Ministry of Social Development and Human Security (MSDHS) in October 2002 by reorganizing and grouping together agencies according to their aims and characteristics. MSDHS is required to be a core ministry responsible for social affairs. It was initially established to be the mechanism of the Government in efficiently implementing social policy and promoting potential in social development for the wealth of Thai society and for competition in the world stage. MSDHS is comprised of governmental agencies, state enterprises as well as public organisations such as the Department of Public Welfare, National Youth Bureau, Office of the National Commissioni on Women's Affairs, Department of Community Development, Department of Accelerated Rural Development, National Housing Authority, Public Pawnshop Office and Community Orgnanistions Development Insitute.    
           
           

Responsibilities

MSDHS has its responsibilities to promote social development and create public equity and social justice. Its operations are to encourage and develop quality of life, social security, family and community institutes as well as other functions as prescribed by the laws to be the duties and authority of MSDHS or agencies under the Ministry.
   
           
           

Administrative Structure, Duties and Authorities
   
 
    Administrative Structure:

    * Office of the Minister
    * Office of the Permanent Secretary
    * Department of Social Development and Welfare
    * Office of Women's Affairs and Family Development
    * Office of Welfare Promotion, Protection and Empowerment of Vulnerable Groups

The Office of Welfare Promotion, Protection and Empowerment of Vulnerable Groups has its function in relation to protecting rights and promoting potential of various target groups. It is in charge of formulating policy measures and mechanisms for developing the security and quality of life of the target groups as well as supporting coordination among concerned Non Governmental Organisations and Grassroots Organisations. It has the following authorities and duties:

    * Suggesting guidelines for protecting rights and promoting potential of children, youth, the disadvantaged, persons with disabilities and older persons;
    * Establishing and developing measures and mechanisms for protecting rights and promoting potential of children, youth, the disadvantaged, persons with disabilities and older persons;
    * Enhancing technical knowledge and supporting various resources for the operations of networks which are aimed at legally protecting rights and promoting potential of the target groups;
    * Establishing and developing standards to protect rights and promote potential of children, youth, the disadvantaged, persons with disabilities and older persons as well as enhancing international cooperation in relevance to world changes, the international agreements and commitments.
    * Promoting activities to develop the potential and social roles of children, youth, the disadvantaged, persons with disabilities and older persons
    * Developing a body of knowledge for protecting rights and promoting potential of children, youth, the disadvantaged, persons with disabilities and older persons
    * Coordinating and supporting information and data for protecting rights and promoting the potential of children, youth, the disadvantaged, persons with disabilities and older persons
    * Performing other functions as prescribed by the laws to be duties and authorities of the Office of Children, Youths, the Disadvantaged, Persons with Disabilities and Older Persons or entrusted by the Minister or by the Cabinet.

The Office of Welfare Promotion, Protection and Empowerment of Vulnerable Groups consists of five Bureaus and two Divisions as below:

   1. Bureau of Child Promotion and Protection
   2. Bureau of Youth Promotion and Protection
   3. Bureau of Promotion and Protection for the Disadvantaged
   4. Bureau of Empowerment for Persons with Disabilities
   5. Bureau of Empowerment for Older Persons
   6. Central Administration Division
   7. Network Promotion and Development Division 

National Youth Policy

Office of Welfare Promotion, Protection and Empowerment of Vulnerable Groups
618/1 Nikommakkasan Road
Rajthevee, Bangkok 10400, Thailand
Tel: 662-651 6534 / 662-651 6541
Fax: 662-6516481
    
DECLARATION OF THE OFFICE OF THE PRIME MINISTER ON THE NATIONAL YOUTH POLICY:
 
Youth constitute valuable human resources endowed with dignity and potential for social and national development. Youth development is therefore required to follow appropriate policy guidelines, subject to the exigencies of conditions and norms both within the country and abroad.

For effectiveness of national youth development in which all sectors of the society will participate, the Council of Ministers gave its approval on 15 January 2002, to the National youth policy and the long-term plan for Development of children and youth from 2002 to 2011. The main features of the national policy include:

1. Encouraging and supporting family institutions to have major roles in bringing up children and youth so as to attain development at the youths highest potential;

2. Encouraging other important social institutions in different fields, e.g: education, religion, professional development, politics and all levels of governance, in particular, the tambol administrative organisations, private sector and mass media to play active roles and to join efforts on a continuous basis in developing and providing creative life skills to youth;

3. Encouraging provision of youth services, both of the government and non-government sectors, to efficiently conduct their responsibilities without discrimination and with transparency and full accountability;

4. Supporting timely legislation and law enforcement as demanded by the exigencies of the situations and changes affecting youth development;

5. Supporting monitoring and evaluation of youth development with systematic indicators for assessment;

6. Encouraging all youth at appropriate ages to receive services in accordance with their basic rights and needs as demanded by international standards, both quantitatively and qualitatively;

7. Encouraging youths to learn how to analyse data, to think, to be responsible and able to make decisions based on rationale, conscience and moral values and consequently, to be capable of happy self adjustment to social changes;

8. Supporting youth for application of advanced knowledge, based on local wisdom, religious principles and based on a self-sufficient economy, which will be most useful to them in their daily lives and future careers, and;

9. Supporting all youth at appropriate ages to contribute constructively to community development and strengthening of friendly relations at an international level.

The National Youth Bureau shall be responsible for implementation of the above policy so as to bring benefits for development of youth in Thailand at all ages and in all parts of the land
  
- Pol Lt Col Thaksin Shinawatra,

Prime Minister of Thailand

Announced on 19 July, 2002