Aphilak Kasempholkoon
Assistant Professor, Faculty of Liberal Arts, Mahidol University
Driven by a deep curiosity about his own origins, Aphilak's journey led him to become a folklorist, captivated by the exploration of beliefs, cultures, traditions, and customs. This passion sparked his vision to "bridge the old world with the new." In a rapidly advancing world, he questions how many people truly value the lessons of the past and apply them to shape the future. Dr. Kai believes that the old and new worlds can be connected, starting with community development. His research, such as studying the "spirit system" to understand societal order through belief, and revitalizing folklore to add value to communities in innovative ways, underscores his commitment to showing that these stories belong to everyone and remain relevant in our modern lives.
Chamaiporn Charoenkraikamol
Head of Department of Nursing, Siriraj Hospital
Chamaiporn is the Head of the Department of Nursing at Siriraj Hospital, where she has devoted her career to improving patient care. Over the years, she has witnessed the many challenges patients face in accessing medical treatment, which inspired her to take action. "I don’t want anyone to endure the hardships I've seen," she says. Leveraging her extensive experience and leadership, Chamaiporn pioneered a cross-ward bed-sharing system, addressing the critical issue of bed shortages and enhancing patient access to care. Her innovative strategies for managing workloads and overcoming challenges have significantly improved coordination and efficiency across hospital departments, leading to smoother operations and better outcomes for patients.
Chittakarn Suvanabhat
Artist
Chittakarn, also known as ‘Yaipoeng & Naipran,’ is passionate about changing the negative perceptions often associated with individuals on the autism spectrum. Too often, their talents and abilities are overlooked or undervalued. Chittakarn believes that giving these individuals the opportunity to express themselves through art is a powerful way to shift these perceptions. By promoting art therapy, specifically "Communication Through Art for Individuals with Autism" with Yaipoeng, Chittakarn is working to create spaces where their skills can shine. She is a driving force behind this initiative but recognizes that it will take a collective effort to expand these opportunities and create a broader platform for inclusion and expression.
Gorn Wannapairote
Medical Student and Member of PROXIE
In a world that constantly moves forward, often driven by the expectations of others, Gorn understands the struggle of staying true to oneself. He believes that we don’t have to choose between different aspects of our identity but can embrace all of them fully. By accepting and expressing our true selves, we can discover what we’ve been searching for and inspire others to do the same. Gorn's journey reflects his belief that we can wear multiple hats, living out the roles we've dreamed of without waiting for anyone's approval.
Kanticha Chumma
Actress and Model
"Ticha" Kanticha Chumma is challenging the norms in Thai society by addressing the often taboo topic of sex. Many still consider discussions about sex inappropriate or shameful, which can lead to significant societal issues like sexual harassment and teen pregnancy. Ticha is determined to change this narrative by making sex education more accessible and less stigmatized. Through her YouTube channel, 'Ticha Kanticha,' she engages her audience in open conversations about sex, aiming to fill knowledge gaps and promote understanding. Ticha hopes to shift the perception of sex from a taboo subject to an essential part of personal and social well-being, helping to create a more informed and open-minded society.
Monchai Lertsutthiwong
Head of AI Research, KASIKORN Business-Technology Group
Monchai believes that having a clear vision of our future selves can inspire us to make better choices today. This belief drove him to co-develop "Future You," an innovative AI chatbot that acts like a virtual time machine, allowing users to have conversations with their future selves. Unlike typical AI, Monchai sees "Future You" as a way to enhance human thinking and help people make better life decisions. By letting users glimpse their potential futures, Monchai aims to empower them to live more intentionally and positively.
Narudee Soontornvinate
Visionary Designer and Founder of Double V Space
During her studies, Nattha was challenged by unconventional design tasks, such as creating a "house that causes divorce" and a "bathroom for people with disabilities." These experiences revealed the profound impact that architects and interior designers can have in shaping experiences and evoking emotions, both positive and negative, for those who inhabit their spaces. For Nattha, every design is infused with spirit and meticulous attention to detail, tailored to the unique needs and aspirations of her clients rather than following a one-size-fits-all approach. She believes that to create a truly livable home, one must deeply understand the genuine desires of its residents, ensuring that each space she designs is not just a house, but a home filled with meaning and connection.
Supat Chaiyakul
Assistant Professor, Faculty of Public Health, Mahidol University
As diabetes becomes increasingly prevalent, one of the significant challenges for patients is the cost of medical foods, which are often more expensive than regular foods due to the need for imports. As a nutrition researcher, Supat sought to address this issue by focusing on locally available, affordable, and nutritionally rich produce—particularly rice. Through dedicated research and experimentation, she successfully developed rice-based medical food products that are both cost-effective and nutritionally adequate, thereby enhancing the value of Thailand's agricultural products.
Supatchaya Techachoochert
Environmental Activist
As an environmental environmental activist and researcher, Supatchaya is deeply committed to bridging the gap between people and nature. She recognizes that the environment is intertwined with every aspect of our lives, from the air we breathe to the food we consume. Yet, as our planet faces growing challenges, she questions how many truly understand the value of our natural resources—like rivers and rocks—that sustain our ecosystems. Supatchaya's work focuses on the complexities of environmental preservation, emphasizing that simple actions like waste separation and recycling, while seemingly straightforward, are often more challenging than they appear. She believes that our lack of true understanding and appreciation for nature has distanced us from the environment more than we realize.
Thanapat Ryan Ogaslert
Sound Artist
Thanapat is a sound Artist, Alumni from College of Music's Mahidol University, who obsessed with creating new sound from environment by using live coding techniques to call some forgotten parts of life being alive again. Depending on time and place, sound creates different waves and emotions. For example, the familiar sounds of your hometown might evoke nostalgia, while your favorite song could give you the courage to confess your love. In this way, sound acts as a thread that connects ideas, experiences, and memories, leaving a meaningful impact on a person’s life.
Wanna Jarusomboon
Founder of Peaceful Death
Wanna understand that death is an inevitable part of life—one that we cannot avoid or deny. The impending loss of a loved one often brings overwhelming emotions, confusion, and uncertainty about what to do next. Having personally experienced such moments, Wanna began exploring the concepts of life and death, which eventually led to the founding of Peaceful Death. The group's mission is to foster a healthy perspective on death and encourage spending meaningful, peaceful time with terminally ill patients during their final moments, helping to create a serene and dignified end to life.
Wichai Kamnerdmongkon
Founder of Coffee De Hmong
Wichai sees coffee as much more than just a morning beverage. For him, coffee is a catalyst for creating enduring friendships between the community and their ancestral forests. It also serves as a source of income and professional skills for the villagers of Ban Mani Phruek in Nan Province, while promoting ecological balance. Wichai is committed to "precision farming," driven by the belief that when we invest care and attention into what we do, the results will always be exceptional.