Issue04 : 26 May 2014

Horizon Thailand sits down and chats with Pipat “Top” Apirakthanakorn, an actor-turns-designer and leader of Eco Design Thai Thai group.

What is Eco Design Thai Thai?
A group of Thai-designed products which are also eco-friendly. When we started the group last year, we aim to concern about 5 things - urban, design, lifestyle, eco-friendly, and must be of Thai origin, meaning the brands who want to join must have Thai designers or are owned by Thais. We don’t specify that material must come from Thai sources. It might be too hard to prove so. 

Why do you start the group Eco Design Thai Thai?
I worked in eco-product industry since 2006. Then I opened an eco-friendly product shop and saw how beneficial it is to gather many eco-products from manufacturers together. I saw developments - both Thai and foreign customers and Thai designers. The products were getting better and more varied. I thought a clear integration between designers would be more beneficial than a shop.

How many brands are in Eco Design Thai Thai?
About 30 brands.

What are the benefits from the integration of Eco Design Thai Thai?
Obviously, we get sponsored by the DITP. A group that isn’t dispersed is easily recognized. We’ve been exchanging ideas and working with each other. We are trying to establish an official association. I think when we become an association, collaborating would be more serious.

Do you receive any assistance from DITP?
DITP helps us by showcasing our products. We’ve been featured in expos such as TIFF (Thailand International Furniture Fair) 2014, BIG+BIH (Bangkok International Gift Fair & Bangkok International Houseware Fair) 2014, and in the future, Baan Lae Suan Fair 2014.

You said “Eco-friendly products need understanding more than other products.” What do consumers need to understand the most?
Stories. [People] decide to buy products based on form, function, or price. But for Eco-friendly products, another important factor is how this item is eco-friendly. Some products might be created from scrap material. Some reduce the amount of material used. Some employ greener logistics. Some have functions that are good for the environment. Or some pieces might actually be leftovers from other pieces. If we don’t know the stories behind eco-products, we might not realize why they’re different from other products.

What do you think is a Thai design?
I think it is instinct. Like music, if it has some quality such as accent or some kind of aura, even if it’s pop we still know that it is of Thai origin. As a Thai, I think Thainess is something that is shown unintentionally - like the war we are influenced by Lai Kanok (traditional Thai motif). We are also more comfortable to work with our hands more than with technologies. Even when we use technologies, the design usually employs little chaotic colours.

What do you think about the future of Thai eco-friendly products?
I see many opportunities. More customers are buying greener products. Big, private companies are now employing them as premium gifts. Or when there’s a plan for new factory, people now seek for eco-designers and architects. Also, it helps with EU’s and Japan’s standards.