Sikhio’s Journey to a Low-Carbon Tourism City

The National Institute of Development Administration (NIDA) organized a seminar to present its research project “Low Carbon High Future: Tourism Pathways Toward a New Ecosystem for a Sustainable Society.”

The event took place at the Chomphu Phuka Hall, Plant Genetic Conservation Project under the Royal Initiative, Sikhio District, Nakhon Ratchasima. Local residents from Khlong Phai and Nong Ya Khao subdistricts joined the seminar, which was officially opened by Mr. Chonbunlue Wattanaphan, Director of Tourism and Sports, Nakhon Ratchasima Province.

Mr. Chonbunlue remarked that Sikhio is truly a low-carbon area, as clean energy has been adopted in place of fossil fuels. At the same time, the community has developed tangible green tourism initiatives that align with the BCG Model (Bio Economy, Circular Economy, Green Economy)—adapted in simple, grassroots ways. Examples include organic farming, producing compost from food waste to nourish both the community and visiting tourists, waste separation, reliance on locally sourced products, reducing open burning, and tree planting.

“All these actions are guiding us toward becoming a genuine low-carbon city, which will allow Sikhio to pursue sustainable tourism,” he said.

“The goal is for visitors to Sikhio to engage in four key activities: travel, dine, stay, and shop. At the same time, our city must remain convenient, clean, safe, and distinctive—ready to welcome guests with sustainability, fairness in pricing, and authentic local identity.”

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Pattariya Lakkapetch, Head of Subproject 1 and Director of the Research Center at the National Institute of Development Administration, spoke on the theme “Building the Chain, Empowering the Community.”

She emphasized that while Sikhio already offers many engaging activities, becoming a true low-carbon tourism city cannot be achieved through isolated projects. Instead, it requires the development of an integrated green tourism supply chain—connecting upstream, midstream, and downstream sectors with eco-friendly production, services, and consumption.

“All activities must engage stakeholders across the system—communities, educational institutions, government agencies, businesses, and tourists,” she explained. “If done correctly, this will unlock opportunities for Sikhio to move toward sustainability. Importantly, no single person or group can achieve this alone. The community must open its heart and invite everyone to collaborate in building this chain, so that Sikhio can truly become a low-carbon tourism city.”

Meanwhile, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Jutharat Chompun, Head of Subproject 2 and Associate Dean for Academic Affairs at the School of Environmental Development Administration, NIDA, delivered a session on “Designing Green Cities: Moving Sikhio Toward Low Carbon for All.”

She highlighted that low-carbon tourism revolves around two key concepts: reduction and adaptation. Reduction refers to cutting greenhouse gas emissions—the primary driver of global warming—through measures such as energy efficiency, renewable energy, promoting clean energy, and sustainable transportation systems like cycling and walking. It also includes effective waste and wastewater management, as well as designing green urban spaces and public areas that enhance quality of life.

Adaptation, she explained, is about management and participation—ensuring that tourism development involves active engagement from local people, creating a culture of sustainability that will endure.

Asst. Prof. Dr. Wansida Boonyanametaporn, Program Director and Associate Dean for Planning, Quality Assurance, and Academic Services at the School of Tourism Management, NIDA, expressed her appreciation for meeting the local leaders driving green tourism in Sikhio. She emphasized the importance of collaboration between researchers, entrepreneurs, government, and the community to develop low-carbon tourism models tailored to the district’s context. Her focus was on promoting lifelong learning across all age groups and expanding toward social enterprises that would secure Sikhio’s sustainable future.

The seminar also featured a discussion session under the theme “Lifelong Learning in a Low-Carbon City: Linking the Value Chain with the Power of Social Enterprise.”

During the panel, Ms. Orawan Kobvittaya, Vice President of the Tourism Council of Thailand (Nakhon Ratchasima Office, Community Strategy Division), Executive Committee Member of Korat Thani Park, and Vice President of the Nakhon Ratchasima Tourism and Services Association, shared her perspective. Drawing from her experience in the EGAT (Electricity Generating Authority of Thailand) development area, she observed that any form of development cannot succeed if people do not understand it.

“Now, as representatives of civil society, we see that human development is crucial,” she said. “This is the message I want to leave with academic institutions: Sikhio is a community ready for change and growth. We are prepared to connect with all stakeholders—educational institutions, local administrations, municipalities—to move forward together toward becoming a low-carbon tourism city.”

She added, “For low-carbon tourism, we already have a starting model at Khao Chan Ngam and Khao Yai Tiang. These initiatives are still very much community-based, without adding heavy external structures, since it is only the beginning. If we impose overly strict standards at this stage, communities may withdraw. But I firmly believe Sikhio has the potential to make this happen.”

Ms. Panchana Vatanasathien, founder of the restaurant PenLaos and President of the Khao Yai Tourism Association, reflected on her journey from law to community-based entrepreneurship. Having previously worked as a lawyer and spent nearly 20 years with the Amata Foundation—most of that time focused on environmental issues—she explained how her career path eventually led her to establish a restaurant.

“At that time, society was already talking about an aging population, robots replacing human labor, and problems like teenage pregnancy,” she recalled. “So I thought about creating a business that could provide jobs for both the elderly and the young—and for myself when I grow old. That’s how I chose to open a restaurant. It was a way of turning social pain into social gain, creating social innovation that helps the community we live in to be happy.”

She also addressed the importance of collaboration among stakeholders:

“How do we ensure everyone walks this path together? It’s very simple. We always say: if Khao Yai were ever to be delisted as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, that would mean the environment is collapsing—and with it, every investment in Khao Yai would collapse too. This is why having a green heart matters. Whether global temperatures go down or not depends on us. Imagine opening your home and no one comes—you cannot survive. What we fear is our home being ruined, not sustained. That’s why we do everything necessary, and why entrepreneurs must also take part.”

Mr. Danunan Chaiyathum, Assistant Director of Hydropower Plant Division, Northeastern Region 1 (Lamtakong Jolabha Vadhana Power Plant), shared how the project has grown alongside the community since 1994.

“In the beginning, our role was mainly CSR—taking care of more than 2,000 rai of forest,” he explained. “But the turning point came when we dared to open part of the facility’s area for the community to use as a tourism site. That created a new dimension of tourism. Originally, the wind turbine project was only about environmental benefits. But once the community was invited in, the benefits expanded: EGAT gained electricity, and local people gained income.”

He went on to describe how the initiative evolved: car parks and restrooms were built, viewpoints established, cycling activities organized, and golf carts introduced for the elderly and disabled. Community shops, local transport services, and even “junior tour guides” emerged, all contributing to a more vibrant local economy.

“This has allowed the community to earn a living and enjoy a better quality of life,” Mr. Danunan concluded. “It is a genuine low-carbon tourism model that truly supports the community.”

Mr. Danunan further emphasized future directions:

“Now we are about to launch a Green-First Policy at Lamtakong. We will integrate clean energy—hydropower, wind, and solar—to serve as a model for other agencies. This approach will reduce carbon emissions while also supporting community development. Our goal is to elevate community-based tourism to welcome both Thai and international visitors.”

Meanwhile, Ms. Sumalee Bangkra, Senior Training and Vocational Officer at Khao Phrik Agricultural-Industrial Correctional Institution, shared another unique perspective.

She explained that the facility became the first prison in Thailand to win the Khog Nong Na Learning Center Award in 2022, recognized as a destination that promotes both health and environmental sustainability.

“At present, we are developing this into agricultural tourism in collaboration with Suranaree University of Technology,” she said. “Tourism trends require us to adapt. When we realized that content-driven tourism was on the rise, we shifted our approach. For example, instead of selling fresh mulberries at 20 baht per glass, we now let visitors pick mulberries themselves and blend them into smoothies at our café for 60 baht. This experience resonates strongly with today’s content creators and social media travelers.”

Ms. Sumalee added a final reflection:

“Once, students from Nong Nam Sai Subdistrict visited us and took our innovation of plastic-waste brooms to the next level—eventually winning an award. We saw this as society giving us an opportunity, but from the outside, they saw it as our youth giving them an opportunity too. It became a network of exchange. One thing we try to instill in the young people here is that they should not wait for opportunities from society. They must first give opportunities to themselves. Only then will society recognize their value.”

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