Group Photos of Speakers and more than 20 Participants from many stakeholders.

MovED introduced Boardgame for the Workshop MovED Tools for Change

Participants play board games, to learn and enjoy. After activities they provide feedback for improvement.

On Monday to Tuesday, 15 to 16 September 2025, Mr. Chayoot Homdee Community Development Officer, Asia-Pacific Development Center on Disability (APCD), invited by MovED, to do “Workshop MovED Tools for Change” at Best Western Chatuchak. Over 20 participants joined the workshop to understand the boardgame to learn more type of bias mindset through discrimination. This workshop proceeded by MovED.

The goal is to recognize the challenges in building shared understanding around these complex issues, the MovED network has developed a simple yet powerful learning tool. This tool serves as a common ground for collaborative learning, both within the network and for the general public. Its purpose is to help people better grasp and manage the negative impacts of prejudice, stigma, and discrimination in various contexts.

The core message is that MovED is actively creating resources to promote social awareness and equity, making complex social issues more accessible and understandable for a wider audience.

Designing tools (Boardgame) to address stigma and discrimination—a fundamental issue for all people—isn't just about creating educational materials. It's about crafting a learning experience that is easy to understand and accessible, sparking personal transformation and fostering learning across different communities and issues.

In conclusion overall players satisfied about tools (Boardgame) is very effective and ready to do the spreadout, but still need to do more developing, updating, and fixing issues in terms of some context can be very sensitives.

Group photo capturing organizers staff from Association of Mental Health of Northern Thailand, APCD resource persons and there were more than 300 participants with mental health disabilities and their supporter joined the demonstration on DIS.

Mrs. Nuchgalee Klaysuwan, President of Association of Mentally Iil of Thailand, greets and delivered the welcome remark at the opening program.

Mr. Watcharapol Chuengcharoen (Chief of Networking & Collaboration), Ms. Siriporn Praserdchat (Logistics Officer), and Ms. Supaanong Panyasirimongkol (Networking & Collaboration Officer) resource persons from APCD were introduced by Mrs. Nuchgalee Klaysuwan.

Persons with mental disabilities and their supporter participated a small completion of Takkyu Volley facilitated by Ms. Supaanong.

Persons with mental disabilities and their supporter participated a small completion of Samspel facilitated by Mr. Watcharapol.

Persons with mental disabilities and their supporter participated a small completion of Dodgebee facilitated by Ms. Siriporn.

On 15 September 2025, the Association of Mental Health of Northern Thailand invited the APCD Resource Person Team on Disability-Inclusive Sports (DIS) to demonstrate and share DIS activities with persons with mental disabilities, their family members, and supporters. More than 300 participants from 17 provinces across Northern Thailand joined the event, which aimed to promote physical and mental well-being of persons with mental health disabilities, also to enhance social participation, promote self-reliance, improve the quality of life of persons with psychosocial disabilities and to build cooperation among stakeholders in Northern Thailand through disability inclusive sport. The seminar organized by the Association of Mental Health of Northern Thailand in collaboration with the Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities, Ministry of Social Development and Human Security.

APCD resource person team under the Community Development Department, APCD led by Mr. Watcharapol Chuengcharoen (Chief of Networking & Collaboration), Ms. Siriporn Praserdchat (Logistics Officer), and Ms. Supaanong Panyasirimongkol (Networking & Collaboration Officer), traveled on 14 September to arrange and prepare the sports venue, then they facilitated the demonstrations of Takkyu Volley, Samspel, and Dodgebee, three inclusive sports on 15 September 2025. These sports were introduced by Japanese experts through the DIS project at APCD.

Through this collaboration, APCD and the Association of Mental Health of Northern Thailand promote physical and mental well-being of persons with mental health disabilities, ensure access to equal opportunities, and contribute to a more inclusive society.

Participants of the Disability Equality Training (DET), gathered for a group photo after the session.

Dr. Rika Yorozu, Education Programme Specialist, UNESCO Regional Office in Bangkok, delivered the opening speech.

Participants engaged actively in the session

On 11 September 2025, the Asia-Pacific Development Center on Disability (APCD), in partnership with the UNESCO, organized half-day Disability Equality Training (DET) at UNESCO Office. Participants included twelve diverse UNESCO Staff.

The training focused on the social model of disability, which highlights how societal, environmental, and policy barriers—not impairments themselves—restrict opportunities for persons with disabilities, especially in employment. The goal was to help participants rethink disability and recognize the importance of inclusive environments. This training was part of the collaboration to promotes equal employment, accessibility, and anti-discrimination in the workplace.

Participants showed strong interest and active engagement throughout the session, with many expressing a deeper understanding of disability through the lens of the social model and recognizing the need for collective action to advance inclusion.

APCD participated as a resource person of the seminar on “Capacity Development and Preparedness of Persons with Disabilities and Entrepreneurs for Disability Inclusive Employment.”

Mr. Supon Borisoot, Advisor to the Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities (DEP) explained about the benefit and resources for employers who employ persons with disabilities.

Group photo of Asst. Prof. Dr. Napisa Waitoolkiat, Dean; Dr. Atit Pongpanit, Deputy Dean for Research and International Affairs; Faculty of Social Sciences, Naresuan University, resource persons and participants of the Seminar.

Participants asked and shared his opinions.

Workshop on how to assist wheelchair user.

APCD participated as a resource person of the seminar on “Capacity Development and Preparedness of Persons with Disabilities and Entrepreneurs for Disability Inclusive Employment” on 4 September 2025, at Naresuan University, Phitsanulok Province.

Mr. Supon Borisoot, Advisory to Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities (DEP) along with Mr. Somchai Rungsilp, APCD Community Development Manager were invited to share the knowledge and experiences regarding promoting the disability inclusive employment.

The Seminar was organized by Faculty of Social Sciences, Naresuan University.   16 (Sixteen) Participants from private sector in Phitsanulok Province attended this significant seminar. Mr. Somchai shared his experiences about how to work with and maximize persons with disabilities. Mr. Supon clarified many key legal points regarding disability inclusive employment, advantage of employment of persons with disabilities, benefit of employers according to the Persons with Disabilities Empowerment Act of Thailand. The seminar was successfully organized which the cooperation among participants and university has been strengthened.       

A group photo featuring students, professors from Universities in Japan, Mr. Toshiyuki Okui from Nogezaka Glocal and APCD staff.

Mr. Piroon Laismit, Executive Director of APCD, received a group of visitors.

38 students included professors actively joined the lecture session during the visitation program facilitated by Mr. Watcharapol Chuencharoen, Chief, Networking and Collaboration, APCD.

The students explored the friendly working environment, APCD Facilities, including disability inclusive employment & business activities.

On 2 September 2025, the Asia-Pacific Development Center on Disability (APCD) hosted a visit from students and professors of Toyo University and other Universities facilitated by Mr. Toshiyuki Okui, Representative from NOGEZAKA-GLOCAL at APCD Training Building. The program took place from 15:00 to 16:30, featuring interactive sessions and discussions on disability-inclusive development.

The program began with a warm welcome remark by Mr. Piroon Laismit, Executive Director of APCD, extended his greetings to the visitors. There were 35 students, 3 professors and 1 Representative from NOGEZAKA-GLOCAL actively joined the visitation program.

Following the welcome session, Mr. Watcharapol Chuengcharoen, Chief of Networking & Collaboration, gave a lecture providing an overview of APCD’s mission, objectives, and key activities. His presentation emphasized APCD’s role in promoting disability-inclusive development across the Asia-Pacific region. A Q&A session allowed students to engage directly with APCD’s work and impact.

The final session featured a tour of APCD’s the friendly working environment, APCD Facilities, including disability inclusive employment & business activities project, guided by Ms. Supaanong Panyasirimongkol, Officer, Networking & Collaboration and Ms. Thorfan Dechachainimit, Project Coordinator, Disability Inclusive Employment and Business. The students gained firsthand insights into APCD’s disability-inclusive employment and business activities. They also had the chance to interact with project staff with disabilities, fostering meaningful dialogue and knowledge exchange.

The Director General of Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities delivered the opening speech as the chair of the meeting. 

There were 40 attendees who were from government, civil society organizations and organizations of persons with disabilities (OPDs).

Representative of APCD participated this significant meeting and provided additional informative inputs.

APCD representative attended the meeting of Sub-Committee on Promoting the Implementation of Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD) on 28 August 2025 at the Ministry of Social Development and Human Security (MSDHS).

The event was the first meeting in this year. There were 40 attendees

who were from government, civil society organizations and organizations of persons with disabilities (OPDs).

Key agenda was about programs and activities regarding disability inclusive development which have implemented or are implementing in or by Thailand. One of the highlighted program was the project on Monitoring of CRPD (conducted by Department of the Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities, APCD and UNESCAP).

Within this meeting, APCD was appointed by the Sub-Committee on Promoting the Implementation of CRPD, under the MSDHS to be members of 2 Working Groups which are 1) Working Group on Developing the Report on Implementing of CRPD in Thailand and 2) Working Group on monitoring the Implementation of Disability and Development in ASEAN.

APCD commits to promote the movement of disability inclusive development in Thailand, ASEAN and Asia and the Pacific.

The APCD booths at the 10^th TICA Connect, facilitated by Mr. Watcharapol Chuengcharoen, Chief, Networking & Collaboration, Ms. Supaanong Panyasirimongkol, Networking & Collaboration Officer and Ms. Thorfan Dechachainimit, Project Coordinator ESCAP-DIEB.

Mr. Chulvat Narinthrangura, Director-General of TICA, visited the APCD booth.

Mr. Somchai Rungsilp, Manager of Community Development Department, APCD, joined the panel discussion “Inclusive Development: Reaching the Margins” to highlight challenges and opportunities in empowering persons with disabilities, this was one of the key activities of the 10^th TICA Connect.

Mr. Somchai received a token of appreciation as a panelist from Mr. Chulvat Narinthrangura, Director-General of TICA.

The APCD booth was attracted participants by DIS equipment’s. And Counterpart Student from TICA-SWU Thai Language Project learn Samspel, APCD DIS Equipment’s

The Asia-Pacific Development Center on Disability (APCD) joined the 10th TICA Connect Event, organized by the Thailand International Cooperation Agency (TICA) with support from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA), on 28 August 2025 at Siam Paragon, Bangkok.

This year’s theme, “Empowering People, Innovating for Change,” brought together government agencies, partners, and international students to share ideas on how to create a more inclusive future.

APCD showcased its work through an empowering & inclusive exhibition, featuring Community based Inclusive Development (CBID), Disability-Inclusive Sports (DIS), Disability Inclusive Employment & Business (DIEB) and Disability-Inclusive Disaster Risk Reduction (DiDRR) practices. The booth attracted strong interest, especially from Vietnamese students of the TICA–SWU Thai Language Project, who actively joined team-building activities.

In addition, Mr. Somchai Rungsilp, Manager of APCD’s Community Development Department, was invited as a panelist in the discussion on “Inclusive Development: Reaching the Margins.” He highlighted both the challenges and opportunities in empowering people with disabilities across the region at community level, national and international levels. The event reinforced APCD’s long-vertical collaboration with TICA and partners, as well as showcased vision ways to promote empowerment of people with disabilities and inclusive development for all.

Group photos of the visitation of the Selangor Disabled Council Delegation, Malaysia with APCD staff.

Mr. Piroon Laismit, Executive Director of APCD welcomed the delegation and led the discussion on the potential future collaboration. Following with the presentation of APCD's Activities included mission and working approaches by Mr. Somchai Rungsilp, Manager, Community Development Department, along with an engaging Q&A Session.

Mr. Y.B Tuan Danial AL Rachid Bin Haron Aminar Rashid, Head of Delegation, shared the purpose of visitation and the background of Selangor Disabled Council.

The delegation visited the APCD 60+Plus Bakery & Chocolate Café project, where they observed inclusive business in practice, facilitated by Ms. Supaanong Panyasirimongkol, APCD staff. They attentively listened to staff with visual impairment shares her experience working in the bakery, gaining a deeper understanding of how APCD empowers persons with disabilities through meaningful employment opportunities.

The delegates supported the products of APCD 60+Plus Bakery & Chocolate Café and took a group photo at the shop.

On 27 August 2025, the Asia-Pacific Development Center on Disability (APCD) welcomed a delegation from the Selangor Disabled Council, Malaysia, for a knowledge exchange visit focused on disability-inclusive development in Bangkok. Led by Y.B. Tuan Danial Al-Rashid Bin Haron Aminar Rashid, Selangor State Assemblyman and Chairman of Selangor’s Disabled Council, the group included representatives from government, social welfare, and disability support sectors. The visit provided an opportunity for the delegation to learn about APCD’s mission and practical approaches to disability-inclusive development, with the goal of applying insights to strengthen empowerment of persons with disabilities in their country and beyond.

The visitation began with a comprehensive presentation from Mr. Piroon Laismit, Executive Director of APCD, and Mr. Somchai Rungsilp, Manager, Community Development Department, regarding APCD’s mission and approaches in working with persons with disabilities, and highlighting programs and national and regional impact. Followed by the Q&A session, the session encouraged active participation and thorough understanding between APCD staff and the visiting delegates. The session concluded with the gifts of appreciation presented by Malaysian delegates to Mr. Piroon Laismit, marking the successful cultural exchange and shared commitment to promote inclusion.

The tour of the APCD 60+Plus Bakery & Café was another highlight of the visit, promoting visible good practice in promoting disability inclusive business. The tour offered insights into the approach and sustainable impacts of inclusive employment.

Group photo of more than 20 advisory board members from diverse organizations, including representatives of government, private, civil society organizations as well as

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Arunee Limmanee, a policy expert presenting the draft policy paper to the advisory board members.

The atmosphere of the meeting as each organization shared valuable recommendations to ensure the policy paper is practical and implementable.

Mr. Panumas Sookamporn, Advisor to the Bangkok Governor, delivered the closing remarks for the meeting.

APCD in collaboration with the DEP, UNESCAP organized the 3^rd Advisory Board meeting for the Disability Inclusive Employment and Business (DIEB) project. The meeting aimed for a final round of gathering recommendations for the policy paper draft to ensure the practicality and effective implementation of the policy paper.

The meeting featured over 20 participants from diverse stakeholders, including DEP, UNESCAP, United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), Department of Employment (Ministry of Labour), Special Education Bureau (Ministry of Education), Social Innovation Foundation, Disabilities Thailand, Thai Chamber of Commerce, Redemptorist Foundation for People with Disabilities, Central Group, Bangkok Metropolitan Administration, and Thammasat University. The meeting represented a significant step in finalizing the practical and effective policy paper, the first result of the DIEB project.

Group Photos of Speakers and Participants from onsite and online.

Mr. Sathian Thanprom, Representative from Foundation for Action on Inclusion Rights, Mr. Apichat Karunkornskul, President of Social Innovation Foundation and Mr. Kittinun Daramadhaj, Lawyer and President of Rainbow Sky Association of Thailand (RSAT), 3 main Speakers started the meeting.

Participants from online and onsite discuss about Discrimination in Thailand

Mr. Chayoot Homdee, Officer, Community Development/staff with Autism from APCD shared his direct experience on discrimination.

On Wednesday, 20 June 2025, the Asia-Pacific Development Center on Disability (APCD), invited by with Social Innovation Foundation and MovED, setup meeting for knowledge exchange between Stakeholder’s, People’s Network, Civil Society Organizations (CSOs), and Organizations of Persons with Disabilities (DPOs) at Social Innovation Foundation (SIF) in Bangkok and Online. Over 15 participants joined the meeting to understand each other organizations, people differences, challenges, society restriction remains, solution for society culture improvement and learn what society we want. This meeting proceeded by MovED and SIF.

MovED is the platform media connect to people, and multi stakeholder’s to break social barriers and eliminate discrimination in Thailand. MovED has 4 team strategy approaches including Team 1 promote the 'Law on Combating Discrimination against Individuals' and related policy laws. Team 2 foster shared learning among communities and networks of affected individuals, so they can understand diversity, avoid discrimination, and have the ability to strongly and powerfully promote and manage anti-stigma discrimination, while also expanding the network's coalition to be comprehensive and diverse. Team 3 communicate continuously with the public to build an understanding of diversity, respect human dignity, and also monitor and counter communication that stigmatizes and discriminates against vulnerable populations. And team 4 gather knowledge, data, facts, tools, and courses on the issue of anti-stigma discrimination, to be ready for use by the public, communities, and networks of affected individuals.

In addition, each stakeholder representatives from United Nation Development Programme (UNDP), Thai Family Link Association, Transportation 4 All, Thammikachon Foundation, Living Association Thailand and Disability Culture Chiangmai Association advocated and exchanged many ideas how to reduce discriminations and seek collaboration for the next event in mid of September.