13.3.5 Environmental education collaborate with NGO

In 2025, Srinakharinwirot University (SWU) collaborated with non-governmental organisations (NGOs) on climate adaptation. On 15 February 2025, SWU joined the project "Climate Justice in the Cultural Dimension of Urban Communities", led by the Siam Society under Royal Patronage, an NGO, together with Thai Climate Justice for All (TCJA), Thai PBS and Hear and Found, with the Local Development Institute also taking part. The partners walked through urban communities in the Asok area of Bangkok to learn how climate change affects them and how they adapt. SWU also works with the Siam Society through the university-led "Sook Asok" network, which promotes a liveable, green and sustainable Asok area under the goal "Sook Environment: a green city for the future".

NGO partners: the Siam Society under Royal Patronage is a non-governmental, non-profit organisation, and Thai Climate Justice for All (TCJA) is a civil-society climate justice network. Other partners include a public broadcaster (Thai PBS), private companies, a hospital and Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) agencies.

1. Climate justice walking survey with NGO partners in the Asok area (15 February 2025)

On 15 February 2025, the project "Climate Justice in the Cultural Dimension of Urban Communities" held its first walking survey in the Asok area. The project is led by the Siam Society under Royal Patronage together with Thai PBS, SWU, Thai Climate Justice for All (TCJA) and Hear and Found, and the Local Development Institute also joined the walk. The partners collected information on urban communities, climate impacts and climate adaptation, to support how these communities cope with climate change. The walk followed two routes: Soi Nana, the Makkasan railway housing, the Nana and Asok piers; and Sukhumvit Soi 21 (Asok Montri) to Soi SWU (Sukhumvit 23).

The project aims to build the knowledge of people in the community on coping with climate change and to extend this learning to young people, especially SWU students, so that they understand the urban environment, its links with everyday life and local culture, and the impacts of climate change on urban communities.

Figure 1. NGO partners, SWU and participants on the climate justice walking survey in the Asok area, 15 February 2025.

Source: Social Engagement Office, Srinakharinwirot University

Figure 2. Participants learning about climate impacts and adaptation at a canal-side community, 15 February 2025.

Source: Social Engagement Office, Srinakharinwirot University

Figure 3. Discussion with community members about climate impacts on urban life, 15 February 2025.

Source: Social Engagement Office, Srinakharinwirot University

Figure 4. Project partners and participants during the walking survey, 15 February 2025.

Source: Social Engagement Office, Srinakharinwirot University

2. The Sook Asok network: SWU working with an NGO, government and the private sector

The Sook Asok network, formerly called the Asok Livable Network, was established in mid-2022 by SWU together with organisations on Asok Montri Road. Its members are SWU, Kiatnakin Phatra Financial Group, Sino-Thai Engineering and Construction, Rutnin Eye Hospital, Heritage Estates, Indorama Ventures, GMM Grammy, FICO Corporation and the Siam Society under Royal Patronage. The network works with the Watthana District Office and the BMA Office of Public Works, and plans projects, activities and shared resources together.

The network develops the Asok area along four dimensions of well-being ("Sook"):

• Sook Withi – a good way of life;

• Sook Sanchon – safe and connected mobility;

• Sook Kitchakam – community participation and activities;

• Sook Singwaedlom – a good environment, "a green city for the future".

Figure 5. Logo of the Sook Asok network.

Source: https://sso.op.swu.ac.th/SookAsok

Figure 6. The Sook Asok network page on the website of the Social Engagement Office, SWU, showing the signing of the memorandum of understanding by the network partners.

Source: https://sso.op.swu.ac.th/SookAsok

3. Network meeting on 24 September 2025 (Meeting No. 4/2025)

On 24 September 2025, SWU hosted the fourth Sook Asok network meeting of 2025 in the "70 Years Srisa-nga Mahanakorn" room, 18th floor, Innovation Building. The meeting was chaired by the President of SWU, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Cholvit Jearajit, and joined by the BMA Office of Public Works, the Metropolitan Electricity Authority, the Metropolitan Waterworks Authority, the Watthana District Office, local police stations, residential buildings on Asok Montri Road and project contractors. The meeting followed up the manhole-cover design competition, selected a network representative for the judging panel, and discussed road, footpath and water-pipe works on Asok Montri Road.

Figure 7. News on the Sook Asok network meeting No. 4/2025, chaired by the President of SWU, 24 September 2025.

Source: https://sso.op.swu.ac.th/event-news/การประชุมภาคีเครือข่ายสุขอโศก-ครั้งที่-42568

4. Competition results announced on 2 December 2025

On 2 December 2025, SWU announced the results of the competition to design manhole covers that reflect the identity of the Asok area. Entries were judged in two groups, the general public and school and university students, under the four "Sook" concepts. In the "Sook Environment" category, the award went to Mr Panuwat Sangiam in the general public group and to the "Heng Heng" team in the student group.

Figure 8. Announcement of the results of the Asok manhole-cover design competition, including the "Sook Environment" category, 2 December 2025.

Source: https://sso.op.swu.ac.th/event-news/ประกาศผลการตัดสินการประกวดออกแบบฝาท่อสะท้อนอัตลักษณ์ย่านอโศก

5. Network meeting with NGO, government and private partners on 8 December 2025

On 8 December 2025, SWU hosted a Sook Asok network meeting in the University Council meeting room, 22nd floor, Innovation Building, chaired by the President of SWU. Network partners, including the Siam Society under Royal Patronage and private-sector members, attended together with representatives of the Watthana District Office and the BMA Office of Public Works. The meeting reviewed the competition results and criteria under the four "Sook" concepts, including "Sook Environment: a green city for the future", and agreed that SWU will host the award ceremony on 24 February 2026. Selected designs will be produced as manhole covers in the Asok area, so the green-city message appears in public space used by people every day. Through the network, SWU acts as a knowledge hub that brings partners together to make Asok "a liveable place".

Figure 9. The President of SWU chairing the Sook Asok network meeting with NGO, government and private-sector partners, 8 December 2025.

Source: https://sso.op.swu.ac.th/event-news/มหาวิทยาลัยศรีนครินทรวิโรฒ-มศว-ร่วมกับภาคีเครือข่าย-สุขอโศก-sook-asok

Figure 10. Sook Asok network meeting at the University Council meeting room, SWU, 8 December 2025.

Source: https://sso.op.swu.ac.th/event-news/มหาวิทยาลัยศรีนครินทรวิโรฒ-มศว-ร่วมกับภาคีเครือข่าย-สุขอโศก-sook-asok

Summary

In 2025, SWU collaborated with NGOs on climate adaptation. With the Siam Society under Royal Patronage and Thai Climate Justice for All, SWU took part in a climate justice walking survey on 15 February 2025 to learn how urban communities in the Asok area are affected by and adapt to climate change. Through the Sook Asok network, SWU also worked with the Siam Society, private-sector partners and BMA agencies in 2025 to promote "Sook Environment: a green city for the future" in the Asok area.