Bangkok--25 Feb-- The 1st Thailand EcoDesign Award: EcoDesign 2008 has been officially launched and showed off its success with 222 concept papers from school and university students, designers, the public and other sectors nationwide competing for the Royal Trophy and total rewards of 300,000 bath. 22 February 2008, Central World Plaza, Bangkok: Thai Green Design Network (TGDN) under the supervision of the National Metal and Materials Technology Center (MTEC), National Science and Technology Development Agency (NSTDA), Ministry of Science and Technology in cooperation with the Thailand Creative and Design Center (TCDC), supported by Ministry of Industry, held the press conference to officially launch the 1st Thailand EcoDesign Award: EcoDesign 2008 under the theme “Economic & Ecological Design for the Quality of Living and Environment” after the application and concept paper submission was closed in the mid of February. The Minister of Science and Technology and the Minister of Industry presided over the press conference and made an official launch of the 1st Thailand EcoDesign Award. Gaining a lot of interest from the press and the public, highlights of the event included a fashion show presenting some of the innovative EcoDesign concepts for the quality of living and environment, and a talk show of special guest speakers Asst. Prof. Dr. Singh Intrachooto and Assoc. Prof. Dr. Thumrongrut Mungcharoen on the Economical & Ecological Design concept, contest process and judgment criteria. Mr. Wutthipong Chaisang, Minister of Science and Technology stated that the 1st Thailand EcoDesign Award: EcoDesign 2008 is a significant step of Thailand to encourage the application of science and technology in the development of the eco products which are much-needed domestically and internationally. The contest is widely open for students, the interested public, and the industrial sector, offering an opportunity to a variety of contestants to present different angles of ideas and experiences. Such innovative ideas should be applied to the existing technology or bring forward the future technology, resulting in the advancement of science and technology in Thailand. Mr. Chakramon Phasukavanich, Permanent Secretary of the Minister of Industry, as another supporter of this project, stated that Economic & Ecological Design: EcoDesign or Green Design is a global movement and has become a proactive management trend. EcoDesign focuses on reducing waste, and extending product life by recycling and reusing to avoid any possible damage throughout the product lifecycle. EcoDesign is vital not only for the environment crisis relief or proactive management, but also for the promotion of the import and export businesses in the global market. The contest plays an important role in the concept enhancement and the development of the industrial sector of Thailand. After the application and concept paper submission was closed on February 7th, Asst. Prof. Dr. Lerkiat Vongsarnpigoon, President of Thai Green Design Network (TGDN), said that the contest is open for all the interested public who care for environment. The unexpectedly overwhelming feedback was received as 222 concept papers submitted from all the four divisions of the contestants. 32 concept papers were submitted in the 1st division consisting of students in secondary schools (grade 7-12) or equivalence, and 115 concept papers in the 2nd division consisting of higher vocational, undergraduate, and graduate students or equivalence. Both divisions compete under the theme “Design for 3Rs: Reduce Reuse Recycle” (Material & Energy)”. “Another 45 concept papers were submitted in the 3rd division consisting of independent inventors and the interested public while the other 15 concept papers in the 4th division consisting of industrial and Thailand-based businesses. Both divisions compete under the theme “Design based on Life Cycle Thinking Approach”. This event aims to spark innovative ideas in designing environment-friendly products and to encourage Thai people to put more care on the environment,” said Asst. Prof. Dr. Lerkiat. Assoc. Prof. Dr. Werasak Udomkichdecha, Acting Director of the National Metal and Materials Technology Center (MTEC), as a supporter of the project, mentioned that this contest aims to support the preparation and training of personnel by improving skills of the contestants in applying science and technology to create EcoDesign products. All contestants are expected to show their innovative ideas through their work, and gain more knowledge from the contest. In addition, this contest should help encouraging Thai people to care more for the environment, especially the global warming pollution. Committee Representative Asst. Prof. Dr. Singh Intrachooto, Head of Building Innovation and Technology Program and Assistant Professor, Faculty of Architecture, Kasetsart University, noted that he was glad to be part of the judge committee of this contest. Overall, the submitted concept papers in the 4 divisions came up with a good to excellent level. Students, the public and the industrial sector demonstrated their talent and interesting ideas in the design. He was confident that the winning concept papers will be quality pieces of work that can be implemented into eco-products and that can be the pride of Thailand in the global arena. Regarding the contest judgment procedures, after gathering all the concept papers, the judge committee will decide on qualified concept papers in each division. The owner of the qualified concept papers will be provided with training sessions to be able to implement eco-design concepts more effectively. The press and the interested public are invited to witness the qualified concept papers in March. Then, the final round and the award presentation ceremony will be held on Friday 25th of April 2008. The winners will receive the trophy of Her Royal Highness Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn and prizes totaling more than 300,000 baht. For more information, please contact Public Relations and Exhibition Center Kajonsak Sa-nguansak Public Relations, MTEC Tel: 02-5646500 Ext. 4519, Mobile: 081-6229608 Or Public Relations Consultants Warunee Apiraksukhuma (Wa), Tel: 08 1867 7789 Apisara Thamawichai (Ying), Tel: 08 7829 3922 Karnchana Phungsup (Karn), Tel: 08 6338 0365 E-mail: [email protected]