On 15-16 August 2025, the Royal Thai Embassy in Stockholm, through the Thailand and Nordic Countries Innovation Unit (TNIU), together with various partners, organized the seminar “Jump-Start Wood City: From Local Empowerment to Global Partnerships” in Phrae Province. The event aimed to integrate knowledge and exchange best practices in sustainable forestry management and the wood industry between Sweden and Thailand, bringing to Phrae Province, a strategic area for Thailand’s bio-based economy, with the vision to develop the “Phrae Sandbox” as Thailand’s model sustainable wood city.

This event was held under the 5th Thailand-Sweden Sustainable Development Forum 2025, hosted this year by the Royal Thai Embassy. For the first time, global partnerships were connected directly to the local level at the Phrae Forest Innovation Institute. Over two days, more than 200 participants attended in person, while over 8,200 people joined online. The forum created an open platform for stakeholders across government, private sector, academia, and civil society to discuss challenges and opportunities in strengthening the forestry value chain, from upstream to downstream, covering policy, financial mechanisms, research and education, and forest-based innovation-driven economy. Seven pilot project ideas were presented, with potential for further development into both international and domestic collaborations.

In addition, the Embassy of Sweden in Thailand was invited to co-host the exhibition Wood Life Sweden, showcasing 40 examples of wood industry development in Sweden, from small-scale works to large projects. The exhibition runs from 15 August to 15 October 2025 at the Green House, Chetawan Arboretum Forest Learning Center, Phrae Province.

Mrs. Arunrung Phothong Humphreys, Ambassador of Thailand to Stockholm, delivered the opening remarks, reaffirming her strong commitment to advancing Thailand–Sweden cooperation in sustainable forestry. She highlighted past efforts, including an online seminar in 2022 with Swedish experts, a 2023 study visit by Thai wood industry leaders to Sweden’s forest innovation ecosystem, and the ongoing joint R&D project on timber-based construction in Thailand. This visit to Phrae marks another milestone — linking the world to Thailand, and Thailand to the world — with Phrae serving as a model city for wood-based development. The event also promoted the concept “Cut trees, gain forests – Plant wood, transform cities” to expand sustainable forest management and create livelihoods across Northern Thailand while preserving the Thai forestry spirit for future generations.

Mr. Per Linnér, Deputy Head of Mission of Sweden to Thailand, added that forestry is key to tackling climate change and driving the green economy. Sweden has set a target for 50% of new buildings to be constructed with wood by 2030 and is ready to share technology and expertise with Thailand for a sustainable future together.

Mr. Kunakorn Kachahirun, Deputy Governor of Phrae Province, stated:
 “Phrae has a small dream that is moving toward a big goal, to become a wood city, a city of learning, and a hub for the wood industry.”

Thailand-Sweden forestry cooperation has deep roots since the reign of King Rama V, and this seminar reflects the strong partnership across all sectors toward shared goals. Phrae is now considering including the concept of a “Sustainable Wood City” in its Provincial Strategic Plan (2028–2032), along with mechanisms for collaboration among government, private sector, academia, and local communities, aiming to establish Phrae as Thailand’s model sustainable wood city and a center for wood-based innovation economy.

📌 Event details: https://tniu-rte.org/2025/08/05/sdf2025/
 🎥 Watch replays:

• LIVE: 15 Aug (Morning) https://www.facebook.com/share/v/14JZa8vLX5e/
• LIVE: 15 Aug (Afternoon) https://www.facebook.com/share/v/1AXgUi9fzQ/
• LIVE: 15 Aug (Opening Wood Life Sweden Exhibition) https://www.facebook.com/share/v/1CHTNofrbP/
• LIVE: 16 Aug (Morning) https://www.facebook.com/share/v/173c9JCi1k/
• LIVE: 16 Aug (Afternoon) https://www.facebook.com/share/v/166kKYC5ep/

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