Home icon-nav Media icon-nav News icon-nav “Smile” and “Culture” are Not Only Thailand’s Strong Suits – NIA to Unveil Reimagined “Innovative”

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“Smile” and “Culture” are Not Only Thailand’s Strong Suits – NIA to Unveil Reimagined “Innovative”

Smile and Culture are Not Only Thailands Strong Suits - NIA to Unveil Reimagined Innovative

When people asked what is the uniqueness of Thailand, many would think of the land of smile and riches of cultural heritage. Yet, they are not only things what signifies the identity Thailand as it also has an unrivaled “innovation” to offer. 

We have observed many innovative ideas and twists of creativity from Thai people, especially during a crisis such as flooding and the recent outbreak of COVID-19. Examples of innovative ideas introduced were real-time COVID-19 Tracker, negative pressure mobile bed, ventilator, 1-hour saliva-based screening test for Covid-19, and remote healthcare or "Telehealth" that provide medical consultation service without the need for hospital visits.

This is not limited to crisis-driven innovations. Thais have always been innovating and scaling up those ideas to products to improve quality of life. That is the main reason why the National Innovation Agency (Public Organization) (NIA) kick-started the Innovation Thailand campaign to reimagined Thailand as an innovative country and raise awareness and pride of Thai people in locally-made innovation.

Dr. Pun-Arj Chairatana, Executive Director of National Innovation Agency (Public Organization) said “Thais integrated their experiences and wisdom with optimism, humor, attention to details, research, to refine products into what we called “Innovation for Crafted Living” that reflects Thai’s identity. The products then classified into seven categories; Healthy Living, an innovation that focuses on health which holistically includes both healthcare and prevention; Easy Living, innovation that promotes equality in ease of living for elderly, persons with disabilities, and underprivileged people; Smart Living, innovation for global environment that range from clean energy source, waste disposal, pollution reduction, and Bio-Circular-Green Economy approach; Connected Living, innovation that connects people with same interest with digital technology that bridges mental gaps; Safe Living, innovation for security and safety of the livings and their properties – comprehensively addressed safety issues in all aspect of life, both indoor and outdoor living; Wealthy Living, innovation that creates new self-supporting job opportunities to uplift the quality of life and; Happy Living, innovation for tourism, music, and recreation, leading to a relaxed and joyful living.”

"NIA has disseminated information on noteworthy Thai innovations under the Innovation Thailand campaign on www.innovationthailand.org. Thai people would acknowledged and take pride in an unrivaled local innovation. On top of that, NIA is working in collaboration with 7 Innovation Thailand representatives to promote awareness of innovation across 7-dimensions through 7 video clips. This is a united effort of innovation representatives and new generations to shape new perspectives and elevated and reimagined Thailand and became recognized with pride.” said, Dr. Pun-Arj.

Dr. Kanpassorn Suriyasangpetch the creator of the OOCA application will represent Heathy Living innovation, while Chatchai Aphibanpoonpon, the developer of PANNANA application for the visually impaired will represent Easy Living innovation. Whereas, Smart Living innovation will be presented by 'Kru Loukgolf’ or Kanatip Soonthornrak, co-founder of Little Big Green project. Chanond Ruangkritya, Chief Executive Officer and President of Ananda Development Public Company Limited will represents Connected Living innovation and Safe Living innovation will be presented by 5Lab, the developer of COVID-19 Tracker Application that displays COVID-19 infected area.  The founder of the MISSSION TO THE MOON page and podcast, Rawit Hanutsaha will represents Wealthy Living and lastly, Yuthana Boonorm also known as 'Pa Ted', the pioneer of Thai music festival will represent Happy Living innovation. The 7 representatives provided insightful VDOs on different perspectives of innovation.

 

 

Dr. Kanpassorn Suriyasangpetch

Emphasized the implications of innovation "Since the world is leaping forward, to stop evolving would mean going backward. Innovation is crucial as it create values for existing products. Thailand’s strong point is in health-related innovation. Thai start-ups have a passion to help people to live a healthier and better life. We have been developing HealthTech for quite some time, we can say that we are one of the very first countries in the region that does this. I would encourage Thai people to look around, there are so many innovators and thinkers who have created novel ideas into innovation. Whether it is an application or a Telemedicine system for medical appointments and queuing applications. We also have developed patient care devices and prosthesis construction. Many other healthy living innovations are very interesting and we are proud of.”

 

Dr. Kanpassorn Suriyasangpetch 

Emphasized the implications of innovation "Since the world is leaping forward, to stop evolving would mean going backward. Innovation is crucial as it create values for existing products. Thailand’s strong point is in health-related innovation. Thai start-ups have a passion to help people to live a healthier and better life. We have been developing HealthTech for quite some time, we can say that we are one of the very first countries in the region that does this. I would encourage Thai people to look around, there are so many innovators and thinkers who have created novel ideas into innovation.  Whether it is an application or a Telemedicine system for medical appointments and queuing applications. We also have developed patient care devices and prosthesis construction. Many other healthy living innovations are very interesting and we are proud of.”

 

Thais should be proud of local innovations, 'Kru Loukgolf’ or Kanatip Soonthornrak 

Persuaded Thais to celebrate this achievements “Thailand has abundant ideas and this is admirable. Personally, I noticed that we became creative when we are lack of something. When I was a student in the Communication Arts, the Faculty is well-known for not having enough cameras so it forced us to think of a way to reach full utilization of cameras. When there were no lighting device, we have to think how to make the lighting glow best with only one light available. Another thing that we appreciates is the ability to transform things around us into a into a functional tool. Many of my foreigner friends were amazed by a bowl made natural materials. I want Thais to be proud of these notable ideas of our own. Let’s learn more about Thai innovation stories, then you will realize that those ideas are really cool."

 

Whereas, Chanond Ruangkritya

Touched on the innovation mindset “Innovation is what drives the world. In fact, innovation is very basic. If we were farmers, the way farmers reserve water has always been that innovation that lives with us. But in this digital era, we are able to see innovative change at a faster pace. I think that innovation is in the DNA of Thai people, it has to be embedded in our mindset. Whenever we wake up, we should be eager to learn, curious, want to improve, and do it better. Let us have the right mindset and a positive one. If we have a negative mindset, then it would result in an adverse innovation, for instance, if you are a terrorist, you would likely create a pathogen to kill other humans or modify the virus DNA. Therefore, innovation should start with a positive mindset." 

 

5lab has given their insights on the future trend of innovation

5lab has given their insights on the future trend of innovation “Innovation is a novel idea that no one has ever done before to improve what we have or the way we live. Therefore, I want everyone to think that they can be a part of innovation in any way we can. There are many local innovations, that have not become known to the public. People might think that innovation has to be something big and complex, on the contrary, it could begin at a smaller scale. More people should come up with more ideas and executions. To put this in perspective, I believe that future innovation trends will involve lifestyle and health such as food innovation, agricultural technology, or various HealthTech."

Innovation not only uplifts our quality of life, but it also creates jobs and income. Rawit Hanutsaha

Pointed out the importance of innovation in economics that "Innovation is essential to the country, it gives us the direction how to generate income, how to strengthen the economic growth to be on par with other foreign countries.  If we observe countries that focus on innovation have a leap flog growth in a never-ending cycle of innovation. Whenever an innovation is created, so is a new supply chain, occupation, and income. If innovation adds value to products and services, revenue will also increase. There are many opportunities for innovation in Thailand and I am convinced that we are capable of making it happen.  Another factor we have observed in another country is how local people support these products, especially in the beginning. And I would like to see the same for our country."

 

To finish off, Yuthana Boonorm

Also known as 'Pa Ted' told us about innovation in the entertainment industry that “Thai people have been capable of making innovations and new ideas within the entertainment industry since long time ago. Especially in areas that require a lot of twists, one example is a parade truck. It used to be a truck decorated with advertisement board that played music on loud volume. But now it has become a bandwagon using a larger truck, large enough to be an open stage for bands to perform live. During COVID-19, it also offered virtual concerts. We need to distinguish innovation from technology because it has a broader aspect. It can resolve pain points and it is practical. In this matter, Thailand is an expert because when we look around there are many innovations that have been with us since childhood. I want everyone to think innovatively, start from problems around them and solve them with new ideas. Just as it is, we have already created an innovation."


Those interested may watch all 7 video clips and learn more about notable Thai innovations at www.innovationthailand.org or FB: Innovation.THA. 

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