Panchana  Vatanasathien

Panchana Vatanasathien

PRESIDENT, KHAO YAI TOURISM ASSOCIATION

Industry : Advocacy

  • Social :

Panchana Vatanasathien, a law graduate and the current president of the Khao Yai Tourism Association, has made significant contributions to promoting sustainable tourism in Khao Yai. In her role, she collaborates with various stakeholders, including the business sector, hotels, restaurants, and farmers, to foster environmentally friendly tourism practices. Panchana is also the founder of the popular "PenLaos" restaurant, which operates as a community restaurant in Khao Yai. During the height of the Covid-19 pandemic, she initiated the "Food for Fighters" programme, providing frontline medical personnel with packaged meals. The initiative, supported by fundraising efforts and restaurant networks, gained certification from the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP). Her community-centric work aims to protect the environment and empower local communities, creating jobs and improving livelihoods for local farmers. Panchana helped to organise the Khao Yai Car Free Day 2023, which highlighted sustainable transportation options and eco-friendly practices, including walking, cycling, and running in the UNESCO-listed Park, zero-waste meals and stargazing. Her future goal is to create a 3-generation home care system. She draws inspiration from figures such as the Dalai Lama and Hermann Hesse''s novel "Siddhartha."

Panchana  Vatanasathien

Friday Future Lister: Panchana’s Impact on World Consumer Rights Day and Her Green Practices in Action

Through initiatives such as the PenLaos restaurant and Khao Yai Car-Free Day, Panchana promotes environmental consciousness and consumer rights, embodying responsible leadership.

For this week’s Friday Future List, which coincides with World Consumer Rights Day on March 15, we highlight Panchana Vatanasathien.

 

Panchana, a law graduate, serves as the president of the Khao Yai Tourism Association. Her efforts have significantly contributed to promoting sustainable tourism in the Khao Yai region.

Working closely with various stakeholders, including businesses, hotels, restaurants, and farmers, she endeavours to cultivate tourism practices mindful of the environment.

PenLaos: A Restaurant with Heart

Panchana created the “PenLaos” restaurant, which operates as a community-centric establishment in Khao Yai using high-quality ingredients sourced from local farmers. The restaurant operates with an understanding of the local ecosystem, striving to coexist with the surrounding forest. She ensures consumers are well-informed and empowered to make choices aligning with their values.

Leading Through Crisis: Food for Fighters

During the Covid-19 pandemic, she led the “Food for Fighters” programme, providing packaged meals to frontline medical personnel. This initiative, supported by fundraising activities and restaurant networks, received certification from the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP).

Panchana is dedicated and committed to empowering the community in the long term, aiming to protect the environment while creating employment opportunities and improving the lives of local farmers.

Khao Yai Car-Free Day 2023: A Showcase of Eco-Friendly Practices

Every year on 22 September, organisations in various countries around the world campaign for people to reduce their use of personal cars and instead use public transportation and bicycles, thereby reducing air pollution problems and improving air quality at least for one day.

Panchana played a key role last year in organising Khao Yai Car-Free Day, an event that included walking, cycling, and running within the UNESCO-listed Park, as well as the promotion of zero-waste meals and stargazing.

Panchana’s 3-Generation Homecare System

Looking ahead, Panchana envisions the establishment of a 3-generation home care system. Her vision is inspired by the teachings of the Dalai Lama and insights found in Hermann Hesse’s novel “Siddhartha.” By drawing from such sources of wisdom, she seeks to further her mission of promoting green practices and community well-being.

Her conviction to her causes resonates with the spirit of today and exemplifies the essence of responsible consumerism. Panchana’s forward-thinking leadership and dedication to green practices highlight her advocacy for consumer rights and for ensuring all are well-informed to make choices that benefit themselves and the environment.

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