Friso Cornelis Poldervaart

Co-Founder, Bangkok Community Help Foundation

Industry : Advocacy

This Dutch entrepreneur and philanthropist co-founded Bangkok Community Help Foundation during the height of the Covid pandemic. While providing much-needed food packages to the Klongtoey community, he observed issues such as garbage sites infested by rats, dilapidated houses, lack of food and basic sanitation facilities. With his team of volunteers, he has since helped over 1 million people with food deliveries as well as community development–re-housing, renovation, educational programs and construction projects to improve the communities in Klong Toey and beyond. His long-term plans include tackling homelessness, education and inequality. In his free time he likes working out and playing tennis. He is a Hong Kong cinephile–he graduated as a cinematographer—and founded the creative film/video production agency Digital Distinct. He finds Jackie Chan a source of inspiration for his incredible persistence, craftsmanship and making it big against all odds. Prior to Covid, Friso launched the popular “Dinner in the Sky Thailand”, a restaurant hoisted by a crane 50 meters up in the air. He hopes to inspire others to pass on the act of kindness and to follow their dreams, to be a voice for the marginalised, and leave a legacy of long-term change.