Group photo of APCD Foundation Committee Board Members members after the meeting.

Dr. Tej Bunnag, President of the APCD Foundation and Chairman of the APCD Executive Board, delivers the opening remarks at the meeting.

Mr. Piroon Laismit, Executive Director of APCD, invites Ms. Wilailekha Somprach, Manager of APCD 60+ Plus Projects, to give a presentation.

Mr. Khan Prachuabmoh (left) and Mr. Sribhumi Sukhanetr (right), Members of APCD Foundation Committee Board, listen to a presentation by the Disability-Inclusive Business Department.

Ms. Sonthaya Boonyapusit, Director-General, Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities (DEP), gives feedback following the presentation by the Disability-Inclusive Business Department.

Asst. Prof. Dr. Prachuab Vanitchatchavan (left) and Prof. Dr. Nantarika Chansue (right) , Members of APCD Foundation Committee Board, give feedback following the presentation by the Disability-Inclusive Business Department.

Ms. Varabhorn Leekulnimit, Vice President, Corporate Sustainability Department, Thai Life Insurance Public Company Limited, gives feedback following the presentation by the Community Development Department.

Prof. Wiriya Namsiriphongphan, Member of APCD Foundation Committee, listens to a presentation by the the Information and Knowledge Management Department.

APCD Foundation Committee Board Members during a presentation by the Administrative Department.

APCD Foundation Committee Reviewed APCD’s Operations and Activities
On 28 October 2026, the Asia-Pacific Development Center on Disability (APCD) Foundation held a Foundation Committee Meeting at APCD to review the Center’s operations, activities, and progress. The meeting was chaired by Dr. Tej Bunnag, Secretary-General, The Thai Red Cross Society / President, APCD Foundation Committee.

The meeting brought together members of the APCD Foundation Committee, who received reports from APCD’s management team on the work and activities carried out by their respective departments. The committee members also shared recommendations to support the improvement and further development of APCD’s work.

APCD Foundation Committee Board Members
The meeting was attended by the following committee members:
1.    Dr. Tej Bunnag – Secretary-General, The Thai Red Cross Society / President, APCD Foundation Committee
2.    Mr. Sribhumi Sukhanetr – Honorary Consul of Monaco / Vice-President, APCD Foundation Committee
3.    Ms. Sonthaya Boonyapusit – Director-General, Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities (DEP), Representative of Mr. Chokchai Wichianchaiya – Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Social Development and Human Security / Member, APCD Foundation Committee
4.    Mr. Khan Prachuabmoh – Director, Fundraising Bureau, Thai Red Cross Society / Treasurer and Member, APCD Foundation Committee
5.    Prof. Wiriya Namsiriphongphan – Honorary President, Universal Foundation for Persons with Disabilities / Member, APCD Foundation Committee
6.    Prof. Dr. Nantarika Chansue – President, Earth Agenda Foundation / Member, APCD Foundation Committee
7.    Ms. Varabhorn Leekulnimit – Vice President, Corporate Sustainability Department, Representative of Mr. Chai Chaiyawan – Director and Chief Executive Officer, Thai Life Insurance Public Company Limited / Member, APCD Foundation Committee
8.    Asst. Prof. Dr. Prachuab Vanitchatchavan – Academic Lecturer, Faculty of Business Administration, King Mongkut's Institute of Technology Ladkrabang / Member, APCD Foundation Committee
9.    Mr. Piroon Laismit – Executive Director, Asia-Pacific Development Center on Disability Foundation (APCD Foundation) / Secretary and Committee Member, APCD Foundation

Reports from the APCD Foundation Management Team
During the meeting, the management team presented reports on the missions, activities, and work undertaken by their respective departments and projects. The presenters included:
1.    Mr. Somchai Rungsilp – Manager of Community Development Department
2.    Ms. Wilailekha Somprach – Manager of Disability-Inclusive Business Department
3.    Ms. Kularb Gaysornsri – Manager of Administrative Department
4.    Ms. Nongnuch Maytarjittipun – Executive Secretary to the Executive Director and Manager of Information and Knowledge Management Department

Following the presentations, the committee members provided recommendations and constructive suggestions for improving APCD’s operations and strengthening its future work. Their feedback contributed to the discussion of APCD’s ongoing activities and future development.

The meeting provided an important opportunity for the APCD Foundation Committee to review the Center’s work, exchange perspectives with the management team, and identify areas for further improvement. The discussions supported APCD’s efforts to strengthen its organizational operations and advance its mission of promoting disability-inclusive development in the Asia-Pacific region.

Group photo of the project working team with Mr. Muhummadee Walihassun, the Job Coach, and two persons with disabilities at a car care service facility in Yala Province.

The job coach explained the consent process and participants’ rights and assisting persons with disabilities in completing consent forms before any photos or videos recording.

The project team met with the president of the Nakhon Si Thammarat Association of Parents of Persons with Intellectual Disabilities.

Group photo with approximately 30 participants, including persons with disabilities, parents, and board committee members of the Nakhon Si Thammarat Association of Parents of Persons with Intellectual Disabilities.

The project working team interviewed Ms. Nowwarat Aoksonpan, the Job Coach, as part of the project’s data collection process.

DIEB Project Field Monitoring on Empowering Inclusive Employment in Southern Thailand

From 14–16 October 2026, a team from APCD comprising of Ms. Thorfan Dechachainimit and Mr. Noppol Ubdulsamad, accompanied by Mr. Warit Payaksiri, a representative from the Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities (DEP), conducted field visits to Hat Yai, Yala Province, and Nakhon Si Thammarat Province in order to monitor job coaches trained under the Disability-Inclusive Employment and Business (DIEB) Project.

The mission began in Hat Yai, where the team met with the job coach and visited persons with disabilities employed as call center operators at Advanced Info Service (AIS). The visit provided an opportunity to observe their working environment, learned about their employment experiences, and discussed the support provided by the job coach to facilitate their integration into the workplace. The team then travelled to Yala Province to meet with persons with disabilities working at a car care service facility and gain further insight into their employment experiences and workplace conditions.

In Nakhon Si Thammarat Province, the team met with the job coach to review progress in supporting persons with disabilities to access employment. The team also interviewed prospective employees who were preparing their applications, allowing the team to better understand the preparation process, challenges encountered, and support required to facilitate their transition into employment.

The visits provided an opportunity to learn about job coaches’ experiences, observe workplace conditions, and identify challenges and opportunities in promoting disability-inclusive employment outside Bangkok. The findings will inform further efforts to strengthen the job coach system and improve employment support for persons with disabilities under the project.

Participants, persons with disabilities, organizers and APCD resource persons in a group photo at the training on "Disability-Inclusive Disaster Risk Reduction Plan of Local Governments" at Burapha University, Chonburi.

Mr. Somchai Rungsilp, Manager of the Community Development Department, gave a special lecture on "Disability-Inclusive Disaster Risk Reduction (DIDRR)".

A lecture on "UN Role and DIDRR", was delivered by Mr. Watcharapol Chuengcharoen, Chief of Networking & Collaboration, which covered key principles and regional UN frameworks on disaster management.

APCD resource person team conducted a session on "Developing a Disability-Inclusive Disaster Risk Reduction Plan at Community." Participants worked in small groups to draft the inclusive plans for their communities.

Participants took part in a fire evacuation drill to put disaster preparedness into practice

A photo of Organizer team from Burapha University and the APCD resource persons at the training.

APCD Served as Resource Persons for the Training on "Disability-Inclusive Disaster Risk Reduction Plan of Local Governments"

APCD served as a resource organization for the training on "Disability-Inclusive Disaster Risk Reduction Plan of Local Governments" on 8–9 October 2026 at the International College, Burapha University, Chonburi. The Academic Service Center (ASC) and the International College (IC), Burapha University, organized the training under the Lifelong Learning and Future Skills Promotion Project. It brought together local government officials, persons with disabilities and other stakeholders to strengthen their understanding of disability-inclusive disaster risk reduction (DIDRR). The APCD team included Mr. Somchai Rungsilp, Manager of the Community Development Department; Mr. Watcharapol Chuengcharoen, Chief of Networking & Collaboration; and Ms. Rinrada Thepkaew, Coordinator, Asia Center of Excellence of CBR/ CBID.

On 8 October, Mr. Somchai gave a special lecture on DIDRR on behalf of the Executive Director of APCD. On 9 October, Mr. Watcharapol spoke on the role of the United Nations in DIDRR. Mr. Somchai then led a session on developing a disability-inclusive disaster risk reduction plan. In the workshop that followed, participants drafted community DIDRR plans and received feedback from the APCD team and the Burapha University academic resource person. The day ended with a fire evacuation drill led by APCD Team, followed by a Q&A game facilitated by Ms. Rinrada and an evaluation of the training.

Ms. Supaanong Panyasirimongkol, Networking & Collaboration Officer, gave her perspective on the actual relations of persons with Autism and their family members.

Ms. Thorfan Dechachainimit, DIEB Project Coordinator, translate Mr. Kevin Cook Intervention to the subcommittee members.

Mr. Kevin Cook, SPD Foreign Lecturer from Thammasat University, shared his experience and insight when he was a personal assistant to persons with autism in the USA.

APCD Engages in National Dialogue on Personal Assistant (PA) System Reform

On 6 October 2026, Ms. Supaanong Panyasirimongkol, APCD Networking & Collaboration Officer and Ms. Thorfan Dechachainimit, DIEB Project Coordinator represented Asia-Pacific Development Center on Disability (APCD) as invited by the Committee on Social Welfare, House of Representatives, to participate in crucial discussions reviewing welfare criteria for caregivers and Personal Assistants (PAs).  

A recent comprehensive study highlights significant structural challenges within Thailand's current PA system, including delayed registration processes, slow budget disbursements, an inadequate compensation rate, and regional service disparities. While stakeholders hold differing views on permitting family members to register as PAs—balancing family economic relief with the independent living rights of persons with disabilities—there is a strong consensus on the urgent need for comprehensive systemic reform.

APCD continues to contribute valuable perspectives to help shape inclusive, rights-based policy recommendations that effectively address both caregiver burdens, and the diverse support needs of persons with disabilities.

Representatives from three hotels and persons with intellectual disabilities pose for a photo together at the Association For Parents Of Person With Intellectual Disability Of Thailand (APID).

Representatives from three hotels hold a 'Travel with Purpose' sign and freshly baked bread while posing for a photo at the Association For Parents Of Person With Intellectual Disability Of Thailand (APID).

Representatives from three hotels present a donation to Mr. Piroon Laismit, Executive Director of APCD, in support of APCD’s work and activities promoting disability-inclusive development.

Representatives from DoubleTree by Hilton Bangkok Ploenchit hold a 'Travel with Purpose' sign while posing for a photo before a bakery workshop session.

Representatives from Canopy by Hilton Bangkok Sukhumvit hold a 'Travel with Purpose' sign while posing for a photo before a bakery workshop session.

Participants attentively roll the dough under the guidance of persons with disabilities.

Participants show their dough that is ready to be baked.

Representatives from three hotels hold a 'Travel with Purpose' sign while posing for a photo after a bakery workshop session.

Representatives from three hotels donate the freshly baked bread to persons with intellectual disabilities at the Association For Parents Of Person With Intellectual Disability Of Thailand (APID).

Representatives from three hotels and persons with intellectual disabilities pose for a photo together after the freshly baked bread donation at the Association For Parents Of Person With Intellectual Disability Of Thailand (APID).

APCD Collaborated with Hilton Hotels on a Bakery Workshop and Bread Donation Activity

On 15 October 2026, Mr. Piroon Laismit, Executive Director of the Asia-Pacific Development Center on Disability (APCD), welcomed representatives from Conrad Bangkok, Canopy by Hilton Bangkok Sukhumvit, and DoubleTree by Hilton Bangkok Ploenchit to participate in a bread-making activity with the APCD 60+ Plus Bakery & Chocolate Project.

The activity provided an opportunity for the hotel representatives to engage in hands-on baking, exchange experiences, and learn more about the project’s efforts to promote vocational skills development and create opportunities for persons with disabilities. Ms. Wilailekha Somprach, Manager of 60+ Plus Project, also participated in the activity.

Following the workshop, the freshly baked bread was donated to the Association For Parents Of Person With Intellectual Disability Of Thailand (APID) to support persons with intellectual disabilities. In addition, the three hotels made a financial contribution to APCD to support its ongoing work and disability-inclusive initiatives.

APCD expressed its sincere appreciation to Conrad Bangkok, Canopy by Hilton Bangkok Sukhumvit, and DoubleTree by Hilton Bangkok Ploenchit for their participation and generous support. This collaboration reflects a shared commitment to promoting vocational opportunities, social participation, and disability-inclusive development towards a more inclusive society.

Mr. Piroon Laismit, Executive Director of APCD, introduces the APCD 60+ Plus Bakery & Chocolate Project to the JICA representatives.

Mr. Piroon Laismit, Executive Director of APCD, welcomes the JICA representatives for visiting the APCD 60+ Plus Bakery & Chocolate Project.

A staff member with a disability from the APCD 60+ Plus Bakery & Chocolate Project takes orders from the JICA representatives.

Ms. Nongnuch Maytarjittipun, Manager of Information & Knowledge Management, exchanges name cards with the JICA representatives.

Mr. SHINODA Takanobu, Director of Southeast Asia Division 4, Southeast Asia and Pacific Department (left) and Mr. HAYAKAWA Yuho, Senior Vice President of JICA listen to the introduction of the APCD 60+ Plus Bakery & Chocolate Project from Mr. Piroon Laismit, Executive Director of APCD.

Mr. Piroon Laismit, Executive Director of APCD (right), shares his insights on empowering persons with disabilities with Mr. Shunsuke Sakudo, Chief Representative of the JICA Thailand Office (left).

JICA Visited and Supported the APCD 60+ Plus Bakery & Chocolate Project

On 8 October 2026, Mr. Piroon Laismit, Executive Director of the Asia-Pacific Development Center on Disability (APCD), welcomed representatives from the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) during their visit to APCD. The delegation included Mr. HAYAKAWA Yuho, Senior Vice President of JICA; Mr. SHINODA Takanobu, Director of Southeast Asia Division 4, Southeast Asia and Pacific Department, JICA; Mr. Shunsuke Sakudo, Chief Representative of the JICA Thailand Office; and Mr. Kobchai Songsrisanga, Senior Program Officer, during their visit to APCD.

During the visit, the JICA representatives learned about the APCD 60+ Plus Bakery & Chocolate Project and its activities, which promoted skills development, employment opportunities, and the participation of persons with disabilities. They also experienced and supported the project by purchasing its bakery and chocolate products.

APCD expressed its sincere appreciation to JICA for its visit and support, which contributed to the continued promotion of disability-inclusive development and the creation of greater opportunities for persons with disabilities.

APCD participated in the significant event of the NADT on World Sign Language Day and World for the Deaf Week. Due to the severe flooding in Bangkok, APCD attended the event online.

APCD representative recommended training the Thai deaf persons in international sign language, increasing the links and networks with all sectors at different levels and applying CRPD to practical implementation.

The session was concluded with an importance of “the Rights of Deaf persons are Human Rights”.

APCD attended event conducted by the National Association of the Deaf in Thailand (NADT). 
APCD Representative participated the significant event of the National Association of the Deaf in Thailand (NADT) on World Sign Language Day and World for the Deaf Week. APCD as a panelist in the panel discussion on "Declaring Deaf People's Human Rights" on 26 September 2026.

Due to the severe flooding in Bangkok, the session was conducted in a hybrid format. APCD attended the event online. The panelists included representatives of Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities (DEP), NADT and APCD. The Discussion was highlighted on Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD), and how to promote the rights of the deaf persons in Thailand.    

APCD representative’s recommendations were as follows; training the Thai deaf persons in international sign language; increasing the links and networks with all sectors at different levels (international, national and community levels); applying CRPD to practical implementation. The session was concluded with an importance of “the Rights of Deaf persons are Human Rights”.  

Representatives from APCD and DEP participating in the Coordinating Platform Members Meeting.

Group pictures of meeting participants and the project working team at the Coordinating Platform Members Meeting.

A Job Coach representative sharing updates and experiences from her work supporting persons with disabilities.

Mr. Kevin Cook, Job Coach Expert, shares insights with Coordinating Platform members as a person who has been supporting job coaches throughout the project.

Second and Third Coordinating Platform Members Meeting under DIEB Project

On 20 August and 24 September 2026, the Asia-Pacific Development Center on Disability (APCD), in collaboration with the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP) and the Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities (DEP), held the online second and third Coordinating Platform Members Meetings under the Disability-Inclusive Employment and Business Project (DIEB). The meetings brought together representatives from diverse sectors, including government, private sector organizations, organizations of persons with disabilities (OPDs), and civil society organizations (CSOs), to strengthen collaboration on disability-inclusive employment in Thailand.

The meetings provided a platform for members to share updates, experiences, and challenges related to the development of the Job Coach system and the employment of persons with disabilities as well as providing a space for job coach to share the experiences and lessons learned. Discussions focused on strengthening coordination, sharing information and resources, and identifying opportunities to support Job Coaches in helping persons with disabilities access and sustain employment. The meetings also contributed to identifying areas for further collaboration and strengthening a coordinated support system for disability-inclusive employment.

During August and September 2026 in Chiang Mai, APCD collaborated with the Dulabhatorn Foundation (DBF) to conduct training sessions and a meeting among service providers.

Supported by the Safe Child Thailand (SCT), first training session for the parent group of children with disabilities was called “Disability Rights and Welfare of Persons with Disabilities in Thailand”.

The session was delivered by the representative of Chiang Mai Provincial Social Development and Human Security on 15 August 2026, at DBF office. More than 30 participants attended the session.

For the SCT supported activity, APCD Representative shared his experiences on the second training session on the topic of “Power of Family to support Children with Disabilities” on 19 September 2026.

The session included the interview of good practice of the father of children with disability to encourage parents and promote family empowerment.

The session also presented on how to play and sing a song with children with disabilities demonstrated by a teacher of DBF. Thirty parents of children with disabilities attended the session.

The second local coordinating mechanism meeting in Sansai District, Chiang Mai was organized on 18 September 2026. Eight participants who are representatives of medical therapists, DBF and APCD participated the meeting.

APCD’s Activities to promote Community and Family-Based Inclusive Development in Chiang Mai.

During August and September 2026 in Chiang Mai, APCD collaborated with the Dulabhatorn Foundation (DBF) to conduct two training sessions on development of capacity for the parent group of children with disabilities and a meeting on second local coordinating mechanism for service providers in Sansai District, Chiang Mai.

The activities implemented supported by the Safe Child Thailand (SCT). First training session for the parent group of children with disabilities was called “Disability Rights and Welfare of Persons with Disabilities in Thailand”. The session was delivered by the representative of Chiang Mai Provincial Social Development and Human Security on 15 August 2026, at DBF office. More than 30 parents of children with disabilities actively participated the session.

The second training session was called “The Power of Family to support Children with Disabilities”. The session was facilitated by the representative of APCD. The session also included the interview of a father of children with disabilities as well as presenting on how to play and sing a song with children with disabilities demonstrated by a teacher of DBF. The session was conducted on 19 September 2026, at DBF office. Thirty parents of children with disabilities attended the session.

The second local coordinating mechanism meeting for service providers in Sansai District, Chiang Mai was organized on 18 September 2026 at DBF office. Eight participants who were representatives of medical therapists, DBF and APCD participated this important meeting to review the referral system, DBF’s services process, Child Safeguard Policy, compulsory training courses of DBF for parents.  

These activities are evidences of DBF, its Partners, and the Community effectively promoting on the empowerment and inclusion of children with disabilities in Chiang Mai.

Group Photo of Dialogue Panel, including His Highness Tengku Amir Shah ibni Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah Alhaj, Crown Prince of Selangor and Patron of the Southeast Asia Chapter of UNESCO EE-Net.

Mr. Kerati Yingyuen, APCD nominated youth panel, representing Vulcan Coalition, shared insights on overcoming barriers to ensure entrepreneurship opportunities are accessible to everyone.

The dialogue panelist from various sectors shared their insights at UNESCO Regional Office in Bangkok.

Photo credits: GEN Thailand

UNESCO Hosts Intergenerational Dialogue on Entrepreneurship Education: “Beyond Jobs – Youth for Impact”

On 24 September 2026, representatives from the Asia-Pacific Development Center on Disability (APCD) participated in the UNESCO Intergenerational Dialogue, “Beyond Jobs: Intergenerational Dialogue on Entrepreneurship Education for Innovation, Youth Empowerment and Sustainable Development” at the UNESCO Bangkok Office. Organized by UNESCO Bangkok and the Asia Institute for Sustainable Entrepreneurship and Diplomacy (AISED), the event convened on the occasion of the visit of His Highness Tengku Amir Shah ibni Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah Alhaj, Crown Prince of Selangor and Patron of the Southeast Asia Chapter of UNESCO EE-Net.

The dialogue highlighted the regional movement "Beyond Jobs – Youth for Impact," focusing on lifelong learning, inclusive entrepreneurship, and connecting education with real-world problems. Speaking during the youth panel, Mr. Kerati Yingyuen, APCD nominated youth panel, representing Vulcan Coalition, shared insights on overcoming barriers to ensure entrepreneurship opportunities are accessible to everyone, including persons with disabilities. Accompanied by APCD delegates, the participation reaffirmed APCD’s commitment to driving disability inclusion and social empowerment in regional development networks.