Office of the National Economic and Social Development Board (NEDB), Thailand

In 1959, Prime Minister Field Marshal Sarit Dhanarajata restructured the National Economic Council (NEC), and gave it a new name: the Office of the National Economic Development Board (NEDB). In 1961, this office launched the nation's First Economic Development Plan, the first of its kind, to serve as a central framework for Thailand national development. In 1972, social development was officially recognized as an essential part of the National Plan. The NEDB therefore became the National Economic and Social Development Board (NESDB), as it is known today, under the Office of the Prime Minister. Duties and Responsibilities: • To provide opinions and recommendations on national economic and social development to the cabinet. • To scrutinize the National Economic and Social Development Plan and other proposals before submitting to the cabinet for consideration. • To provide opinions concerning the economic and social development issues to the Prime Minister as requested. • To set up the coordination mechanism between the NESDB, concerned agencies and state enterprises regarding the planning and implementation of development programs and projects.