From left to right in the back row, Ms. Yamamoto Saeko, Ms. Fujihara Aika, Ms. Nuntaporn Sittidetboripat, Ms. Komahashi Rie, Mr. Sammy Carolus, Mr. Narinthon Jaiyen and a male trainee.  From left to right in the front row, Mr. Pongsawat Wongsakthaworn, Ms. Ichigi Akari, Ms. Nongnuch Maytarjittipun (seated in a wheelchair), a male trainee, a female trainee and Ms. Wilailekha Somprach 

From left to right, Ms. Ichigi Akari, Ms. Nuntaporn Sittidetboripat and Ms. Fujihara Aika

APCD representatives (facing the camera) and Mr. Sammy Carolus (right, facing the camera) speak with the JICA Thailand delegation (opposite them) and Mr. Narinthon Jaiyen (right, opposite them)

Ms. Nongnuch Maytarjittipun (left, seated in a wheelchair) and Mr. Sammy Carolus (left) speak with Ms. Ichigi Akari (right) and Mr. Narinthon Jaiyen (right)

From left to right, Mr. Sammy Carolus, Ms. Nongnuch Maytarjittipun (seated in a wheelchair) and a male trainee, both holding a rose together, and a male trainee holds a bucket of roses

From left to right, Ms. Yamamoto Saeko, Ms. Fujihara Aika, Ms. Ichigi Akari, Mr. Sammy Carolus and Ms. Komahashi Rie

From left to right, Ms. Fujihara Aika, Ms. Yamamoto Saeko, Ms. Wilailekha Somprach, Ms. Nuntaporn Sittidetboripat, Mr. Narinthon Jaiyen with Mr. Pongsawat Wongsakthaworn (background) and Ms. Nongnuch Maytarjittipun (in front of everyone, seated in a wheelchair)

From left to right, Mr. Sammy Carolus, Ms. Komahashi Rie, Ms. Ichigi Akari, Ms. Fujihara Aika, and Ms. Yamamoto Saeko

Mr. Narinthon Jaiyen (left) receives a gift from Ms. Komahashi Rie (right)

Mr. Pongsawat Wongsakthaworn (left) receives a gift from Ms. Komahashi Rie (right)
 

JICA Thailand Visits Hyatt Regency Bangkok Sukhumvit to Follow Up on APCD’s Disability Internship Program

On 9 July 2026, representatives from the Japan International Cooperation Agency Thailand Office (JICA Thailand) visited Hyatt Regency Bangkok Sukhumvit to follow up on the progress of trainees participating in the 6th Vocational Training Program for Persons with Disabilities in Food & Hospitality and to exchange views on promoting disability-inclusive employment.

The JICA Thailand delegation comprised Ms. Komahashi Rie, Senior Representative; Ms. Ichigi Akari, Representative; Ms. Nuntaporn Sittidetboripat, Project Officer; Ms. Fujihara Aika, Japan Overseas Cooperation Volunteer (JOCV); and Ms. Yamamoto Saeko, Japan Overseas Cooperation Volunteer (JOCV).

The delegation was welcomed by Mr. Sammy Carolus, General Manager; Mr. Narinthon Jaiyen, Director of Human Resources; and Mr. Pongsawat Wongsakthaworn, Learning Manager, of Hyatt Regency Bangkok Sukhumvit. Representatives from the Asia-Pacific Development Center on Disability (APCD) included Ms. Nongnuch Maytarjittipun, Manager of the Information & Knowledge Management Department; Ms. Wilailekha Somprach, Manager of APCD 60+ Plus Projects; Mr. Krittapol Chamrasromran, Communications and Administrative Support Officer of the Information & Knowledge Management Department; and Ms. Isabella Gacono, APCD Intern.

During the visit, the participants observed the workplace performance and learning progress of persons with disabilities undertaking internships at the hotel. The visit highlighted the importance of practical workplace experience in strengthening vocational skills, building confidence, and enhancing readiness for meaningful employment in the hospitality industry.

The visit also provided a valuable opportunity for JICA Thailand, Hyatt Regency Bangkok Sukhumvit, and APCD to exchange knowledge and experiences while further strengthening collaboration in promoting Disability-Inclusive Business (DIB) and expanding inclusive employment opportunities for persons with disabilities.

APCD sincerely appreciates the continued support and collaboration of JICA Thailand and Hyatt Regency Bangkok Sukhumvit in advancing disability-inclusive development. APCD looks forward to strengthening these partnerships and continuing to work together toward creating a more inclusive society with equal opportunities for persons with disabilities.