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.

Group photo of APCD staff and Ms. Hiroko Itako, JOCV on DiDRR, after her final presentation.

Ms. Itako led a reflection session where she presented her background, her work and contributions at APCD, and her future plans.

The atmosphere during the session was filled with warmth and gratitude as both Ms. Hiroko and APCD staff exchanged kind and encouraging farewell messages.

As the session came to an end, Mr. Piroon Laismit, APCD Executive Director, delivered a farewell speech, appreciations and presented a gift to Ms. Itako.

On 14 August 2025, APCD organized a reflection and farewell session for Ms. Hiroko Itako, a JOCV volunteer on DiDRR, who has been assigned to APCD since September 2023. During her two years of work with APCD and APCD’s partners in Asia-Pacific countries, Ms. Itako gave a final presentation, reflecting on her background, her work and contributions to APCD, and her future plans. The session honored her significant work, particularly in DiDRR knowledge co-dissemination to APCD staff and through APCD networking activities. DiDRR is one of the new approaches that APCD is committed to implementing at the community, national, and regional levels.

The session also included a farewell gift presentation to Ms. Itako, followed by kind and encouraging farewell messages from APCD colleagues. She also expressed her gratitude toward APCD colleagues, as well as shared memorable stories from her time at APCD. Mr. Piroon Laismit, APCD Executive Director, delivered a farewell speech for Ms. Itako. Filled with memorable moments, the session reflected the strong bond she had built during her time with APCD and concluded with a group picture to capture the meaningful moment.

Dr. Prapot Petrakard, president of the Foundadtion for Children with Disabilities delivered the opening address and special lecture at the Dousa-Hou Academic Seminar.

Mr. Koichi Tani from the Osaka Dousa-Hou Society gave a key note presentation on the principles and history of Dousa-Hou

Panelists from Thailand and Japan shared their experiences and insights on implementing Dousa-Hou in the community.

Mr. Somchai Rungsilp from APCD delivered the closing summary at the Dousa-Hou Academic Seminar.

Key participants and organizers from Thailand and Japan gathered for a commemorative group photo after the seminar.

On 8 August 2025, the Foundation for Children with Disabilities (FCD) hosted      Dousa-Hou Academic Seminar in Bangkok, marking 29 years since Dousa-hou, the Japanese method of movement, was introduced to Thailand. The event, co-organized between the Osaka Dousa-Hou Society and the FCD.  There were around 50 participants  in-persons and about 1,000 participants via online at Facebook Live.
 

The program featured opening remarks by Dr. Prapote Petrakard, Chairperson of the FCD., a keynote speech by Mr. Koichi Tani of the Osaka Dousa-Hou Society, and a panel sharing experiences from practitioners and parents. Representing the Asia-Pacific Development Center on Disability (APCD), Mr. Somchai Rungsilp delivered the closing remarks, highlighting the importance of continued cooperation to promote family-based rehabilitation and disability inclusive development for children with disabilities.

Dousa-Hou is an intregrated body-mind therapy which was created by Dr. Naruse Gosaku. Then Dr. Prapote Petrakard of FCD. initiated to introduce this approach in Thailand from 1996 by cooperation with Osaka Dousa-Hou Society conducting training staff and parents of children with cerebral palsy in Thailand. Now Dousa-Hou becomes famous and one of powerful rehabilitation process among teachers and parents of children with disabilities in Thailand.

The seminar reaffirmed nearly three decades of progress and the enduring friendship between Thailand and Japan in advancing disability rehabilitation services.

Dr. Prapot Petrakard, president of the Foundadtion for Children with Disabilities delivered the opening address and special lecture at the Dousa-Hou Academic Seminar.

Mr. Koichi Tani from the Osaka Dousa-Hou Society gave a key note presentation on the principles and history of Dousa-Hou

Panelists from Thailand and Japan shared their experiences and insights on implementing Dousa-Hou in the community.

Mr. Somchai Rungsilp from APCD delivered the closing summary at the Dousa-Hou Academic Seminar.

Key participants and organizers from Thailand and Japan gathered for a commemorative group photo after the seminar.

On 8 August 2025, the Foundation for Children with Disabilities (FCD) hosted      Dousa-Hou Academic Seminar in Bangkok, marking 29 years since Dousa-hou, the Japanese method of movement, was introduced to Thailand. The event, co-organized between the Osaka Dousa-Hou Society and the FCD.  There were around 50 participants  in-persons and about 1,000 participants via online at Facebook Live.
 

The program featured opening remarks by Dr. Prapote Petrakard, Chairperson of the FCD., a keynote speech by Mr. Koichi Tani of the Osaka Dousa-Hou Society, and a panel sharing experiences from practitioners and parents. Representing the Asia-Pacific Development Center on Disability (APCD), Mr. Somchai Rungsilp delivered the closing remarks, highlighting the importance of continued cooperation to promote family-based rehabilitation and disability inclusive development for children with disabilities.

Dousa-Hou is an intregrated body-mind therapy which was created by Dr. Naruse Gosaku. Then Dr. Prapote Petrakard of FCD. initiated to introduce this approach in Thailand from 1996 by cooperation with Osaka Dousa-Hou Society conducting training staff and parents of children with cerebral palsy in Thailand. Now Dousa-Hou becomes famous and one of powerful rehabilitation process among teachers and parents of children with disabilities in Thailand.

The seminar reaffirmed nearly three decades of progress and the enduring friendship between Thailand and Japan in advancing disability rehabilitation services.

Ms. Thorfan Dechachainimit, Project Coordinator, ESCAP-DIEB, APCD engaged in ice-breaking activity with other participants to foster interaction and teamwork among participants.

Ms. Thorfan during the group discussion, sharing her ideas on violence against women and children, including children with disabilities, actively engaging in the brainstrom of the causes of violence and potential solutions.

A river mind map developed by the group, mapping the flow of violence-related issues affecting girls, boys, women, and children with disabilities, their root causes, available resources. The discussion also identified how much the youth have trusted in current protection systems, and considered of ways to improve.

Group photos of the participants in the Youth Consultation organized by UNICEF, with over 50 youths joining the session.

The UNICEF Thailand is working on the next five-year Country Programme, which is a roadmap that guides how UNICEF can effectively support children and young people across the country from 2027 to 2031. Ms. Thorfan Dechachainimit, APCD Disability-Inclusive Employment and Business (DIEB) Project Coordinator, attended the UNICEF Youth Consultation. The event aimed to gain young people’s perspective and inputs to ensure the next five-year plan reflects real challenges and the needs of young people.

The session was divided into thematic groups, with Ms. Thorfan joining discussions on violence against girls, boys, and women. The activity encouraged participants to identify the root causes of violence, map out available resources to address these issues, assess how much the younger generation trusts the existing protection mechanisms, and the ways for improvement. The session encouraged an open and engaging environment through collaborative dialogue and creative tools such as river mapping, allowing the exchange of perspectives and practical solutions.

There were more than 50 participants attended the event. APCD collaborates with UNICEF on promoting future plan to develop better life of children and youth in Thailand.

Welcome Remarks by H.E. Dr. Ratchada Jayagupta, Thailand’s Representative to the ACWC for Women’s Rights.

H.E. Mrs. Jatuporn Rojanapanich, Deputy Permanent Secretary of Ministry of Social Development and Human Security delivered Opening Remarks.

Ms. Supaanong Panyasirimongkol, self-advocate with Autism, Officer, Networking & Collaboration, Community Development Department of APCD joined the group workshop.

Group Photo of Organizers and Participants of the Consultation Meeting. There were more than 40 participants joined this seminar.

Ms. NuNu Supaanong, an APCD Networking & Collaboration Officer and a self-advocate with autism, participated in the National Consultation Meeting on the ASEAN Guidance Note on Disability Inclusion in Violence Against Women and Girls (VAWG) Policies and Programs. The event was organized by the Ministry of Social Development and Human Security (MSDHS) in collaboration with the ASEAN Commission on the Promotion and Protection of the Rights of Women and Children and the United Nations Population Fund and took place on 7 August 2025 at Rajadamnoen Room, Royal Princess Larn Luang, Bangkok, Thailand.

Ms. NuNu shared the good practices of APCD on promoting a gender equality perspective in programme implementation for individuals with diverse disabilities through the APCD-DPI Korea Partnership Project. She also highlighted the barriers and hardships faced by individuals with disabilities, especially individuals with developmental disabilities, and the need for more inclusive and accessible programs.

The Japanese delegation and APCD staff posed for group photo following the welcome remarks.

Mr. Piroon Laismit, Executive Director of APCD, delivered his welcome remarks to the Japanese delegation and highlighted APCD’s friendship with Mr. Yutaka Takamine, President of Empowerment Okinawa, who led the delegation.

Mr. Yutaka Takamine explained the purpose of the visit to APCD.

Delegates visited the “APCD 60+ Bakery & Chocolate Café and APCD 60+ Kitchen by CP project to observe disability-inclusive business initiatives in action and the study tour was led by Ms. Hiroko Itako, JOCV at APCD.

On 7 August 2025, the Asia-Pacific Development Center on Disability (APCD) warmly welcomed a 13-member delegation from the Japanese Association of Social Workers, led by Mr. Yutaka Takamine, President of Empowerment Okinawa. Mr. Takamine has been closely connected with APCD since its founding, having worked with the United Nations ESCAP at the time.

The visit began with welcome remarks from Mr. Piroon Laismit, APCD Executive Director, followed by an introduction to APCD’s mission and diverse approaches to supporting individuals with disabilities and communities, presented by Mr. Somchai Rungsilp, Manager of Community Development Department (CDD).

Delegates toured the “60+Plus” Program in collaboration with the Thai Yamazaki, MarkRin Chocolate and APCD 60+Plus Kitchen by C.P. operated the DIEB projects, an APCD initiative promoting disability-inclusive employment & business (DIEB), where they learned how decent job’s opportunities are created for persons with disabilities. The program provided a platform for sharing practical models and discussing inclusive economic empowerment and friendly working environments.

This visit marked a valuable step in strengthening mutual understanding and promoting future collaboration between Japan and Thailand in disability support and social work towards inclusiveness.