Thailand Recognized for Excellence in Community Housing at Asian Forum
Deputy Prime Minister Yoschanan Wongsawasdi celebrated Thailand's role in hosting the Collective Housing Best Practices Forum, highlighting 87 Asian projects that promote community-led housing solutions.
On October 26, 2026, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Higher Education, Science, Research and Innovation, Yoschanan Wongsawasdi, presided over the 'Collective Housing Best Practices Forum & Collective Housing Award 2026' at Government House in Bangkok. The event, held in honor of World Habitat Day, recognized 87 exemplary projects from across Asia that demonstrate the effectiveness of community-managed housing.
During the ceremony, officials emphasized that these initiatives are vital for poverty reduction, narrowing social inequality, and resolving local conflicts. The Thai government expressed its intention to leverage these successes to evolve the existing 'Baan Mankong' (Secure Housing) program into a broader 'Muang Mankong' (Secure City) initiative, integrating scientific innovation to improve urban living standards.
For residents and observers, this development signals a continued government focus on urban development and social welfare. The forum brought together representatives from 15 countries, including academics and community leaders, to share strategies for sustainable living. While the government has stated its ambition to scale these community-led models into city-wide frameworks, specific timelines and the exact mechanisms for this transition remain to be confirmed. The event underscores Thailand's active participation in regional dialogues regarding sustainable urban infrastructure and community empowerment.
