'South Sukhumvit Association' Forms New Creative Economy District and Co-Hosts First Bangkok Design Week in On Nut - Bang Na area

Mr. Onza Janyaprasert, Project Director of Cloud 11 by MQDC, said, "South Sukhumvit has been gradually transforming into a new creative economy neighborhood. Strategically located between the central business district and the international airport, the district stretches along the Sukhumvit road, covering five BTS sky train stations from Onnut, Bang Chak, Punnawithi, Udomsuk to Bang Na. Over the past decades, both private and public sectors have been investing into key infrastructures and real estate projects, forming multiple nodes within the neighborhood and uplifting the quality of life for both residents and visitors in the district. Cloud 11 by MQDC is committed to help elevate the new creative economy while growing inclusively with the surrounding neighborhood, thus we are proud to co-host with other local stakeholders the first Bangkok Design Week 2024 in the district."

Bangkok Design Week is South Sukhumvit Association's Kick-off Project, which aimed to promote South Sukhumvit among both locals and visitors through its creative programs and activities. Celebrating the blend of Local Charm and the future as an Innovation Hub, these activities sought to attract Thai and foreign tourists, stimulated local economy, and promoted creative culture and storytelling of South Sukhumvit.

"As government agencies, entrepreneurs, creators, and locals have been making South Sukhumvit more livable with their different expertise, our association has recognized that Bangkok Design Week is a good platform for our network members to tell their stories to people who might still be unfamiliar with the area. Our participation in the Design Week focused on Livable Space theme. Network members spotlight what they could do, paving the way for collaborations and partnerships that will strengthen joint urban development," Mr. Onza continued.

During Bangkok Design Week 2024, "Discover South Sukhumvit… The Balance of Innovation and Local Charm" concept has materialized in South Sukhumvit via four main types of activities:

1. Exhibition & Installation:
   • a.Creator Station by Cloud 11
   • b.NICE TO MEET YOU SUNA NEIGHBOURMOVE
   • c.Immersive Tunnel Exhibition by BHIRAJ BURI GROUP
   • d.Perfect Doughnut in the Right Moment Installation Art by DROP BY DOUGH
2. International Symposium & Workshop:
   • a.Politics of Food talk by Books & Belongings
   • b.Bangkok Service Design Jam seminar on how to use service design and AI for business upgrade by Creative Lab by MQDC (Magnolia Quality Development Corporation Limited) and True Digital Park
   • c.Healthy Urban Farm Workshop by Chia Tai Company Limited
3. Creative Markets:
   • a.Vaslab Convergence of Market by Vaslab Architecture
   • b.SUNA Market by BHIRAJ BURI GROUP
4. Music Performance and Tour:
   • a.PKN Music Awards Season 2 contest by the Phra Khanong District Office
   • b.SPACE SEEKING South Sukhumvit Architectural Tour by Creative Lab by MQDC (Magnolia Quality Development Corporation Limited) and True Digital Park.

Altogether, South Sukhumvit Association has presented more than 25 programs during the nine-day festival. Organized by 16 organizations, the programs ran from 27 January to 4 February 2024 in the area between BTS On Nut Station and BTS Bang Na Station.

Mr. Trin Nilkorn, Co-founder of AI-Deate platform, described 'PAINT YOUR PARK' program as a success. This program invited people to propose ideas about how to improve South Sukhumvit's urban zone and public spaces during the Bangkok Design Week 2024. "Not only entrepreneurs but also residents were keen about South Sukhumvit development. More than 300 ideas were submitted through the program. This is really a good sign for South Sukhumvit Association's activities or projects in the future. We, after all, need cooperation from all sides to change the district for the better," he said.

Mr. Pitiphatr Buri, Chief Executive Officer of BHIRAJ BURI GROUP, said about his group's activities that, "We prepared three programs for South Sukhumvit during Bangkok Design Week 2024 namely SUNA NEIGHBOURMOVE (an exhibition on Sukhumvit - Bang Na and Suna Market), Rod Daeng Park (mobile parks with red pickups) and Active Lifestyle Spaces of South Sukhumvit (Circle of Health). All of them have received huge interest and warm welcome from people, locals, and passers-by alike. The response from students or youngsters was especially warm. We consider this a good start to spark inspiration, spread knowledge, serve entertainment, promote health, and create good environment. There are opportunities to launch more projects for creative community & sustainable society in the future".

"Our participation in Bangkok Design Week is well-received by the public. With every stakeholder's help, South Sukhumvit has now become better-known by the public, especially the young generation who have learned our neighborhood's stories through the creative programs and design activities we have co-hosted together. South Sukhumvit Association has now planned to upgrade South Sukhumvit further in line with the Phra Khanong - Bang Na Development Strategy, which was co-created by all stakeholders based on Public Private People Partnership (4P) framework. Bangkok Design Week 2024 served as a good platform for South Sukhumvit's first district-level collaboration, and our association plans to continue to uplift South Sukhumvit to become a new creative economy district while growing inclusively with everyone." Mr. Onza Janyaprasert concluded.

For updates about South Sukhumvit Association and its activities, please follow Facebook Fan Page: South Sukhumvit.

• ข่าว Playground