Advancing the “Pride Supply Thailand: Creative & Inclusive SME Ecosystem” Project Towards Sustainability in Alignment with the SDGs
The School of Business and Communication Arts (BCA), University of Phayao, is advancing strategic collaboration to strengthen the grassroots economy. On 22 September 2026, Assistant Professor Dr. Tanyatip Kharuhayothin, Dean of the School of Business and Communication Arts, together with Dr. Piyapong Supanyo, Deputy Dean for Research and Innovation and Network Development, welcomed Mr. Piya Boonpitak, Deputy Director of the SME One-Stop Service Center Division, and the executive team from the Office of Small and Medium Enterprises Promotion (OSMEP) at the BCA meeting room, University of Phayao.
On this occasion, Dr. Luethaipat Primonsree, Project Leader, Ms. Yujaret Somana, and the project team presented the implementation plan for the “Pride Supply Thailand: Creative & Inclusive SME Ecosystem” project. The project aims to develop an open and inclusive creative business ecosystem that strengthens the potential of LGBTQ+ entrepreneurs and their business networks in the tourism industry, enabling them to grow robustly and sustainably.
The project places the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) at the core of its implementation through the integration of three key dimensions:
· Building an Equal Society and Reducing Inequalities (SDG 5 & SDG 10): Promoting inclusive economic participation and supporting LGBTQ+ entrepreneurs in gaining free and equitable access to resources, knowledge, and business opportunities.
· Advancing the Creative Economy and Supply Chain Innovation (SDG 8 & SDG 9): Connecting tourism supply chains and distinctive products from all five regions of Thailand, leveraging local identities and cultural capital to create added value and enhance the competitiveness of Thai SMEs in both domestic and international markets.
· Strengthening Partnerships for Sustainable Development (SDG 17): Building collaborative networks among educational institutions and the public sector, particularly OSMEP, to serve as a mechanism for comprehensive, area-based SME promotion.
The discussion marks an important step in combining academic expertise with government support mechanisms to jointly advance Thai SMEs towards more effective growth, greater resilience, and sustainable readiness to enter global markets.