The Motivation Behind Starting Our Foundation

By Taka

15 years ago in Bangkok, Thailand, almost all the cars running on the streets were affordable Japanese cars. These days it is unsurprising to see many luxury cars exclusively parked in a row at shopping malls or driven on bumpy roads at full speed. Now, this vibrant city boasts a skyline filled with skyscrapers, and numerous construction projects are in progress, contributing to its dynamic growth. From a sustainability perspective, however, the repercussions of this rapid growth are not fully understood. Thai infrastructure is still fragile and it is challenging to apply a business mindset to environmental issues in part due to relatively lenient regulations. Through observing this reality, I have determined it seems naive at best and dangerous at worst to believe that environmentalists can completely turn the tide of business practices in the near future. 

My academic background includes studying Oil and Gas management in Scotland, and I have gained experience working in the steel and construction machinery industries in Asia. Despite the perception of these industries as dirty businesses, I am content with my career path. It has allowed me to gain practical and comprehensive understanding of the mechanisms of the business world and to appreciate that many people working in these industries are not as negatively portrayed by some environmentalists. While Southeast Asian countries are developing significantly, a plethora of people still have limited options to pursue their ideal career path in order to sustain their daily lives.

I will take the necessary actions in Bangkok, considering the diverse situations and perspectives in different countries to effectively address the human-caused crisis.