Background

The Cooperative League of Thailand (CLT)
(National apex organization of cooperative movement in Thailand)

Establishment of the CLT
In 1968, the government enacted the Cooperative Societies Act (Coop Law), which allowed the establishment of the Cooperative League of Thailand (CLT). All types of cooperatives at all levels are affiliated. The CLT is functioning as the national apex organization of all cooperative movement and act as educational institution for promotion of all cooperative without sharing profit or income. And all registered cooperatives in Kingdom shall pay subscription to the CLT 5% of its net profit but not more than 10,000 Baht.
Currently, as of March 2009, there are totally 7,551 Cooperative Societies throughout the country with its membership of 10,015,274 Individual Members.
Functions and Roles of the CLT acoording the ACT

1. Promoting and propagating the cooperative affairs as well as conducting research and compiling statistics concerning the cooperative affairs;
2. Providing technical assistance to cooperative and facilitating communication and coordination among them and government agencies concerned
3. Providing education and training on technical matters concerning cooperative affairs;
4. Promoting relationship among cooperatives both internal and international having similar objects;
5. Promoting commercial business, trade, industry, and services of cooperatives;
6. Supporting and assisting cooperatives in solving obstacles and constraints relating to the cooperative affairs which are of common benefit;
7. Acting as an agent of cooperatives in protecting and maintaining rightful interests deservedly derived from the state or international organizations or other private sector institutions;
8. Cooperating with the government in the promotion of cooperatives for genuine and real benefits to them in general;
9. Carrying on the acts in compliance with its objects or as entrusted by the National Cooperative Development Board (NCDB).

Revenue of the CLT

According to the ACT, the CLT may have revenue from the following sources;

1. Subscription to the Cooperative League of Thailand;
2. Government subsidies;
3. Interest arising from the central fund of the unlimited-liability cooperatives;
4. Donation of money or property;
5. Residues of money or property after liquidation of cooperative;
6. Proceed from sale of technical books, documents or others
7. Money or property received in return for services rendered;
8. Interests derived from the property of the CLT.

Organization Structure

The administration of the CLT is governed by the annual general meeting (General Assembly) of representatives from all cooperatives members throughout the country. The number of representatives will be not least than 500 representatives. Cooperative Representatives will elect 14 representatives from 7 cooperative types. The Chairman of each National Cooperative Federations shall be CLT Board of Directors. Currently, there are 7 types of cooperatives in Thailand and formed themselves as National Cooperative Federations. Another 7 members of the boards are directly elected by representatives of the cooperatives. Executive Director of CLT acts as Secretary to the Board. The office term of the Board of Directors and Executive Director are 4 years and can be re-elected 2 consecutive terms.

Cooperative Training and HRD Activities

The objectives of the HRD programs and research of CLT are as follows;

1. To provide training on various requesting subjects to cooperative members at grass root level;
2. To provide training to cooperative chairman and board of director;
3. To provide training to cooperative staff;
4. To provide technical study and training to cooperative members;
5. To conduct research as requested by cooperative members.

Target Groups for Training and Seminar

1. Farmers cooperative members
2. Chairman of the cooperatives
3. Board of director of the cooperatives
4. Manager of the cooperative
5. Staff of the cooperative

The CLT’s Cooperative Training Center was built on the league land to be a central educations institution to enable cooperative members and cooperative leadership to participate more meaningfully in our productive training activities. Over the year, several the training programs, seminar, workshop were conducted at cooperative training center. The services of the center are covered to general clients. There are various sides of meeting rooms and 69 twins sharing rooms for accommodations. “Cooperative Canteen” is served both in training packages and general orders to member and non-members.

By Mr. Phanuwat Wanraway
Director of International Affairs
The Cooperative League of Thailand

BIOGRAPHY

Mr. Chalerpol  Dulsamphant
Chairman of CLT

After amendment of current Cooperative Act on 22 April 2010, the Cooperative League of Thailand (CLT), the National Apex Organization of cooperative movement in Thailand held the CLT Extraordinary General Assembly at CLT Training Center on Sunday, 14 November 2010. 14 representatives from 7 cooperative types were elected as 23rd Board of Directors of CLT. One of important points amended was the Chairman of each National Cooperative Federations shall be CLT Board of Directors. Currently, there are 7 types of cooperatives in Thailand and formed themselves as National Cooperative Federations. Another 7 members of the boards are directly elected by representatives of the cooperatives. Executive Director of CLT acts as Secretary to the Board. The office term of the Board of Directors and Executive Director are 4 years and can be re-elected 2 consecutive terms.

CLT Board of Directors unanimously approved Mr. Chalerpol  Dulsamphant as the new Chairman of CLT since 14 November 2010. Mr. Chalerpol Dulsamphant is currently active President of Federation Saving and Credit Cooperatives of Thailand (FSCT) and President of Association of Asian confederation of Credit Union (ACCU) as well as the Vice Chairperson of Regional Cooperative Banking Association (RCBA). He was elected to several primary leadership roles in saving and credit cooperatives movement in Thailand. He has been a front line cooperative leader of the cooperative movement in Thailand.  He holds high ranking with Metropolitan Electricity Authority (MEA) prior to several primary cooperatives. He is well-known among social worker cooperatives. He, during his long period of service, worked with cooperative movement, has served as Vice Chairman and Board of Directors of CLT. He has been taking special interest in the development of new and innovative saving cooperative modules. He encourages the government to uplift the cooperative development in Thailand as “National Agenda”.