2025 EcoGreen Summit - Bangkok

I’m taking a brief pause from my island explorations to share a slightly different kind of update. Recently, I attended two presentations at the Bangkok Convention Center that ran in parallel with the 2025 EcoGreen Summit. For those who aren’t familiar, the EcoGreen Summit brings together innovators, entrepreneurs, and policymakers from across Asia to showcase cutting-edge solutions for waste management, sustainability, and environmental challenges. It’s a serious gathering of minds tackling some of the most pressing issues of our time.

What struck me first was the sheer level of innovation happening in several South Asian countries to combat waste and pollution. From inventive recycling methods to high-tech solutions for reducing environmental impact, the creativity on display was impressive. Equally striking were the examples shared from China; images of elite infrastructure and sophisticated waste-handling systems left me both inspired and a little awed at the scale and precision of their efforts.

Another detail that caught my attention wasn’t in a presentation but in everyday life. I noticed people leaving their belongings: bags, purses, even electronics on the ground to mark their place in line while they stepped away to a café or restaurant. Moments like this remind me how safe and polite Thai society really is.

I had pictured the convention as more of a science fair, full of hands-on demos and experiments, but it was mostly lecture-style presentations. Even so, the content was equally fascinating, and I felt honored to be included and witness the knowledge being shared.

While in Bangkok, I also had the chance to reconnect with a couple of travelers I initially met in Phuket. Hearing about their plans and ambitions was genuinely inspiring. It reminded me of why I travel and how new perspectives can spark fresh ideas. I have a few possibilities in the works, and I think change might be in the air.