24 October 2024 – The AIT Belt and Road Research Center (BRRC) partnered with Tongji University in China and the E20 Environmental Platform to organize “The China-Thailand Environmental Cooperation Forum and Launch Ceremony of the China-Thailand Environmental Technology and Industry Cooperation Platform” at BITEC in Bangkok. This forum aimed to strengthen connections and explore collaborative opportunities between China and Thailand in environmental protection, bringing together representatives from governmental, academic, and industrial sectors.
Dr. Suwit Khunkitti, Vice Chairman of the AIT Board of Trustees and former Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Education of Thailand, opened the forum with a welcome address, emphasizing the event’s potential to spur meaningful collaboration. Opening remarks by Mr. Wang Qiang, First Secretary of the Chinese Embassy in Thailand, and Mr. Yang Chunlin, Second-Level Inspector of the Shanghai Municipal Bureau of Ecology and Environment, highlighted China’s environmental progress and ambitions toward sustainable development.
Prof. Pisut Painmanakul of Chulalongkorn University’s Department of Environmental and Engineering delivered a keynote titled “Thailand’s Efforts in Environmental Protection: Achievements and Future Directions.” He highlighted Thailand’s significant progress in reducing carbon emissions, managing plastic waste, and expanding renewable energy through community-driven sustainability projects. Future priorities, he noted, include advancing carbon management, climate adaptation, waste reduction, and promoting sustainable business practices through public-private partnerships and circular economy initiatives.
Prof. Li Fengting, Deputy Dean of the School of Environmental Science and Engineering and the UBEO-Tongji Institute of Environment for Sustainable Development, delivered another keynote, “Evolution and the Way Forward for China’s Environmental Industry.” Prof. Li discussed China’s shift from policy-driven pollution control to a market-oriented approach emphasizing technological innovation, preventive measures, digital solutions, and circular economy practices for proactive environmental management.
The China-Thailand Environmental Cooperation Forum, moderated by Dr. Wenchao Xue, Director of AIT’s BRRC and Head of EEM at SET, featured distinguished experts addressing the pressing environmental challenges. The panel included Dr. Monthip Sriratana, Director of DBAR-ICoE Bangkok from NRCT; Prof. Pisut Painmanakul; and Prof. Li Fengting and Prof. Zong Bingnian from Tongji University. Prof. Pisut underscored Thailand’s urgent need to tackle PM 2.5 pollution, emphasizing the vital role of China-Thailand collaboration in this endeavor. Prof. Zong highlighted the importance of building mutual trust to facilitate effective technology transfer, while Dr. Monthip noted that meaningful capacity building in research and training—such as Thailand’s experience with Japan—requires time and substantial investment. She proposed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between Thailand’s Pollution Control Department and AIT to promote cross-functional cooperation. Prof. Li closed the discussion with a call for strengthened academic programs to deepen Thailand-China partnerships and advance sustainable cooperation.
Dr. Monthip Sriratana and Prof. Li Fengting, served as representatives from AIT and Tongji University, formally launched the China-Thailand Environmental Technology and Industry Cooperation Platform. Prof. Zong Bingnian presented the action plan for the platform, which aims to utilize China’s expertise to tackle Thailand’s pollution challenges, enhance local environmental technology, and promote industrial partnerships. The key objectives include advancing Thailand’s capabilities in environmental technology, establishing the country as a hub within ASEAN, and supporting these initiatives through research, technology demonstrations, and green finance. The implementation will involve collaborative projects, talent development, and initiatives in industrial parks to foster sustainable ecological solutions across Southeast Asia.
The China-Thailand Environmental Cooperation Forum and the launch of this new platform represent a milestone in bilateral environmental efforts. By uniting leaders from government, academia, and industry, the event highlighted a shared commitment to advancing sustainable practices, addressing environmental challenges, and fostering green development across Southeast Asia. The platform’s strategic action plan offers Thailand a pathway to utilize China’s environmental technology expertise, empowering the nation as a key player in ASEAN’s green economy. This collaboration strengthens bilateral ties and aligns with broader regional sustainability goals, paving the way for impactful, long-term environmental progress in the region.
