"Thailand Friendly Design Expo 2022": The 5th Edition of the Civil Architecture and Health Innovation Fair for All People

          On 12 February 2022 at 13.00 pm,  Mr. Phiphat Ratchakitprakarn, Minister of Tourism and Sports, presided over the opening ceremony of the Thailand Friendly Design Expo 2022, the 5th edition of the civil architecture and health innovation fair for all people and presented the Friendly Design Awards 2022 in the category of Hotels and Tourist Destination for All. At the expo, a launching ceremony was also organized for 20 pilot provinces in the Tourism for All campaign which will drive tourism for all people with the kick off flag ceremony under the slogan of Travel in Thailand, the City of Civil Architecture, the Tourism City for All at the Main Stage, Hall 101, BITEC Bangna. 

          Minister Phiphat said, I feel deeply honored and pleased to preside over the Thailand Friendly Design Expo 2022, the 5th edition of the civil architecture and health innovation fair for all people in the New Normal way. The objective of the fair is to showcase the latest innovation, architecture, and friendly design for all, as well as health-related products and services, and tourism for all. These designs cater to seniors, promote equality for the disabled and contribute to the development of the quality of life and happiness for people of all ages and body conditions, especially seniors, recovering patients, the disabled, and those in wheelchairs so that they may access buildings, tourist destinations, public transportation systems, and public services conveniently, safely, and equally, similar to those in all civilized countries around the world.

          Thailand has fully become a senior society with more than 12.5 million seniors, or approximately 20% of the general population. Moreover, there are over 2 million disabled citizens in the country, or about 3% of the Thai population. Civil architecture or friendly design focuses on designing and facilitating seniors, the disabled, and those with special needs such as recovering patients, those in wheelchairs, pregnant women, and families with small children that use strollers as these groups all depend on civil architecture that ensures convenience and safety for their daily lives.

This concept is aligned with the governments policy in promoting equality, offering fair opportunities, and eliminating inequality in society as well as the United Nations universal value of sustainable development which leaves no one behind. 

          I sincerely hope that this event will strongly encourage and promote all stakeholders in society, from the public sector, the private sector, to civil society, to realize the value and importance of civil architecture and tourism for all that can develop the quality of life for all people while driving the development of the economy, society, and nation with sustainability, stability, and strength. The Thailand Friendly Design Expo 2022 is the 5th edition of the civil architecture and health innovation fair for all people under the concept of convenience, safety, confidence, and accessibility, for better quality of life and happiness of all people.