



As times go by, the challenges that the world is facing grow more complex: technological transitions, worldwide geopolitical earthquakes, climate changes and pandemics. Countries are looking for policy-making approaches - one particular approach is a Policy Lab.

Data platform visualizes over 100,000 social media messages and over 10 million social media engagements on mental well-being
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Thailand Policy Lab shares and exchanges knowledge on policy innovation with national and international policy planners and the general public to create systematic changes in public policy.
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นวัตกรรมนโยบายให้กับประเทศไทย
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Vocab of The Week
Policy Vocabularies
Myth
A notion about certain things that is considered to be true. Such presumptions rest on beliefs and shared values in a certain time, shaping our perception of the world. In other words, we do not see the world as it “is.” We see it through a socially constructed lens.
Example
One of the most powerful myths in Thai culture is “blood is thicker than water” or “biological family matters the most,” and that nuclear family is the greatest family structure of all. This myth emphasises the responsibilities of family members, leading to regulations and policies that prioritise biological family (e.g. paid family leave). However, circumstances have forced many to sever familial ties and choose kinship outside the legal and cultural convention of family. Therefore, when discussing policy related to care or population, policymakers must bear in mind other possibilities of family structures and bonds as well.
Metaphor
A figure of speech that compares one thing to something else in order to render the subject of discussion more relatable or more easily digestible.
Example
A metaphor mirrors one’s understanding of this world (e.g. the “the world is but a stage” statement). As it contains the unique perspective of the utterer(s), we can use it as a window to look into the human landscape of thoughts and emotions. Take, for example, the comparison between COVID-19 response and war. This expression implies the innate hostility of the virus and the necessity of threat neutralisation measures. It is crucial to know what kind of imagination policy metaphors convey, and the risks/consequences that such policy frameworks might entail.
Narrative
Narrative means the way in which ideas, experiences, accounts of real or fictional events are told.
Example
To build partnership and engagement, policymakers are encouraged to use stories to garner attention and support from a target group. A narrative could take place in the realm of text. It could also emerge when relevant statistics are stitched together to substantiate your policy draft. In essence, storytelling is about constructing the reality that serves your purpose, and what appears objective and unbiased – such as numerics – is part of the story, too.
Entry Point
“Entry points” are small-scale causes that can be traced back to a larger, more complex problem. They act as a starter for tackling structural issues.
Example
After the core problem is deconstructed into a variety of issues, policymakers are able to identify ways to address the problem from different angles. For example, to reduce health-related vulnerabilities of the marginalized, policymakers must work out solutions for diverse parties, such as the inaccessible healthcare system or underserved communities.