Co-founders of Bangkok Rooftop Farming
Pareena Prayukvong
Roles on the farm:
Being an older sibling, a parent, an aunt, taking care of younger ones, being a team that does everything to make the company’s dreams come true.
Where are they from:
They come from parents who migrated from China and were born in Bangkok, studying in Bangkok. They are Bangkokians since birth.
What are they currently doing:
They are working as a coordinator in a sustainable development network association, connecting all sectors to develop a circular economy.
Why do they want to participate in farming:
They want to address the issue of global warming that even small individuals can contribute to. Food waste is a crucial intermediary. They want to transform something that everyone thinks is unpleasant and no one cares to manage because they find it unpleasant, but they want to make it help reduce global warming, turning it from a villain to a hero and something that people are interested in.
Expectations and hopes for Bangkok Rooftop Farming (BRF):
They hope that Bangkokians not only understand but also take action by themselves, realizing that waste can create value. Organic waste can be transformed into compost, which in turn helps create an ecosystem within themselves and acts as a carbon sink, aiding in reducing carbon dioxide levels in the air. They also hope to cultivate vegetables that everyone can grow.
“Wake up! The kettle is boiling, and we can’t escape. Come help cool down the kettle and make it possible for us to swim in it like before. Look at our own food waste, see if there’s space “
Promsub seosattayawong
Roles on the farm:
They are responsible for planning, strategizing, overseeing communication, and marketing.
Where are they from:
They are from Bangkok, born and raised there.
What are they currently doing:
They are involved in strategy, communication, and planning for SMEs (Small and Medium-sized Enterprises).
Why do they want to participate in farming:
They are fond of the model related to food, self-sustainability, and being environmentally friendly. They want to contribute to increasing green spaces in the city.
Expectations and hopes for Bangkok Rooftop Farming (BRF):
They want to see this model expand to multiple buildings in Bangkok and become widespread. They hope it becomes a vegetable-growing initiative and provides activity spaces for people in the area.
“I want to invite everyone who is interested and believes that we can make small changes from small starting points. There are plans that can be expanded, and here, there are various activities that can be collectively participated in. I encourage you to follow, inquire, and discover a warm and powerful community.”
Thanakorn Jiakamonchuen
Roles on the farm:
The manager of the Wasteable farm.
Where are they from:
They are from Bangkok, the capital city, born and raised there.
What are they currently doing:
They are overseeing the project of converting food waste into rooftop vegetable gardens at the Center One Building.
Why do they want to participate in farming:
They want to create a sustainable model for managing food waste and establish a career path in urban agriculture for city dwellers.
Expectations and hopes for Bangkok Rooftop Farming (BRF):
Their expectations and desires for BRF are to establish a socially-driven business that promotes sustainable management of food waste and can grow continuously as a business model. They aim to address the significant problem of food waste in society.
“I would like to invite everyone to join in creating a new approach to food waste management in your hands. These food scraps can either create problems or value for future generations. The choice is yours.”
Krisada Noibuddee
Roles on the farm:
Contributing to the development of technical work on the farm and communication.
Where are they from:
They are originally from Udon Thani and came to work in Bangkok.
What are they currently doing:
Currently working as an electronics engineer, developing machinery in the electronics industry. They utilize their spare time to apply their technical skills and collaborate in developing and creating the Wastegetable prototype farm.
Why do they want to participate in farming:
They have never seen a commercial project like this, which is genuinely dedicated and widely popular in Thailand. They bring engineering principles to help reduce labor in daily tasks, such as automating timed watering systems with drip irrigation. They also design raised planting tables that are convenient, easy to clean, and suitable for urban farming in limited spaces.
Expectations and hopes for Bangkok Rooftop Farming (BRF):
They hope to receive attention and support from both the government and private sector to apply this concept within organizations and create a network of agricultural businesses in the capital city.
“I would like to invite those who are interested and seeking opportunities in urban agricultural businesses to join hands and collectively make it a widespread reality in Bangkok.”
Attapon Niphatroj
Roles on the farm:
Being part of the sales team to present training courses to organizations and interested individuals, as well as selling products.
Where are they from:
They are from Bangkok.
What are they currently doing:
They are currently employed as a salesperson.
Why do they want to participate in farming:
They are interested in getting involved because they have noticed a significant amount of food waste in today’s society, and they have never seen any group actively addressing this issue. They appreciate that BRF has come up with the idea of utilizing leftover food scraps by converting them into compost and incorporating them into the soil for productive and chemical-free cultivation.
Expectations and hopes for Bangkok Rooftop Farming (BRF):
They want to see urban residents have access to high-quality, chemical-free food and improve the environment (air, water, scenery, food) in their community and city. They hope that people in the city can have good health and positive moods. They also want to see buildings and shopping malls incorporate spaces for such beneficial projects.
“I would like to invite everyone, regardless of generation, age, or gender, to join together in implementing these great projects. By doing so, we can contribute to the betterment of our society and Thailand, increase green spaces, have cleaner air, promote the well-being of individuals, and enhance tourism in Thailand. Looking towards the future, it may create more employment opportunities and provide additional income for everyone. In today’s era, being a farmer not only means cultivating but also involves the necessity of selling.”
Somsap Rattanamontrichai
Roles on the farm:
Taking care of the company’s finances and designing a financial system to ensure a steady cash flow suitable for the farm business
Where are they from:
They are from Bangkok, specifically the Thonburi side.
What are they currently doing:
They work as a money tutor, promoting financial knowledge among Thai people.
Why do they want to participate in farming:
They are interested in the concept of safe food and creating sustainable livelihoods for urban dwellers.
Expectations and hopes for Bangkok Rooftop Farming (BRF):
They hope that BRF will grow into a socially responsible business that can enter the stock market, maintain consistent profitability for shareholders, and withstand any economic crises.
“I would like to invite everyone to learn about personal finance and methods of creating a profession while living close to nature, reducing food waste, promoting safe food sources, and collectively developing Bangkok to become a livable city.”
suksan kienphap
Roles on the farm:
My role at Bangkok Rooftop Farming is to be like an assistant to everyone, whether it’s in production, sales, marketing, or even addressing the challenges faced by the urban farm.
Where are they from:
I am from a different province but have chosen to live in the capital city, like many young people.
What are they currently doing:
I work as a salaried employee in a company.
Why do they want to participate in farming:
The reason I want to join the team is that I see the opportunity to learn, get hands-on experience, and utilize my existing knowledge to develop the agricultural business. Additionally, it provides a secondary source of income and knowledge for young people seeking additional income and skills.
Expectations and hopes for Bangkok Rooftop Farming (BRF):
The vision I would like to see in the future is to become a driving force and create green spaces, solve environmental problems using modern agricultural methods, and contribute to leisure activities while improving the quality of life.
“In some things we have done, it seemed impossible until we actually tried. We realized that the only reason we couldn’t do something was that we didn’t know how. Don’t be afraid to try, and if you encounter problems, learn and improve. This is probably the answer to ‘not knowing’.”