The “Triangle That Moves the Mountain” and Thai Alcohol Policy Development: Four Case Studies
Summary
The “Triangle that Moves the Mountain” is a conceptualized strategy initiated as a social tool for solving difficult social problems, by simultaneously strengthening capacity in three interrelated sectors:
- Creation of knowledge
- Social movement
- Political involvement
The concept has been claimed as the basis of many successes in various Thai policy arenas.
This article describes the strategy implications of four alcohol policy development case studies.
- The first case is the establishment process for the Thai Health Promotion Foundation and its contribution to the alcohol policy area.
- The second and third cases are two phases in the development of alcohol promotion regulation.
- The last case reviews the movement against the approval of an alcohol company listing on the Stock Exchange of Thailand.
The case studies confirm that alcohol policy development is a complicated process, interfacing with multiple and influential stakeholders and competing values. Achievement in alcohol policy advocacy, therefore, is as difficult as moving a mountain for an isolated individual. Case studies also demonstrate the fruitful results of connecting movements in these three sectors, although applying the strategy cannot guarantee success. This strategy has largely supported Thai alcohol policy development, and it has high potential to be effective for other countries. However, some issues should be noted in applying the strategy.
