Background

Chairman : Mr. Mechai Viravaidya

     Founded in 1974, PDA is one of Thailand's most well established and diverse non-government organizations. Operating from Bangkok, 18 regional development centers, and branch offices in rural Thailand, PDA's programs are based on the belief that local people are best suited to shape and sustain their own development. PDA has pioneered grassroots growth marked by extensive villager involvement, not only as beneficiaries, but also as planners, managers, and leaders.

     With over 35 years experience, PDA looks forward with renewed commitment to respond to current social and economic dilemmas with the innovation and ingenuity that has marked its achievements throughout the years.

      PDA was first active in promoting family planning in urban and rural areas of Thailand, where knowledge and access to such services were scarce. PDA recruited and trained respected members of local urban and rural neighborhoods to distribute and provide information on affordable contraceptives directly to their communities. Other campaigns were tailored to the health of specific target groups such as factory workers, hill tribe villagers, and adolescents. In total, 12,000 volunteers plus several mobile health units distributed contraceptives to over 10,000 villages. Today, PDA programs cover over one third of the country, helping to ease the national population growth rate from 3.3% in the mid-1970s to 0.6% in 2005.

      PDA programs now encompass integrated rural development, water resource development, local institution building, social enterprise, medical and health services, population management, AIDS care activities, income generation, occupational training, and environmental conservation. This Web site illustrates many of PDA's activities, but will always be incomplete, as the number and variety of projects is continually changing to meet the needs of rural Thailand.

     Approximately 8 million people in Thailand live on less than two dollars a day and government services are not fully able to help all of those in need. To fill this gap, PDA has implemented the Village Development Partnership (VDP), a program that empowers rural communities to eradicate poverty and improve their quality of life by providing banking and lending services at the village level. The VDP works in cooperation with the business community, particularly large corporate sponsors, to set up community banks that are operated by members of the local village. Villagers are able to make deposits and have access to micro-loans that they are unable to secure at traditional banks. Additionally, rural villagers receive training from PDA on how to manage and operate successful small businesses through the Barefoot MBA program.

     PDA also encourages environmental activism at the local level and instills a sense of responsibility for the local environment. In order for rural villagers to be able to receive micro-credit from the local banks, the village must take part in a tree planting activity to raise initial capital for their community bank (1 tree planted = ~$1.25 of capital for the Village Development Bank). Furthermore, income generated through the community bank goes towards activities such as canal cleaning, water system improvement, additional tree-planting, and bio-diesel production.

      The development of a nation can be achieved only when the quality of life for all Thai people is improved to a satisfactory standard. PDA is not the sole contributor, but believes that the community as a whole - in all sectors of society; (private, governmental, and non-profit) can join together in a new movement to benefit humanity. Today, the Population and Community Development Association is proud to have contributed towards improving the standard and quality of life in Thailand; however, we endeavor to continue the struggle in the rural areas where the government's efforts require our support in the betterment of the country.