BLUE ECONOMY: A CONCEPT OF MARINE NATIONAL INTEREST PROTECTION

Abstract

Blue Economy is a concept concerning the use of marine resources, aiming to balance the aspect of economy, environment, and security. With the foundation of this concept, the United Nations developed the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, whose Goal, item 14, involves the sustainable conservation and use of marine resources for sustainable development. Due to Thailand’s commitment to the agenda in 2015 and its constant use of marine resources, which worsened the situation, these external and internal factors led to the inception of the 20-Year National Strategy concerning marine resource use and the Maritime Interest Protection Act, B.E. 2562 (2019). However, rather than emphasizing the aspects of economy and environment, this act primarily focuses on the security aspect through the protection and prevention of unlawful use of marine resources within the national maritime boundary. Therefore, within the process of public policy development, should an issue arise from the implementation of such policies, or an evaluation has been made, the Thai government is to be able to improve the policies to balance all three aspects, aiming for a truly sustainable use of marine resources.