Bangkok – On 3 July 2026, the Global Water and Sanitation Center (GWSC) participated in the workshop “Co-Creating Smart Water System: Designing Smart Water Management Through Collective Participation and Shared Decision-Making”, organized by the IWA Young Water Professionals (YWP) Thailand, in collaboration with Thai Water Expo 2026 and Informa Markets at the Queen Sirikit National Convention Center (QSNCC), Bangkok.
The event commenced with opening remarks by Dr. Chotiwat Jantarakasem, Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), USA, and Chair of IWA Young Water Professionals (YWP) Thailand, who emphasized the importance of empowering young water professionals, fostering collaboration, and promoting innovative solutions for sustainable water management.
The event featured a discussion session with the distinguished panelists, including Dr. Chawalit Chaiwong from GWSC/AIT and Mr. Wicharn Tantitham, Senior Advisor, Department of Public Works and Town & Country Planning (DPT), Thailand. The session explored stakeholder engagement, digital innovation, collaborative governance, urban planning, and community participation in shaping future smart water systems. The successful organization of the workshop was supported by the dedication of the organizing committee and volunteers. Dr. Chawalit Chaiwong from AIT/GWSC contributed as a panelist and facilitator, while GWSC staff members including Ms. Kesirine Jinda, Ms. Wilasinee Chanamarn, and Ms. Panadda Panchai provided valuable support as volunteers in participant registration, workshop coordination, and overall event management.
About IWA YWP Thailand
IWA Young Water Professionals (YWP) Thailand was established in September 2025 as the country’s national chapter of the IWA YWP network, open to water professionals aged 35 and under working across academia, industry, government, NGOs, and the public sector. The chapter’s formation was inspired by the IWA Leadership Programme for Young Water Professionals (IWA LeaP), which trained its founding members as change agents within the YWP community.
The chapter aligns its work with Thailand’s National Water Agenda, which spans six priority areas: safe and consumable water; water security for agriculture and industry; flood and disaster management; water quality improvement; watershed and forest restoration; and governance and administration. Its stated aims include building an inclusive, collaborative ecosystem for YWPs and developing a new generation of water sector leaders in Thailand.
