The government should act as a role model for the people, Pridiyathorn said.

But instead the government has apparently been preoccupied with larger and larger gross domestic product and is satisfied only if the stock market rallies or mega-investment projects advance.

"All success factors are tied to an increase in monetary value. In other words, only money matters," he told a seminar late on Friday on "The Changing Value of Thai Society" held to commemorate the 21st anniversary of Assumption University.

The key indicator the government has used so far is GDP growth, although there are several indices to measure the economy like employment, income distribution and per capita income, he said.

In general, governments that are "quantitative-oriented national leaders" focus on economic stimulation with mega-project investment as a top priority rather than considering social development or environmental protection, he said.

"These leaders focus on short-term measures that will create an impact in the next quarter, rather than on long-term projects such as developing education or preserving the cultural heritage," the governor said.

The tourism industry has boosted economic growth, but at the expense of the environment, he said, and to develop the country, economic growth should not come at the sacrifice of other sectors, so that the government should balance economic power with conservation of natural resources and the environment.

True leaders give a clear commitment to the public on protecting the environment and solving other problems rather than focusing entirely on economic performance, he said.

Notably, he said, most businesses see size as well as growth as a crucial factor, getting excited about mega-projects such as the opening of a Bt12-billion shopping complex and admiring large businesses with good profitability and fast growth.

Stock investors are also interested in mergers and acquisitions to gain scale, he warned, and this will finally lead to "monopolistic power", which will take advantage of consumers.

Authorities should not allow the hurried conclusion of free-trade agreements, which could destroy the livelihoods of local people or small businesses such as hair salons, restaurants, truck drivers and farmers, he cautioned.

Thais also adore Western culture, preferring to shop in superstores run by multinational behemoths, while small "mom-and-pop" stores or traditional family-run businesses are quickly vanishing, he noted.

The warmth between customers and shopkeepers has evaporated, he said, and owners of small businesses have no choice but to become employees of international retailers.

Authorities should widen distribution of income and opportunity, he counselled, which will rescue family businesses and prevent too many multinational businesses from operating here and wiping out smaller local businesses.

Globalisation is good in terms of new technology and management development, he said, but it also presents an opportunity for multinationals to take over Thai businesses. The country should choose the good aspects of globalisation, including productivity techniques and cost-saving schemes to improve competitiveness, rather than allow multinationals to take over Thai businesses that provide local consumers with goods and services.

Anoma Srisukkasem

The Nation