Sathorn BKK at Bangkok Design Week 2024
[SATHORN, BANGKOK] – In a lively celebration of community and innovation, Sathorn BKK made its grand debut at Bangkok Design Week 2024 on January 27th. The launch event, titled “Sathorn BKK: More Than A Business District.”, featured an insightful panel discussion at the Thailand Creative & Design Center (TCDC). This engaging forum set the stage for a dynamic exchange of ideas, aiming to activate the Sathorn community brand, transforming it from its traditional business hub perception into a vision of a multifaceted urban neighborhood brimming with creativity and culture.
Created by Universal Admedia as an initiative to capitalize on the community brand opportunity, the Sathorn BKK brand manifests as a community platform, championing the rich tapestry of the historic neighborhood. This initiative reflects a bold redefinition of the Sathorn brand, transcending its identity as Bangkok's central business district. Over the years, Sathorn has evolved into a nexus for an eclectic mix of residents, visitors, and businesses ranging from real estate and finance to embassies. The Sathorn BKK brand’s mission is to interweave the unique essence of Sathorn into Bangkok's broader narrative, highlighting its vibrant potential for contemporary urban living.
The launch at Bangkok Design Week 2024 marked a significant milestone for Sathorn BKK. The festival, a beacon of Bangkok’s creative and design prowess, attracted over 5,000 attendees from diverse backgrounds, including creators, entrepreneurs, designers, and academics. This international gathering provided a pivotal platform for Sathorn BKK to engage in essential discussions about the city's future and its role in fostering urban innovation and cultural dynamism.
The inaugural panel, steered by Universal Admedia and Sathorn BKK’s Creative Director, M Aroonrut, was a melting pot of visionary ideas. It featured esteemed industry leaders like Duangporn Songvisava (Chef Bo) of Bo.lan, Thomas Santiwarodom of Mod Kaew Wine Bar, Tatchai Nakapan of the Supanniga Group, and Ben-David Sorum of BY.SORUM. Their collective insights shed light on Sathorn's influential role in shaping the success and character of Bangkok.
In the heart of the panel discussion, the speakers shared their personal journeys and inspirations behind establishing their businesses in Sathorn. "When we moved to Sathorn," Santiwarodom said, "it's much more family-friendly. It wasn't intentional to become a family spot, but Sathorn itself is kind of shaping the place into one."
They spoke passionately about how the neighborhood's dynamic character and evolving landscape had significantly shaped their business identities The panelists expressed a collective desire to see Sathorn flourish with more cultural, communal, and creative spaces, fostering a community that blends business with art, sports, recreation, and lifestyle. Delving into the nuances of opening a restaurant, they discussed the intricate thought processes involved, from conceptualization to realization, emphasizing the importance of understanding the local palate and cultural context. "Street food is something we should share and safeguard." Chef Bo Songvisava said. "For example, Err Restaurant aims to be a place that offers nostalgic Thai-styled Grilled Pork and Sticky Rice, just like where we had it growing up at St. Louise Market."
Comparisons were drawn between Sathorn and other vibrant neighborhoods globally, highlighting similarities in cultural richness and entrepreneurial spirit. In his remarks, Tatchai Nakapan, CEO of Supanniga Group, compared Shibuya and Sathorn Soi 10-12: “Both are small neighborhoods, but full of charisma, built by entrepreneurs passionate about their businesses.” he said.
The session was enriched with valuable advice for aspiring business owners and entrepreneurs, emphasizing the importance of resilience, adaptability, and staying true to one's vision in the face of challenges. This exchange of ideas not only celebrated Sathorn's unique qualities but also provided insights into the broader narrative of urban development and entrepreneurial success. “Sathorn is an unpolished gem that needs to be brought back to life,” added Ben-David Sorum.
Sathorn BKK's launch at Bangkok Design Week 2024 was not just an event – it was the dawn of a new era for the Sathorn community. As the platform introduced itself to both local and international audiences, it established foundational connections that promise to propel Sathorn into a future where business, culture, and community harmoniously coexist.
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About
Sathorn BKK
Sathorn BKK: More Than A Business District aims to explore how this district has played a pivotal role in shaping Bangkok's urban fabric. Our event promises a gathering of distinguished business owners and thought leaders, each representing diverse industries that thrive within Sathorn. Together, we will embark on an enlightening journey to uncover Sathorn's profound impact on the city's economic expansion, its remarkable role as a nucleus for international cultural exchange, and its undeniable significance in fostering global relationships facilitated by the presence of embassies, corporate entities, and esteemed educational institutions.
About Universal Admedia
Universal Admedia is a community, a confederation of creatives, trend-watchers, entrepreneurially-inclined design-heads, and professional culture influencers. We are individuals who choose to collaborate under the umbrella of a visionary purpose, each of us adding our own unique gifts and highlights into a collective repertoire of advertising, marketing, and branding experience. We are an eclectic and diverse fold committed to achievement in formats ranging from art, music, culture, and more.
Founded in 2007 and based globally, Universal Admedia exists in a decisively disseminated framework, reaching from Medellín to Bangkok to New York City to Honolulu. We are, in the most literal terms, a virtual global creative agency, and one of the first of its kind servicing entrepreneurs, c suite executives, founders, authors, and tastemakers.
About Bangkok Design Week
Bangkok Design Week (BKKDW) proposes the prominence of Bangkok’s design and creative works. Through these works, the festival presents ambitious ideas and new possibilities of Bangkok, now and in the future.
Celebrated in the creative districts, these creative works range from experimental pieces to the works with social and business impacts. With fun activities and memorable experiences, the festival is blended beautifully with the charm of Bangkok and attracts visitors from across the world to experience Bangkok’s latest happening.