This issue of TDRI Quarterly Review brings together two articles that address critical questions for Thailand’s long-term resilience: how to build a more sustainable agricultural value chain, and how to adapt work and retirement systems to an aging society.

The first article, “Toward a Resilient and Sustainable Maize Value Chain in Thailand”
– Punpreecha Bhuthong
examines the structural challenges facing Thailand’s feed maize sector, from low productivity and rising production costs to environmental pressures linked to deforestation, crop residue burning, and PM2.5 pollution. As domestic supply remains insufficient to meet the growing demand from the animal feed and livestock industries, the article highlights the need for policy realignment across production, price and cost management, and trade measures to strengthen raw material security while supporting environmental sustainability.

The second article, “Work, Retirement, and Well-Being: What Thailand’s Pre-Retirement Workers Really Want,” – Savinee Mega and Kanyaphak Ngaosri

explores the expectations of formal-sector workers aged 50–60 as they approach retirement. Based on survey data, the study finds that many workers do not wish to stop working abruptly at the mandatory retirement age, but instead prefer a gradual reduction in working hours. The findings point to the importance of more flexible retirement pathways, phased retirement options, and policy designs that reflect the different realities of public and private sector workers.

Together, these articles underscore the importance of forward-looking policy design. Whether in agriculture or labor markets, Thailand’s ability to respond to structural change will depend on policies that balance economic efficiency, social inclusion, and environmental sustainability.