BEDO Hosts Conference to Promote Sustainable Tourism Based on Biodiversity
BEDO Hosts Hybrid Forum to Drive Sustainable Tourism Based on Biodiversity, Bringing Together Experts and Local Communities
On June 12, 2025, the Biodiversity-Based Economy Development Office (Public Organization), or BEDO, organized a hybrid knowledge-sharing forum on “Driving Sustainable Tourism through Biodiversity for Community Economic Development.” The event brought together BEDO executives, local and international experts, academics, representatives from tourism-based communities, and media at Centara Life Hotel, Government Complex and Convention Center, Chaeng Watthana, Bangkok.
The morning session featured a keynote forum titled “Driving Sustainable Tourism through Biodiversity: Opportunities for Communities in Biodiversity-Based Economy”, with opening remarks by Mr. Rachai Cholsindusongkramchai, Project Manager of the Mainstreaming Biodiversity-Based Tourism (MBT) Project, and an official opening speech by Ms. Suwanna Tiansuwan, Director of BEDO. This was followed by a keynote address by Dr. Weerasak Kowsurat, former Minister of Tourism and Sports and current Vice Chair of the Senate Committee on Natural Resources and Environment, on the topic “Beyond the Headcount: Building Low-Impact, High-Value Green Tourism Experience for Thailand.” and a summary of the MBT Project’s achievements was presented by Mr. Suwee Ngandee, Deputy Director of BEDO and MBT Project Director.
The first panel discussion, “Direction, Standards, and Promotion of Biodiversity-Based Tourism,” featured speakers from various agencies: Mr. Athuek Prasenmun (Department of Tourism), Mr. Siripakorn Cheawsamoot (Designated Areas for Sustainable Tourism Administration – DASTA), Mr. Preeda Sukjai (Deputy Governor of Prachuap Khiri Khan), Mr. Martin Venzky-Stalling (Sustainable Development Committee Chair, JFCCT; Member of GSTC and PATA) and Mr. Robert Steele (Founder/Director of Systainability Asia)
The second panel, “Awareness, Incentives, and Scaling Up Biodiversity-Based Tourism,” featured: Mr. Suthep Pimsiri (Ban Tham Suea Homestay, Phetchaburi), Ms. Wanvipa Phanumat (Local Alike), Ms. Carol Liew (Managing Director, ECCA Family Foundation), Dr. Scott Smith (Responsible Tourism Development Academy).
The afternoon forum titled “Best Practices in Promoting Community Economy through Biodiversity Tourism Tools” showcased successful community-based models, including: Sustainable Agriculture Savings Group, Ban Sricharoen (Loei), Organic Rice Enterprise, Ban Sawayso (Buriram), Biodiversity Resource Development Enterprise, Wanyaow Subdistrict (Chanthaburi), Apiculture Enterprise, Ban Khlong Kam (Krabi) and Kui Buri Wild Elephant Community Network (Prachuap Khiri Khan).
BEDO Director Ms. Suwanna Tiansuwan stated that this forum is part of the 4-year MBT Project (January 2023–December 2026), supported by the Global Environment Facility (GEF), and jointly developed and implemented with UNDP Thailand. BEDO continues to work with UNDP as a strategic partner in the project’s execution.
She emphasized that BEDO’s core mission is to promote the sustainable use of biodiversity to strengthen local economies, especially those with direct access to natural ecosystems. Biodiversity-based tourism serves as a key service-sector strategy to generate income for communities. BEDO’s initiative aims to integrate tourism—a major sector in Thailand’s economy—into grassroots economic development by focusing on biodiversity as a key selling point. The pilot sites are in Kui Buri, Sam Roi Yot, and Pran Buri districts of Prachuap Khiri Khan province.
“This innovative approach to tourism development requires insight, experience, and guidance from all relevant stakeholders to address both opportunities and limitations. It must balance ecological conservation with economic sustainability for local communities. Today’s forum provides a platform for sharing ideas, perspectives, and best practices. BEDO will utilize the outcomes to work collaboratively with provincial authorities, local governments, community networks, and tourism businesses,” Ms. Suwanna concluded.
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