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Flooding persisted in 15 provinces on Monday, mostly on the Central Plain, with rising water levels in Ayutthaya and Udon Thani.

The Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation reported flooding in eight provinces on the Central Plain – Uthai Thani, Chai Nat, Sing Buri, Ang Thong, Suphan Buri, Ayutthaya, Pathum Thani and Nakhon Pathom.

Ayutthaya was the only province in the central region which saw rising flood levels and had the most affected households, 49,873 in 12 districts, of any of the 15 inundated provinces nationwide.

Flood levels were either stable or had declined in seven other central provinces.

In the North, flooding was reported in four provinces – Phitsanulok, Sukhothai, Phichit and Nakhon Sawan. Flood levels were stable in Nakhon Sawan and receding in the three other provinces.

In the Northeast, flooding was reported in Ubon Ratchathani, where levels were stable, and Udon Thani, where the water was rising.

In the East, only Chachoengsao was flooded, and the water level was falling.

Trat’s tourism industry is facing a 700-million-baht loss as a United Kingdom travel warning over martial law has prompted widespread cancellations from European visitors, according to the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT).

Acting Sub Lt Korakot Opas, director of the TAT’s Trat office, said a surge of cancellations followed the UK Foreign Office’s advisory against non-essential travel to the province, including Koh Chang.

The advisory, stricter than those from other European nations, has led insurers to refuse coverage, disrupting travel plans.

He said one British traveller, Thomas Robinson, contacted TAT London and the Thai embassy, explaining his insurer declined to cover his trip to Koh Chang despite existing bookings. He requested official confirmation that the island remains safe, hoping it would reverse the insurer’s decision.

Acting Sub Lt Korakot said that Trat is not a conflict zone and remains peaceful. Koh Chang, Koh Kut, and Koh Mak continue to welcome tourists daily.

However, the martial law designation across the entire province – active since 2012 – has raised concerns among European travellers and insurers, who associate it with elevated risk.

He said local tourism operators are urging security authorities to reconsider the blanket status, especially in non-border areas, to restore confidence during peak season. The financial impact is estimated at 700 million baht.

Taweesak Wongwilas, Vice President of Trat’s Tourism Association, noted that Koh Chang remains unaffected by border tensions and continues to attract visitors.

For Chartchai Luangcharoen, failure was never the end but the beginning. Once a struggling farmer in Ban Jamrung of Rayong province, he faced poor harvests, market rejections and scepticism from neighbours.

Yet 25 years later, he has transformed his small village into a model of sufficiency economy, proving that persistence, learning and community spirit can turn hardship into collective achievement.

Ban Jamrung, in Klaeng district, has a history spanning nearly 150 years. Early settlers migrated inland from the coast in search of fertile land, eventually settling near the Jamru Canal. The name “Jamru”, derived from the Chong ethnic language, means a small waterway. Over time, the pronunciation gradually shifted, giving the village its current name.

From struggle to stability

Before Mr Chartchai, a retired village headman and a leader of the community’s sufficiency learning centre, started developing his community in 2000, Ban Jamrung was like many rural communities: farmers trapped by debt, chemical farming and dependence on outside markets.

“I was a farmer myself, with rice fields, durian orchards and rubber plantations,” he recalls. “We worked hard, but it never brought us real security.”

Change began with just 10 neighbours willing to experiment with the sufficiency economy philosophy of HM King Bhumibol Adulyadej The Great. Their aim was not wealth but stability, he told participants of the 4th Executive Programme in Strategic Mass Communication organised by Isra Institute during a recent visit.

Samrueng Deenan, 68, chairman of the Natural Agriculture Learning Centre of the village, recalled that about 30 years ago, he was taught natural farming without using any chemicals by his grandmother. He learnt to make compost rather than buying fertiliser to avoid harm to the soil or contamination of water sources.

He brought the idea into discussions over drinks with friends, including Mr Chartchai. The idea was gradually expanded into what would become the learning centre they have today.

“Most importantly, we adopted the principle of self-reliance, following the sufficiency economy philosophy of His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej The Great,” Mr Samrueng said. “We grow to eat first, and sell the surplus, prioritising happiness over monetary gain.”

Change did not happen overnight. It took 10 years for the principles of sufficiency economy and self-reliance to take root in the minds and daily practices of the villagers. They gradually returned to organic farming, abandoning herbicides and chemicals.

“We feel safe and healthy to eat our own produce,” he said.

Learning through failure

Failure became part of the learning process. “Problem owners must solve problems themselves — that’s a key principle,” Mr Chartchai explains.

The villagers turned to group discussions, brainstorming ways forward. They came up with resolutions. For example, when they found that their durians were too small for the market or oversupply, they sliced and crisped them.

They also processed other food, such as coastal fish, into fish sauce. They upgrade their local herbs to daily used products, such as producing inhalers from cardamom, now sought after even by Swedish residents nearby, he said.

Rice with low market value was distilled into 40-degree spirits and infused with herbs for added health benefits, he said. These innovations reduced waste, enhanced value and lessened debt.

Marketing proved another hurdle. The first “Green Market”, opened two decades ago, collapsed within months. Yet this failure prompted the community to embrace tourism.

Orchards opened their gates to attract seaside holidaymakers, inviting visitors to sample fresh fruits from their farms.

Today, 200 orchards welcome tourists daily, turning a survival tactic into a thriving agro-tourism destination, he said.

A model for others

Ban Jamrung’s success also rests on the principle of networking. The community’s grassroots economy covers five connecting modules: organic production, processing, marketing, tourism and communication, said Mr Chartchai.

Over decades, this integrated system has been nurtured through collaboration with postgraduate students, visiting researchers and state agencies.

The village has developed more than 40 groups reflecting diverse skills and interests: a waste bank, a crab bank, a youth music club and homestay operations.

“We have a monthly meeting to foster problem-solving within each group. We encourage the young generation to participate because we want to ensure that our kids have work they like in the village after graduation, without leaving their families to find jobs in the city,” he said.

After more than two decades of revolution, Mr Chartchai said his community is now stable.

“Stability is measured in four dimensions: strong individuals, effective thinking, functional groups and quality of life. These values form the heart of Ban Jamrung’s success,” he reflects.

“If individuals are strong, the system is strong. If groups are strong, the community is strong.”

Mr Chartchai’s guiding philosophy is simple yet profound: “Sufficiency economy is about generosity and sharing. Once our community is strong, it serves as a model for others to learn from and implement for sustainable development.”

Looking back, Mr Chartchai smiles at the journey from 10 sceptical neighbours to a thousand determined villagers. “We did not aim to be rich. We only want to be stable. And stability, once achieved, is wealth enough,” he said.

Meliá Pattaya Hotel, the fifth Meliá in Thailand, is a 12-storey building on Pattaya Sai Song. Grand Sole Pattaya has been given a major glow-up and emerges anew as Meliá Pattaya Hotel. Had I not been told, I would have thought it was a new property built from the ground up.

As to be expected from Meliá, a great deal of effort and thought has been put into creating a stylish stay. As someone who has – ahem – been to all Meliá hotels in Thailand, I can attest that Meliá Pattaya Hotel doesn’t disappoint.

Upon arrival, you’ll be greeted with good feng shui from the fountain in front of the hotel before you check in at the spacious lobby where you can see from the get-go that the hotel tries to pay homage to the locality, the Gulf of Thailand, from the textured wall panels resembling waves behind the receptionist counters to the different shades of blue on accent pillows and the carpet. Oh, and there are a lot of arches, as per usual for Melia hotels. The wavy inspiration extends to guest rooms and public spaces, as well.

On the way to your room, you may notice the low ceiling and many rounded corners in the hallway, which gives off a cruise ship vibe. In front of each room is a pottery display representing a lost treasure found in the sea. Ranging from 27-125m², the hotel’s 218 rooms and 16 suites come in seven categories.

You’ll be washed over with more interior details inspired by the sea once you step inside a Deluxe Room, from the wallpaper to the bathroom wall tiles. The use of arches and rounded corners, in addition to natural light through the big windows, makes the mostly-white room look very clean and inviting. The room-length sofa sits adjacent to the windows in case you want to take in the view. To make up for its compact size, the bathroom can be opened or closed off with sliding doors.

The Premium Room and The Level Premium Sea View Room are each 31m², with the latter offering, as the name suggests, views of the Gulf’s azure waters. There are also one- and two-bedroom The Level suites that are 61-125m² in space, respectively.

The Level Presidential Suite is where guests can live large. Its spacious kitchen/living room comes with a proper island and a dining table, while its two ensuite bedrooms afford guests a view from the 11th floor.

Higher price tags come with perks as 18 rooms and 16 suites belonging to “The Level” come with exclusive access to The Level Lounge on the hotel’s second floor, where guests get to enjoy various perks such as breakfast, all-day refreshment and afternoon canapés.

The hotel’s beautiful mosaic pool serves as a small oasis, with an adjacent function lawn and Lula pool bar. Five pairs of sunloungers are on the Baja shelf, if you don’t mind the towering condo next to the hotel. To minimise prying eyes, opt for roofed cabanas that can be closed off with curtains.

On the same level, the kids’ club Kidsdom boasts its own pool, a submarine theme and activities to keep little ones occupied.

Still on the same level, Sanehh Sarae, the hotel’s all-day dining restaurant, serves a bountiful breakfast and fresh, locally sourced seafood and tells the story of Pattaya’s Bang Saray fishing village through its decor.

Given that the hotel is under the Spanish hotel group Melia´ Hotels International, you may be surprised that it does Chinese cuisine well. As a nod to the longstanding Chinese communities in Chon Buri, Yitong Chinese Restaurant and Sky Bar does more than justice to Cantonese cuisine and selected Sichuan delights in a sophisticated setting characterised by pops of red, complemented by black and gold trimmings.

Expect generous portions that showcase both flavours and finesse here. Think a succulent fish sliced into a crisscross pattern and deep-fried until it turns golden, a classic platter of char siu, roast duck and crispy pork belly and stir-fried aromatic fish fillet with black bean sauce.

Yitong’s long balcony already offers beautiful views of the Gulf, but you can go upstairs to its rooftop bar for a true sense of openness, weather permitting. There, you can feast your eyes on the horizon dotted with countless boats (and spot the Pattaya city sign) as the sun goes down with a fancy cocktail in hand.

Although the hotel isn’t that tall, thankfully, there are no major buildings that block the view. Either sit at a table for two set near the edge or on comfy bean bags set on the artificial grass. Definitely a romantic spot.

Another dining highlight is the Nikkei restaurant Den and you can’t miss the golden pine tree at the entrance.

Expect non-traditional delights such as Hamachi ceviche with ponzu vinaigrette topped with green chilli and black olives, Salmon crudo with chimchurri sauce and ikura and Spicy wagyu aburi rolls with grilled asparagus and wasabi aioli.

On the other hand, Den also serves a mean Shoyu ramen with braised pork belly and chashu for those who crave something more traditional.

If the night’s still young, catch a free ride from the lobby to Lay Beach Club, which is just across the street from the hotel.

Located on Beach Road, the two-storey beach club offers a stylish yet laid-back feel, signature cocktails, Mediterranean-Asian flavours, poolside fire shows and more. Its upper floor has a huge outdoor Led screen befitting a fancy event.

Unfortunately, vacation calories do count, but you can hit the hotel’s gym which has an interesting design. The layout basically is a passage along the building perimeter with exercise machines and equipment placed in a way that guests get to enjoy some views while working out, instead of the usual one big room.

For a quick serenity, get pampered at Meliá’s signature Yhi Spa. Once again, you’ll be reminded that you’re in Pattaya as a decorative tray of sand and seashell on the floor is the last thing you see as you lie face down in the massage bed’s face cradle before drifting away in bliss.

Given its location in the heart of Pattaya’s action, Meliá guests have plenty of attractions along Beach Road and Pattaya Sai Song, while the Sanctuary of Truth and Bali Hai Pier are just a short car ride away.

Messe Stuttgart in collaboration with Koelnmesse Thailand is holding “LogiMAT and LogiFOOD Southeast Asia 2025” at Bitec Hall 100, Bang Na-Trat Road, from Wednesday to Friday.

Billed as the region’s leading regional logistics and cold chain exhibition, the event will bring together more than 300 leading companies from around the world to present innovations across multiple sectors.

They include smart warehouses, warehouse management systems, food and pharmaceutical logistics, chemical supply chains, cold chain technology, temperature-controlled transportation and sustainable packaging solutions.

Held under the theme “Passion For Solution”, the three-day trade show will feature a wide range of highlights. The “Live Smart Logistics Demonstration” by the Thai Intralogistics Association will showcase live AI and automation demo covering all logistics processes.

The “Smart Halal Logistics Showcase” led by the National Food Institute (NFI) will address strategies in Halal logistics and cold chain management, while the “Smart Logistics Clinic” will offer free training, expert consultations and factory diagnostics from DIPROM, TIA, TRA, TARA and more.

Besides the business matching programme that provides an opportunity to connect with potential partners onsite and online, there will be “LogiSYM-LogiMAT Symposium 2025” delivering more than 20 expert-led seminars with live English-Thai interpretation.

The Department of Medical Sciences (DMSC) has unveiled new regulations for cell banks, aiming to boost biomedical research standards and support the health economy.

Dr Sarawut Boonsuk, director-general of the DMSC, said on Sunday the regulation, set to take effect in early November, will establish certification standards for cell banks, aligning Thailand with international best practices.

The move is expected to enhance safety, quality, and innovation in cell-based research and therapies.

Cell banks store human cells under controlled conditions for future use in medical treatments, research, and product development.

With rapid advancements in cell preservation and utilisation technologies, Dr Sarawut emphasised the need for a robust regulatory framework to ensure trust and safety.

The certification system covers key areas including personnel qualifications, facility standards, equipment, storage protocols, and quality management systems. A manual has been issued to guide both public and private sector operators.

The standards apply to the storage of human cells for research and the development of Advanced Therapy Medicinal Products (ATMPs), which include cutting-edge treatments such as gene and cell therapies.

The regulation was published in the Royal Gazette on Oct 9 and will come into force 30 days later.

Bangkok Illustration Fair (BKKIF) is set to return from Oct 23-26 at CentralWorld Pulse on the 7th floor of CentralWorld. This year, BKKIF will showcase illustrations by 201 artists. Of the 200 artists, 132 are Thai and 68 are from 16 countries including Brunei, China, Greece, Japan, Indonesia, Italy, New Zealand, the Philippines and Russia. Besides these 200 artists, Claudia, a popular artist who was voted for by audiences at BKKIF 2024, will also feature.

At the press conference for BKKIF 2025 at CentralWorld, Vip Buraphadeja, a co-founder of the fair, expressed his excitement when the team was informed by people in the industry that it is the largest in Southeast Asia.

“Our goal was to create a platform that brings artists from different generations, veterans or newcomers, together. Since we focus on diversity, BKKIF accepts all kinds of artwork including hand drawings, digital artwork, collages and cartoons. We have been trying to find possibilities to expand artwork on many platforms. Thus, we invited various organisations, such as art galleries, publications, café and airlines, which we call ‘reviewers’, to come to BKKIF. We hope to create a community and an ecosystem artists will join,” said Vip.

When asked how the BKKIF founders feel about creating the largest illustration fair in Southeast Asia, Chonticha Homklinkaew, said they focus on quality rather than quantity.

“BKKIF focuses on quality of work. Every selected artist who showcases will have opportunities for work. There are reviewers and sponsors who come to BKKIF and select artists whom they want to work with. This community will expand and have solid relationships,” said Chonticha.

Vip added: “I agree with Chonticha. To create the largest event is not so difficult since we can sell more booths, but we do not focus on that. What we are proud of is that we have a community where artists are selected and reviewers are invited to view artwork. This is how we create a pretty large ecosystem which we can be proud of.”

International artists have been interested in BKKIF since its first year in 2001, and the submitting work online for selection has only increased.

“It is great to have artwork from many countries at BKKIF, as artists and visitors are able to see a wide range and learn about the different styles of each country. It provides an exchange of experiences and ideas,” said Vip.

Oomthong Yamsadtham and Punika Areekanchanlert, both young artists, talked about their first experience at BKKIF 2024. The duo confessed that they were not confident in their work, so they decided to share a booth which displayed both their solo and collaborative illustrations.

After the event, they were interviewed by a magazine which led them to work, such as designing books and posters. They exhibited their work at Bangkok Design Week and recently held the duo exhibition “Lost In Calendar” at Somewhere on Pradiphat 17.

“Before BKKIF 2024, not many people paid attention to our posts on social media. BKKIF is a platform that provides us opportunities to be seen by the public. We have gained more followers and more people appreciate our work, so we can understand more about our potential and see how far we can go,” said Punika.

In addition to artists, reviewers play a major role at BKKIF since they provide opportunity to artists. Toby Lu, director of sales and marketing at River City Bangkok, and Jakkrit Yompayorm, founder of Avocado Books, are representatives of BKKIF reviewers.

Lu revealed that River City Bangkok participated in BKKIF since its first year in 2001 and has invested about 10 million baht to support artists. Selected artists have the opportunity to hold solo exhibitions at River City Bangkok.

Jakkrit said that he visited BKKIF before he became a reviewer. He was there to search for artists who had styles comparable with what Avocado Books would be launching.

“After Avocado Books became a BKKIF reviewer, I was committed to select two artists to design our book covers, but I usually like to work with more than two. This year, Avocado Books has worked with more than five artists for book covers and illustrations,” explained Jakkrit.

Another highlight of BKKIF is the lineup of guest artists. To ensure diversity, it must include both solo and group artists, local and international artists, and ages from five to over 40. The six guest artists this year are Noma, Panatthorn “Skill” Fakthong, Pol Huiprasert, Urban Sketchers Thailand, Whosming and The Duang.

Noma is a successful Korean artist. Her paintings often feature young people and animals under an intriguing interplay of light and shadow. She uses either natural settings or urban scenes and infuses them with fantasy inspiration. Her paintings convey the emotions of people in this era, which can sometimes be gloomy, but often harbour a spark of hope and joy of a simple life.

Panatthorn, a five-year-old, is illiterate. His works comes naturally without any instructions. He has drawn over 100 illustrations and told stories through images and words. Panatthorn was discovered by Makut Ornrudee, editor of Butterfly Publishing. This year, Panatthorn held two solo exhibitions at GalileOasis in January and Tang Seng Jua Saen Phuda in June.

Pol is renowned for his production design in the music industry. He creates impressive experiences for concertgoers since he strives to authentically present the artist’s identity and music. He and his team have collaborated with many leading Thai artists including Bodyslam, Nont Tanont, The Toys and 4Eve. Pol will offer a unique and unconventional experiences to the audience at BKKIF 2025.

Urban Sketchers Thailand is a group of art enthusiasts who disregard age or skill. The group draws the landscape and architecture of various locations throughout Bangkok and other provinces. As a group of people with different skills, they create an atmosphere of knowledge sharing and experience exchange. Drawing sessions in old towns also foster knowledge about architectural conservation.

Whosming is a Taipei-based artist whose work often revolves around the theme of travel and coffee. A passionate coffee lover, Whosming began drawing baristas on paper coffee cups during his travels in Portland, USA. This series became an ongoing Instagram hit under the hashtag #mingscups and gained widespread traction. Additionally, Whosming’s album cover design was nominated for Best Recording Package at the Grammy Awards in 2023.

Veerachai Duangpla, better known as The Duang, has grown into a Thai comic artist with over 20 years experience. He is renowned for his cool lines, witty characters and engaging storylines. His notable works include creating gangster-style characters for NFTs, which successfully led to the Gangster All Star series.

BKKIF has changed the lives of many aspiring artists, but Vip and Chonticha are humble and do not take credit for that. They only organise the event, which brings reviewers to artists, but they are proud to witness the success of the creatives.

“It was so cool to see artists who sell their work at a booth in BKKIF. Then, they became like a star and we see their work everywhere,” said Chonticha.

“I am proud of seeing them grow. Some artists now have solo exhibitions while some are involved in big projects. Some of them have grown in ways we never imagined. I am really proud and glad to see that,” said Vip.

In these chaotic times that many characterise in terms of rollback, regression, and retreat, there is one measure that continues to surge ahead — global temperature. The year 2024 was the hottest ever since worldwide temperature recording began. Though climate occupied a major space in discussions at the UN General Assembly in New York City last month, significant progress did not emerge from the fractured international environment.

President Trump called climate change a “con job” when he addressed the assembly, making it clear that the US will not join in working toward a solution to the climate crisis while he is in the White House.

Meanwhile, the health impacts of extreme heat are rising at a furious pace. Cardiovascular and kidney failure are common byproducts of soaring heat with deadly consequences. Research by the World Economic Forum projects that heatwaves will be responsible for two million additional deaths in the next 25 years.

While we are all put at risk by extreme heat, those who are most vulnerable to its ravages, and with the least recourse to protect themselves, are workers who must subject themselves to dangerous temperatures just to earn a living. Indeed, the UN’s International Labour Organization posits that 70% of the global workforce is at risk from death or injury because of extreme heat. A new joint report from the World Health Organization (WHO) and the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) calls for action to ameliorate the harm.

The prescription to prevent heat-related illness and death is not sophisticated, but it is effective: water, rest, and cooling. Yet, too many workers doing outdoor labour in the informal sector do not have access to those lifesaving measures or fear they will be sanctioned for using them.

Now, advocates and policymakers around the world are joining together to create heat action plans and laws designed to protect workers. Because conditions differ geographically and needs vary by sector, plans should be locally targeted and must involve workers in the planning process to be effective.

In earlier times, workers in informal sectors may have had the latitude to pace their work to avoid the hottest part of the day. The 24/7 demands ofcontemporary work have obliterated that latitude. The UK’s National Centre for Social Research now estimates that 60% of informal outdoor workers must work during peak midday hours.

Some heat action plans have had success in shifting work in particular sectors away from the hottest part of the day by adding a lengthy midday break. When the heat action plan in the Indian state of Andhra Pradesh included carving out peak heat hours from construction schedules, those workers without a place to cool off during the midday found that their waking/working hours had been stretched to a 20-hour day, so cooling/resting facilities were added to worksites. This again highlights the importance of ensuring that occupational heat policies are worker-centred to be effective and to avoid unintended consequences penalising the very workers they are meant to help.

Thailand is to be commended for revising its national occupational heat standard in 2006 to use a Wet Bulb Globe Temperature (WBGT) index to more accurately project dangerous heat. But there are questions about enforcement of the policy and its effectiveness, as many of the prescriptions are suggestions for employers, rather than requirements, so it may be time to update the standard.

In Bangkok, the rapid pace of development has created its own extreme heat challenges. Use of concrete, glass and other heat-absorbing building materials has helped created an “urban heat island” effect in the city, making it even hotter than surrounding areas. Though the city continues to make progress in creating neighbourhood parks, there is still a long way to go to reach the WHO’s recommendation of a minimum of 9 square metres of green space per person to aid in cooling and other health benefits.

Heatwaves in Thailand, and throughout Southeast Asia, can be particularly lethal, due to the region’s high humidity, as the body primarily cools itself through the evaporation of sweat, which is impeded by humidity. But as deadly, recent heatwaves in Europe, Japan and the US attest, the adverse effect of extreme heat is now felt far from the equator.

In the past 25 years, heat-related deaths have more than doubled in the US. The Biden administration had proposed landmark workplace protections that included a national heat standard which would trigger enforceable requirements for employers, including the provision of drinkable water, cooling rest areas and 15-minute breaks. Unfortunately, the current Trump administration has shown no interest in implementing this standard.

In the absence of a national heat standard, US states are moving forward to establish measures to protect workers. Seven states have passed outdoor workplace heat standards and more are being considered.

California has the oldest state heat standard, and it provides a case study on the effectiveness of such laws. Researchers recently compared county-level data concerning outdoor workplace heat deaths in California to neighboring states without heat standards. They demonstrated that the heat standard was associated with a 43% reduction in deaths.

Even as some states are moving forward with worker protections, Texas and Florida have banned their own cities from creating municipal heat standards. Sadly, support for worker health and safety in the US is breaking down along political party lines. The issue of workplace protections against extreme heat should not create a partisan divide, nor should it pit employer against worker. The new WHO/WMO report states that, “Protection of workers from extreme heat is not just a health imperative but an economic necessity.”

The report found that worker productivity drops by 2-3% for every degree above 20 degrees Celsius. This, coupled with the human and economic cost of heat-related illness, disability and death, should make action on extreme heat a priority for all of us.

We must engage workers, trade unions, employers, health experts and local authorities in developing plans that are applicable to their communities. Public education and awareness must be raised about the signs of heat distress. Common sense access to clean water, shade and rest must be ensured. And adoption of innovative technology that safeguards health while maintaining productivity should be prioritised.

Workers around the world should be protected from the effects of extreme heat — from the highway worker spreading asphalt in Texas to the motorcycle delivery driver navigating rush-hour traffic in Bangkok. While the frustrating one-step-forward/two-steps-back dance on climate change continues nationally and globally, we can and must do something to mitigate its devastating impact on those in our midst.

The global food system is failing on multiple fronts. With more than 2.6 billion people unable to afford a healthy diet, over 500 million are expected to be chronically undernourished by 2030. Worse, at a time when meeting future demand requires a 50% increase in food production, food-system productivity is actually declining, owing partly to rising climate risks. Agrifood industries are not only driving biodiversity loss, land degradation, and a global water crisis, but also generating almost one-third of global greenhouse-gas emissions.

School-meal programmes could brighten this picture. Current annual spending on them stands at $84 billion (2.7 billion baht) worldwide, reaching 466 million children — an increase of $36 billion since 2022. When world leaders met in Brazil last week for the Global Summit of the School Meals Coalition, they rightly celebrated this progress. Countries from Canada to Indonesia are launching national programmes, creating one of the world’s largest social safety nets.

But school meals are about more than expanding welfare provisions. When designed properly, they represent a powerful opportunity to transform entire food systems, achieve Sustainable Development Goal 2 (“Zero Hunger”), drive economic growth, and advance climate and environmental goals. As I argue in a new report with the World Food Programme, realising this potential requires moving beyond social policy to embed school meals in industrial strategies, with procurement serving as a key lever of change.

For decades, the dominant economic-policy approach has been to “fix” markets only after they have already failed. Hence, governments and international aid programmes tend to provide meals in situations of acute need, while rarely challenging the underlying incentives shaping food systems. Public procurement typically rewards low costs and risk minimisation, entrenching short-termism at the expense of a longer-term investment perspective.

The primary beneficiaries have been large agrifood corporations, with the entire sector exhibiting high levels of financialisation and concentration of market power. As a result, many children are served food that is high in calories but low in taste or nutrients, and opportunities available to local, more ecologically sustainable producers remain limited.

Siloed governance reinforces the problem. With education ministries generally overseeing school meals, existing programmes are rarely connected to broader industrial strategies, agricultural policies, or climate initiatives. Billions of dollars are being spent annually without any serious effort to leverage the transformative potential of public investment. That is why more than 150 Nobel and World Food Prize laureates have called for a “moonshot approach” to fix the global food system.

They are right to do so. But I would add that success requires a mission-oriented approach, not just another production push. School meals should be recognised as public infrastructure capable of shaping markets and stimulating innovation throughout the value chain. The evidence shows that returns can be huge, ranging from $7 to $35 for every dollar invested, with the benefits shared across the health, education, social protection, and local agriculture sectors.

However, the even bigger opportunity lies in public procurement’s market-shaping power. Stable demand from school-meal programmes can encourage farmers and suppliers to invest in greener, healthier practices. Demand-led growth creates employment along wider value chains. According to some estimates, more than 1,500 direct jobs are created for every 100,000 students fed, plus many more in farming, transportation, food preparation, and monitoring.

Meal procurement can also help catalyse innovation in nutrition, regenerative agriculture, and circular-economy techniques, as well as accelerating the growth of newer markets. Alternative proteins (such as plant-based and lab-grown options), for example, are projected to grow to $417 billion globally by 2034.

While a growing number of countries are implementing school-meal programmes that do integrate economic, health, and sustainability goals through strategic procurement, many others are falling short. To unlock the full power of school meals, governments must embed them in mission-oriented industrial strategies.

The first step is to position school meals as drivers of innovation, sustainability, and decent work — not as costs but as investments that will generate multiplier effects across health, agriculture, and local economies. Success requires a whole-of-government approach that engages ministries of finance, industry, agriculture, health, and education. For example, Brazil’s National School Feeding Programme has been explicitly integrated into its broader mission-oriented industrial strategy, which emphasizes sustainable agribusiness value chains that contribute to food security. At least 30% of budgets must go toward products from local family farms, and the programme also offers incentives for sustainable land-use practices and support for contract bidding. As a result, the gross production value for participating family farms has already increased by one-third.

The second step is to redesign procurement and institutions. Procurement must focus on local, sustainable, and inclusive supply chains, linking school meals to family farms, small and medium-size enterprises, and agroecological producers. Contracts should reward outcomes — nutrition, sustainability, and economic impact — rather than the lowest cost. They also should come with conditions to align private-sector behaviour with public goals. Scotland has unlocked the benefits of universal free school meals through procurement reform, sustainability and fair work requirements, and processes that allow councils to collaborate in bulk buying.

Third, policymakers must embrace their role as market-shapers. School-meal programmes can be platforms for innovation, but only with broad stakeholder participation. For example, Sweden’s innovation agency has launched a mission to provide “school meals that are tasty, healthy, and sustainable” to all students by 2030 and is prototyping solutions in collaboration with students, farmers, civil society, and politicians, linking procurement to its National Food Strategy and carbon-neutral welfare goals.

The fourth step is to strengthen public-sector capabilities. Mission success requires dynamic state capacity, not risk-averse compliance. Governments must empower agencies to experiment, adapt, and shape markets, rather than simply procuring services.

Lastly, governments must pursue global cooperation. International trade and investment rules may need to be reformed to enable food-system transformations. The G20, climate conferences, the World Bank, and the School Meals Coalition should position school meals as a powerful green-industrial-policy instrument as they look for ways to support governments in building state capacity and creating fiscal space.

School meals represent an enormous opportunity to move beyond incremental progress toward transformational change. The question is not whether we can afford to invest in school meals, but whether we can afford not to harness their full potential.

As climate concerns mount and urban living intensifies, Thailand’s property sector is turning to sustainability as both a necessity and a market opportunity.

Developers and consultants say “green homes” are no longer a niche concept, instead quickly becoming an expectation across generations of buyers.

“Air pollution, flooding, rising temperatures, and limited green spaces are no longer distant threats. They affect residents’ daily lives,” said Somboon Wasinchutchawal, chief financial officer at Frasers Property Thailand (FPT) and acting chief executive of Frasers Property Home.

“Developers must rethink housing design to respond to these challenges.”

URBAN LIVING PRESSURES

Mr Somboon outlined four pressing external threats that increasingly shape residential design: flooding, air pollution, insufficient greenery, and the urban heat island effect.

For example, Bangkok has only 7.8 square metres of green space per person, less than the World Health Organization’s benchmark of 9 sq m.

“Thailand’s PM2.5 levels are 4.8 times higher than global standards,” he said. “This is no longer a seasonal inconvenience, but rather a structural health risk. Homes must now act as protective environments, not just shelters.”

Compounding the problem is energy demand. Electricity use in Bangkok has surged by 26% over the past five years, driven mainly by air conditioning in hotter weather.

Most of Thailand’s power still comes from carbon-based fuels, highlighting the link between household consumption and national emissions.

“Designing homes that consume less energy directly supports carbon reduction,” said Mr Somboon.

HIDDEN RISKS INSIDE

Environmental challenges are not confined to the outdoors. Indoor living poses health risks, particularly from volatile organic compounds (VOCs) emitted by paints, carpets, wallpapers and synthetic materials.

“Research shows indoor VOC concentrations are often higher than outdoors,” he said. “That makes ventilation, material selection, and design critical to residents’ health.”

Water use is also climbing, rising 20% per household in the last five years.

Meanwhile, waste mismanagement remains acute, with 23% of household waste improperly disposed of, often ending up in waterways, said Mr Somboon.

“The question is how to design homes that save water, reduce waste and support healthy air,” he said. “Passive design — using airflow, daylight and heat control — and active systems such as clean-air exchange units must both play a role.”

EMBEDDING ESG IN DESIGN

FPT has begun adopting design principles that extend beyond aesthetics to sustainability metrics, including heat-insulating roofs, water-saving fixtures, and construction waste management.

Worker welfare is also part of the equation, with proper housing camps and care for workers’ families built into project planning.

“From design to operations, we now calculate potential carbon reductions step by step,” said Mr Somboon. “This applies not only to offices, malls, hotels and warehouses, but also residential projects.”

Three main strategies guide the approach: energy and environment, health and wellness, and smart features and facilities.

Solar rooftops are being installed on single houses, clubhouses, and even swimming pools.

Air systems with PM2.5 filters are now standard in detached homes. Some projects also plan in-home food waste digesters.

“Every unit has at least 15% green space by law, but we go beyond that,” he said. “Gen Z in particular views sustainability as a must. They are willing to pay more for green homes, and Baby Boomers are prepared to pay up to 10% extra.”

LEED AND GREENER HOMES

Soravit Angsuvarungsri, senior sustainability consultant at SCG Building and Living Care Consulting, said The Grand Riverfront Ratchapruek-Rama 5 project was the first landed housing development in Thailand and Southeast Asia to secure LEED Gold certification — a level awarded to buildings that earn between 60 and 79 points from the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) system.

“LEED homes remain rare worldwide, with certified buildings making up 25% of the market,” Mr Soravit said.

“Of these, only 5% are innovators, 20% market leaders, 70% follow typical practices, and 5% are ‘law-breakers’. This shows how much room there is for growth.”

The project applies LEED’s residential framework to single-family homes, addressing water, drainage, insulation, energy use, and indoor environmental quality.

“Water conservation is vital, as about 70% of household water use is indoor,” he said.

Fixtures are benchmarked, with faucets at 3-5 litres of water per minute, showers 5-6.5 litres, and toilets 3.8-4.5 litres per flush. Leak and pressure tests are conducted before handover.

Drainage is carefully engineered, with rainwater and air conditioning condensate routed away from the home’s foundations to prevent subsidence, termites and mould, said Mr Soravit.

“In many Thai homes, the second floor becomes unusable at midday due to heat from the roof,” he said. “By upgrading insulation to 22.5 centimetres — three times the normal standard — we keep upstairs spaces comfortable and cut cooling needs.”

Lightweight concrete blocks at least 10 cm thick provide superior heat and sound insulation compared with traditional bricks, while windows use heat-resistant glazing to reduce thermal transfer without sacrificing views.

SOLAR POWER and GREEN SPACE

Energy efficiency is reinforced by installing 4.4-kilowatt solar rooftops on every unit, cutting annual electricity bills by about 70,000 baht, or 75% of typical consumption, said Mr Soravit.

“We also dedicate 30% of the project area to green space, supporting biodiversity and improving residents’ quality of life,” he said.

Indoor air quality is addressed with heat recovery ventilators adapted from commercial use, which filter out 99.7% of PM2.5 and exchange heat so incoming air is cool and clean.

“Bangkok receives seasonal smog every year. Families want homes where the air is safe,” said Mr Soravit.

TECHNOLOGY and MATERIAL CHOICES

Homes also integrate real-time indoor air quality monitoring, tracking PM2.5, humidity, carbon dioxide and VOCs. Low-VOC materials are used in paints, adhesives, and finishes to limit emissions.

Bathrooms receive special attention, with humidity-controlled ventilation to reduce mould and odours.

Home automation systems let residents set optimal cycles for airflow and dehumidification.

“Our aim is to enhance residents’ well-being while lowering their utility bills. Sustainability cannot come at the expense of comfort,” he said.

GENERATIONAL SHIFT

Mr Somboon also highlighted shifting consumer preferences. Surveys show strong interest in sustainable housing across all age groups, with Gen Z buyers placing the greatest emphasis on environmental, social and governance (ESG) factors.

Baby Boomers are prepared to pay a premium for eco-friendly homes that promise lower bills and better health outcomes.

“Every generation is showing a willingness to pay more,” he said. “But it is Gen Z, now entering the property market, who will shape demand going forward.”

REGIONAL BENCHMARK

Thailand’s adoption of ESG in housing mirrors global trends where green building is moving from experimental to mainstream.

Developers said once early projects prove cost-effective and attractive to buyers, standards quickly rise across the industry.

“The challenge is to adapt global benchmarks like LEED to local conditions,” Mr Soravit said. “Heat, humidity and air pollution make Thai homes different, but the solutions we pioneer here could set benchmarks for Southeast Asia.”

Mr Somboon agreed, stressing that sustainability must remain central, not decorative.

“This is not about greenwashing — it’s about redesigning homes so that people live healthier, pay less for utilities, and leave a lighter footprint on the planet,” he said.

With developers investing in solar energy, ventilation systems, waste management and sustainable materials, the housing market is entering a new phase. Industry leaders believe early adopters will gain a strong market edge as environmental and regulatory pressures increase, said Mr Somboon.

“Green homes are no longer a luxury,” he said. “They are a necessity for urban living in a warming world.”

As Thai developers push to integrate ESG into residential design, they are not only improving lives, but also positioning the country as a regional leader in sustainable living, noted Mr Somboon.