How can forest restoration progress sustainably if local people still face livelihood challenges?
The 'Nan Sandbox' is a model that brings together government, business, and community collaboration to link natural resource conservation with livelihood creation, so forest preservation and community well-being advance together.
Bandun Lamsam, Honorary Chairman of Kasikorn Bank, presented this approach at the event “Asia’s Philanthropic Future: Catalyzing Growth and Partnership.” The Kasikornthai Foundation, together with the Asian Philanthropy Commission, organized the event on 17 Oct 2026 GMT+7 at the Mandarin Oriental Hotel in Bangkok as an official parallel event to the IMF-World Bank Group Annual Meetings 2026, attended by over 100 policymakers, philanthropic leaders, and business executives.
On this platform, philanthropy’s role was viewed beyond just monetary donations, emphasizing how capital, expertise, business networks, and community relationships can help solve social problems and support long-term national development.
Bandun explained that the Nan Sandbox project leverages business sector expertise to build partnerships with government and local communities, linking forest restoration with sustainable livelihood creation, youth education, and healthcare services.
This approach connects addressing forest encroachment with improving community quality of life, positioning the project as a prototype adaptable to other areas in the country.
Another related collaboration involving Nan Province is the pilot of “Natural Capital Accounting,” led by the World Bank, Kasikornthai Foundation, and the National Economic and Social Development Council (NESDC).
. Chen Guangzhe, Vice President of the Planet Group at the World Bank, highlighted the significant collaboration among the World Bank, Kasikornthai Foundation, and NESDC in piloting Natural Capital Accounting in Nan Province. “Philanthropy has unique potential to experiment with innovations, cultivate community relationships, and generate evidence needed to attract broader public and private funding,” Chen said.
Additionally, a high-level panel discussion featured Arturo Franco, Director of Group Strategy at the World Bank; Dr. Somkiat Tangkitvanich, President of the Thailand Development Research Institute (TDRI); NG Boon Heong, CEO and Executive Director of Temasek Foundation; and Siti Kamariah Ahmad Subki, Managing Director and Trustee of Yayasan Hasanah Foundation. Panelists agreed that the true value of philanthropy goes beyond funding, focusing on leveraging non-monetary assets such as business networks and community trust to coordinate resources and support government operations. They also concluded that scaling successful local pilot projects into sustainable systemic solutions requires early collaboration among private sector, communities, and government to establish feasible long-term financing mechanisms.
Kobkarn Wattanavrangkul, Chairperson of the Kasikornthai Foundation, stated that good intentions can yield broader results when supported by effective systems. Through the Kasikornthai Foundation’s work and collaboration with the Asian Philanthropy Commission, they are bringing regional knowledge to discussions tailored to Thailand’s context, leveraging long-established networks and capabilities to tackle the country’s key social challenges.
Meanwhile, Dr. Gabriel Leung, Director of the Institute of Philanthropy, and Ichiro Kabasawa, Executive Director of the Nippon Foundation, as Co-Convenors of the Commission, emphasized the shared evidence base and regional connectivity networks built by the Asian Philanthropy Commission and how these will strengthen cooperation and action across Asia.
In a keynote speech, His Excellency Professor Dr. Yossapon Vongsawat, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Higher Education, Science, Research and Innovation, addressed the country’s development needs (Demand Side), highlighting the critical role of philanthropic cooperation in natural conservation and grassroots community development. He emphasized that flexible private sector funding aimed at long-term outcomes can effectively complement and expand government initiatives. He also stressed that research institutes, universities, and innovation agencies play a vital role in connecting philanthropic support to tangible results, including talent development and scalable solutions.
Meanwhile, Dr. Xiao Liming, Secretary-General of Tencent Charity Foundation, shared examples of applying key digital technologies to connect communities and reduce collaboration costs among sectors, strengthening social resilience and sustainability through strategic partnerships between business, government, and social organizations.
During the event, the Commission’s interim report in Thai was officially launched, highlighting the philanthropic capital’s potential in the region to support national development agendas.
The Commission estimated donations within its jurisdiction totaled $190 billion (approximately 3.9 trillion baht) in 2024, projecting a value exceeding $1 trillion (about 35 trillion baht) within the next decade.
The report also offers data and best practices contextualized for different countries and economic zones in the region, providing policymakers and philanthropic organizations in Thailand with guidance to better align charitable giving with national development goals.
Thus, philanthropy’s challenges at this forum ranged from fundraising to designing collaborations that ensure community-level projects have sufficient resources and support to sustain long-term progress.