Imagine a place where students, designers and entrepreneurs can go to be inspired, to learn, to develop and test their ideas, where they can even present their products to the public. Now, step into the Thailand’s Creative & Design Center – a world-class playground for creativity.

The chairman of the Thailand Creative & Design Center, Pansak Vinyaratn had said that Thailand will not be able to compete with other nations when it comes to lower labour costs. He believes that in order to succeed in the global market there is a growing need to stay competitive and to capitalize on the ability to design products and services to better meet market demand. And that the Thai people should have better access to knowledge to inspire their creativity and to allow them to develop original products. As a result, the TCDC has become a major initiative of the Thai government to turn Thailand into a knowledge-centric society.

The TCDC originally opened in Bangkok in November of 2004 and was relocated in May of 2017 to the Grand Postal Building in Charoenkrung, the area of the city that is being developed as Bangkok’s creative and economic district for a whole new generation. The first design resource and learning facility of its kind for the Asian country, the center was created in order to foster the creative potential of the Thai public and to inspire innovative ideas among entrepreneurs and design professionals.

The new center now spans five floors in a 9000-meter space which is divided into six zones: Resource Center, Exhibition Gallery, Creative Co-Working Space, Creative Business Center, Maker Space and the Design Innovation Center. The Resource Center is a well-designed library and silent study area which occupies the entire fourth floor and features more than 18,000 art and design references. FabCafe Bangkok set up and manages the Maker Space, where designers and entrepreneurs can turn their ideas into products using cutting-edge technology. Tools available are: a prototyping machine, 3D printer, CNC router and a laser cutter. The fifth floor hosts the Creative Space where co-working areas and a business center are in place. Staff are there to answer questions about the creative and design industry, crowd-funding sources and how to make important business connections.

Aside from the resources offered, visitors are invited to experience a wide range of activities, such as lectures, workshops and networking events, as well as exhibitions held in the ground floor’s exhibit space. Throughout the center, the user can find examples of classic design, including functional furniture. Clients are also encouraged to present their innovations to the public at no cost. The TCDC also boasts a rooftop garden, designed by the architectural firm Shma, which offers stunning views of the city.

At WDO, we’re proud to count the TCDC as one of our members for it is a shining global example of how implementing a creative space in a developing country to support research, innovation and production will add value to the country’s design culture and subsequently increase its export potential.

If you have the chance to visit Bangkok, be sure to make a stop at the TCDC! Visitors from outside of Thailand can access the center by presenting their passport or I.D. for a trial visit, while the exhibition space, restaurant and shop have no admission fee. The center even offers a 10-day tourist pass for a small fee.

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