Central Pattana, in partnership with TEDxBangkok 2025, creates “Conversation for the Future,” an idea-sharing platform to shape the ‘Better Futures’ of Bangkok and Thailand

Bangkok – Central Pattana Plc, , Thailand’s No.1 sustainable real estate leader, operates under the vision “Imagining better futures for all.” The company integrates its Retail, Residence, Hotel, and Office businesses to reinforce its role as a placemaker dedicated to enhancing quality of life for all. In partnership with TEDxBangkok 2025 under the theme “Through the Cracks,” Central Pattana aims to raise awareness of social challenges and fractures within Thai society, while inviting collective exploration of solutions for better living.

This collaboration comes to life through “Conversations for the Future,” a dedicated space for dialogue grounded in the belief that every conversation can spark positive change. The initiative seeks to generate ideas and extend the development of future spaces for Bangkok and Thailand. Attending the event were the next generation of Central Pattana’s executives, led by Mr. Naputt Chirathivat, Head of Project Operation – Special Projects, and Ms. Pawan Chirathivat, Manager, Hotel Business Development.

Within the event space, the environment was thoughtfully designed as a platform for urban voices to exchange perspectives through conversations across a wide range of topics, including Better Futures, Urban Life, Equality, Mental Health, and Sustainability. These themes were brought to life through thought-provoking questions such as: What’s your dream for Bangkok in the next 10 years? What kind of spaces do you wish Bangkok had? What does equality mean to you? How do you do your part to help with climate change? What’s the last thing that made you laugh out loud? And What would you wanna say to your future self? These questions invited participants to reflect on the “cracks” within society, exchange ideas, and share perspectives on today’s urban realities—collectively exploring ways to move forward together. In doing so, the space evolved from a place of conversation into a shared platform for Imagining future spaces for all.

In this regard, Ms. Pawan Chirathivat joined the conversation to share her vision alongside  Dr. Wasan Pattara-atikom, developer of the Traffy Fondue platform, under the session “Conversations for Better Bangkok,” as well as with Kyo Mongkornyok, under “Conversations for the Empowerment.” The discussions explored a range of perspectives, including identifying the “cracks” within Bangkok, how these fractures can be bridged, and how collective efforts can contribute to building Better Futures. The conversations also examined the “cracks” surrounding women’s leadership, while highlighting emerging opportunities and future possibilities for women in society.

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Ms. Pawan Chirathivat, Manager, Hotel Business Development, Central Pattana Plc., and a representative of the Next Generation Executive, shared her perspective on the creation of Conversations for the Future: “On behalf of Central Pattana, we hope this ‘space’ will inspire people to build upon what they already have and turn it into further growth. For me, the ‘cracks’ in Bangkok are not about gender or equality in the conventional sense, but rather about the gap in equal access to opportunities. The key question is how we can help people feel that they have potential and the ability to drive their own growth. From my experience in hotel development at Central Pattana—where leadership positions such as CEO and CFO are held by women—it is clear that the organization places strong emphasis on building an Equality System that offers equal opportunities to everyone. Gender is not seen as a barrier; instead, it is individual capability that truly matters. This approach helps bridge gaps in access to opportunity.

Looking ahead to Better Futures, while each person may have different life contexts, everyone ultimately seeks a better quality of life. I believe we can create Better Futures through three key factors: 1. cultivating a Growth Mindset and continuously learning to further develop our businesses, 2. building strong relationships across both the public and private sectors, and 3. creating spaces for conversation like the one we are having today—spaces that foster understanding and allow us to move forward and shape the future together.”

Dr. Wasan Pattara-atikom, developer of the Traffy Fondue platform and Principal Researcher of National Electronics and Computer Technology Center (NECTEC), opened Conversations for Better Bangkok by sharing the view that Bangkok, like any major city, has both its strengths and its challenges—from clean areas to those affected by pollution. He noted that a key “crack” in the city lies in the gap between real problems on the ground and access to timely, effective solutions. In an era where data and collaboration are increasingly valuable, enabling everyone to take part in reporting issues and caring for shared spaces—whether in residential areas, condominiums, or public spaces—is a crucial way to bridge this gap. While people generally want to see their surroundings improve, in the past they often did not know where problems were or whom to report them to. This led to the development of Traffy Fondue, a platform designed to make issue reporting simple and accessible for the public.

Today, the platform has handled over 1.6 million reports within three years, covering 30 provinces and reaching approximately 56% of the country’s population. Its users extend beyond government agencies to include hospitals, retail businesses, and private-sector operators, all working together to improve urban spaces. This collective approach, he explained, ultimately connects to building Better Futures—where people are empowered to plan and shape the lives they want, whether through peaceful living, accessible spaces for the elderly, or better support for families. When cities can respond to these diverse needs, people feel a sense of participation and ownership, enabling them to live with greater quality of life in ways that truly reflect their choices.

Concluding the session, Ms. Kanyarat Kriangkrairat, also known as Kyo Mongkornyok, the third-generation heir of The Mongkornyok Sampran (The Lion and Dragon dance troupes), shared her perspective under the theme “Conversations for the Empowerment.” She reflected that the key “crack” women continue to face in leadership—especially in male-dominated fields—is being questioned and not fully accepted at the outset. From her personal experience, stepping into leadership within a traditional lion dance troupe was far from easy, challenged by long-held beliefs and skepticism from senior figures. However, she noted that today society has become more open-hearted and inclusive, making it feel significantly easier than before. This shift reflects how cracks can be bridged through openness and evolving mindsets. She emphasized that the “system” supporting women leaders does not need to be a large organization; it can begin with a family support system that offers encouragement and belief—particularly from her mother and siblings—affirming that she can succeed and move forward. This support has been crucial in building confidence to overcome challenges. Looking ahead, Ms. Kyo envisioned Better Futures for women in Thai society as rooted in self-belief and strong support systems. She closed by encouraging women to be true to themselves, confidently express their potential, and set clear goals—because opportunities today are more open than ever, enabling women to grow, break past traditional limitations, and collectively help drive society toward a better future.

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