Ideas conference makes bid to save Bangkok’s ‘green lung’
Sustainable Brands 2018 Bangkok (SB18 Bangkok), a global conference taking place from October 12 to 13, will feature world-renowned leaders in corporate social responsibility (CSR), technology, tourism, food, architecture, the environment and development.
With the theme “Redesigning the Good Life”, the conference – organised annually since 2015 by Dr Sirikul Laukaikul – will be held at the Siamese Fighting Fish Gallery, against the scenic backdrop of the Bang Kachao mangrove forests.
The idea is to raise awareness of this urban oasis and its rapidly dwindling natural resources. Unknown to many, including local residents, Bang Kachao – often described as Bangkok’s green lung – has played a crucial role in providing clean air to the city by trapping 6,000 tonnes of carbon dioxide every year.
Recognised in Time magazine as Asia’s best urban oasis, Bang Kachao faces the challenge of surviving the onslaught of property development. Its pristine forest area and proximity to the city centre have long caught the eyes of investors.
The conference will have inspirational morning talks on the topics mentioned. Lunch both days will entail sumptuous family dishes prepared by Thai cooks. The afternoons will have workshops designed to engage and inspire.
Speakers and workshop moderators will include Sandja Brugmann, a Dane who’s been counted among the world’s “leadership gurus”. Dr Sirikul will interview her on the subject “Can we redesign the good heart and mind?” It was Brugmann who guided shoe brand Crocs from an eight-person startup into a global company worth US$208 million.
Afroz Shah, a United Nations Champion of the Earth in 2016, conducted the world’s largest beach cleanup in Mumbai. He will share insights on heightening people’s awareness and getting them to manage their waste.
Dr Suthat Ronglong, founder of Do in Thai, award-winning architect Duncan Firth of New Zealand and sustainable-energy architect Onishi Takuya of Japan will discuss housing and lifestyle redesign using technology “with the grace of nature”, using Bang Kachao as a case study.
Physician Pipatpong Israsena Na Ayudhya of Doi Kham will share his encyclopaedic knowledge about Thai food with Jarongsak “Satang” Rongdech, producer and presenter of “Pattakarn Bantung” on Thai PBS, and Sripattra Junsaengsook, a local chef in Bang Kachao.
Kei Nakayama, an advocate of Japanese rural tourism and co-founder of Discover Another Kyoto, will explain “How to create good tourism”.
Other speakers are actor-singer Alex Rendell, best-selling author Dr John Izzo, PTT CEO Chansin Treenuchagron, TAT Governor Yuthasak Supasorn, Suntory senior executives and award-winning designer Somchana Kangwarnjit.
Tickets costing Bt6,000 to Bt12,000 can be booked at http://SustainableBrandsBkk.com/sb2018. Find out more at (081) 307 3960.
