A commemorative plaque was presented by the Governor to the President
"in recognition to the exceptional leadership of the President and Team
(faculty, students, staff, alumni, partners) of the Asian Institute of
Technology, Bangkok in the face of the 2011 floods which devastated the
campus and for the exemplary manner in which the Institute continued
its operations in the face of this great adversity.” A press release
issued by the event organizer, ASEAN Affairs, stated that AIT continued
its operations in spite of the flood and it conducted its operations
from various facilities in and outside Bangkok.
Delivering the keynote address, Mom Rajawong Sukhumbhand Paribatra,
Governor of Bangkok, remarked that Bangkok is witnessing unplanned
infrastructure development, along with an increase in population – both
of which are creating a huge issue of sustainable development. The
Great Flood of 2011 is an example of difficulty the city faced in
organizing operations in the event of a natural disaster. “Bangkok
keeps sinking 1 cm every year, and if the sea level goes up 1.3 cm per
year, then in 50 years, we will not be able to live in the city any
longer, “the Governor added.
The Governor appreciated Mr. Swarup Roy, Founder and Chairman of ASEAN
Affairs for organizing the Save Our Planet conference series. Others
who participated in the conference included Mrs. Vasana Mututanont,
Executive Director, International Affairs Bureau of the Thailand Board
of Investment (BOI), who was the event co-host; Dr. Art-ong Jumsai na
Ayudhya, an eminent scientist; Mr. Arkhom Termpittayapaisith, Secretary
General, National Economic and Social Development Board (NESDB);
General Lertrat Ratanavanich, Director of PTTEP and former Senator and
Chairman of the Thailand’s senate committee on energy; Mr. Nopadej
Karnasuta, First Senior Vice President, KASIKORNBANK; Dr. Kriengsak
Charoenwongsak, President, Institute of Future Studies For Development;
Dr. Seree Supratid, Managing Director of the Sirindhorn International
Environmental Park Foundation; Mr. Pannakorn Khodthong, Managing
Director speaking on behalf of Count Markus Matuschka de Greiffenclau
President, Thai Gorilla Pulp Company; Mr. Tan Passakornnatee, former
CEO of Oishi Group and owner of Mai Tan Company.
