Bangkok: The Office of Knowledge Management and Development (OKMD) launched the Modern Thai Wisdom: From Knowledge to Market project, under the concept of leveraging Thai knowledge and wisdom into the new creative economy. The project aims to develop the potential of young people, entrepreneurs, designers, and creative communities to connect Thai cultural capital with competitive economic opportunities in today's world. The opening ceremony was presided over by Dr. Parametee Vimolsiri, Chairman of the Executive Committee of OKMD, along with Dr. Tawarut Sutabutr, Director of OKMD, executives from partner organizations, and experts in fashion, creative industries, and digital business.
According to Thai News Agency, Dr. Parametee Wimonsiri, Chairperson of the Executive Committee of the Office of Knowledge Management and Development, stated that the world is shifting from competition based on cost to competition based on creativity, identity, and the ability to create new value. Thailand may not have the largest industrial base, but it possesses strong cultural capital, including traditional knowledge, craftsmanship, art, lifestyles, and the creativity of its people, which can be leveraged to create immense economic value if developed systematically. Therefore, the crucial challenge for Thailand today is not merely to preserve traditional Thai wisdom from the past, but to transform it into an economic force of the future.
Dr. Tawarut Sutabutr, Director of OKMD, stated that Modern Thai Wisdom is designed to be more than just a training course; it's a learning ecosystem and a platform for creative economy development that connects Thai knowledge with design, technology, marketing, and business opportunities. This helps participants develop their work, test the market, and ultimately contribute to the new era of creative economy. "When knowledge connects with the market, it becomes a new opportunity for Thailand's creative economy," he said. The project will run throughout the 2026 fiscal year, encompassing over 30 workshops nationwide in three main areas: clothing and apparel, jewelry, and handicrafts. The learning is designed in three levels: Design and Inspiration, Marketing and Branding, and Business and Commercial, enabling participants to develop their skills from creative concepts to commercialization.
The event also featured a panel discussion with experts in the fashion and craft industries, including Pichitra Bunyarattaphan, designer and owner of Atelier Pichita; Dr. Korakot Aromdee, founder of Korakot International Limited Partnership; and Intira Tapawong, founder of the INTIRA brand. They shared their perspectives on expanding Thai craftsmanship into the global market. Additionally, Thachapan Pititranan, content creator and owner of the Here's Jae channel, shared insights on creating content inspired by and reflecting the creator's identity, telling stories through digital media to make contemporary Thai works more memorable, reach a wider audience, and create new opportunities in the creative industries. A mini fashion showcase under the concept of 'Modern Thai Wisdom' showcased the fusion of wisdom, identity, and craftsmanship from various regions of Thailand through a contemporary fashion lens. This reflected the potential of Thai cultural capital to be developed into creative products and experienc es that appeal to modern consumers and compete internationally.
Dr. Tawarath further stated, 'OKMD believes that human development is a crucial foundation for the long-term creative economy. Creating opportunities for Thais to access knowledge, networks, and markets will help ensure that Thai cultural capital is not only preserved but also generates income, creates jobs, and fosters new value creation for the Thai economy sustainably. We don't just need creators, but we need to cultivate a new generation of creative entrepreneurs who can leverage Thai cultural capital to create new value, new opportunities, and a new future for the Thai economy.'
Those interested can find more details about the Modern Thai Wisdom project, including application schedules and information on various activities and courses, on the Facebook Pages: OKMD and Modern Thai Wisdom.