PRESS RELEASE – For immediate release Chiang Mai, 2

PRESS RELEASE – For immediate release
Chiang Mai, 2 September 2014
Chiang Mai organizes another big TEDx event “TEDxChiangMai 2014”
“TEDxChiangMai 2014”, an international creativity and idea forum, will be held at the Le Méridien
Chiang Mai on 27 September 2014. Now in its fourth year, the theme of this year’s event is “Creating
Connections”. Based on the massively popular TED event and TED talks concept (www.ted.com), it
will be one of the biggest creativity and idea events in Thailand with over 20 Thai and international
speakers and artists. Website: www.tedxchiangmai.com
Sometimes likened to a “spa treatment for the brain and soul”, a TEDx event is a creativity and idea
forum mixed with entertainment, workshops and other interactive activities to help people connect
and put ideas into action. TEDx events have become a global phenomenon with events in cities such
as Sydney, Singapore, Taiwan, Shanghai and Berlin attracting hundreds, sometimes thousands, of
audience members (TEDxKL 2014 in Kuala Lumpur had 2500 people).TEDx events are independently
organized TED style events under license from TED (www.ted.com).
The theme for TEDxChiangMai 2014 is “Creating Connections”. In addition to speakers from Chiang
Mai, the rest of Thailand and beyond, the event will include a range of activities and will be a launch
pad for new initiatives. One of the initiatives that we will be announcing is a TEDxChiangMai YOUTH
event, which will focus on providing an example for TEDx events organized by students, schools or
universities (TEDxYouth and TED ED). We will be using TEDxChiangMai 2014 as a launch pad for this
event and introduce some of the student speakers that we are working with. This TEDxYouth event is
planned for November 2014.
This year’s TEDx ChiangMai event includes stimulating talks on a wide range of topics such as human
trafficking, design, working effectively with local communities, creative tourism & arts festivals,
national competitiveness through innovation, film and storytelling, reconnecting our children with
nature, IT and business opportunities and many more. Even Thailand’s first astronaut will be coming
to the TEDx stage!
More images at: www.flickr.com/photos/tedxchiangmai/sets
TEDxChiangMai 2014’s many inspiring speakers include Khun Boom Bean, Christina Jordan, Haresh
Khoobchandani, Hossein Farmani, Joe Sidek, Kitikong (Kong) Tilokwattanotai, Luke Cassady-Dirion,
Ooi Geok Ling, Dr. Panuwan Chantawannakul, Patai Padungtin, Philip Jablon, Pirada (Mink) Techavijit,
Pitupong (Jack) Chaowakul, Piyapat Thanyakij, Ploypan (Ploy) Theerachai, Pok Kobkongsanti, Dr. Puey
Ounjai, Dr. Rungsrit (Mong) Kanjanavanit, Dr. Sakarindr Bhumiratana, Saowakhon (Yui Cello)
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Muangkruan, Somsak (Pai) Boonkam, Suthat Ronglong and Dr. Winita Punyodom. Simultaneous
translations to Thai or English will be provided via headsets.
The event is from 8.45 am to 6:30 pm on 27 September 2014 at Le Méridien Chiang Mai. Special
hotel room rates for visitors are available at this and selected partner hotels. For more information
visit www.tedxchiangmai.com. Tickets are available at www.amiando.com/tedxchiangmai2014 and
include access to the event, snacks, tea, coffee, drinks, gifts, an international buffet lunch, a printed
programme and a post-event reception with drinks and canapés. The number of available seats has
been increased to over 600 because last year the event sold out weeks in advance.
TEDxChiangMai, a not-for-profit event, is organized by volunteers and made possible through the
contributions from partners and sponsors. TEDxChiangMai still welcomes additional sponsors and
partners, including media partners. http://www.tedxchiangmai.com/sponsor.php
Contacts:
Jirawan Wongdokmai
Creative Chiang Mai Coordinator
Secretariat of Creative Chiang Mai
Science and Technology Park, Chiang Mai University (CMU STeP)
Tel: 08 8268 5369 Email: [email protected]
Piriya Kulganchanacheewin
TEDxChiangMai Event Coordinator
Tel: 08 1306 3775 Email: [email protected]
Martin Venzky-Stalling
TEDxChiangMai, License Holder and Curator
Member of Creative Chiang Mai Development Committee
Senior Advisor, Chiang Mai University Science & Technology Park (CMU STeP)
E-mail: [email protected]
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About TED
TED (Technology, Entertainment and Design) is a non-profit organization devoted to Ideas Worth
Spreading. Started as a four-day conference in California almost 30 years ago, TED has grown to support
its mission with multiple initiatives. The two annual TED Conferences invite the world's leading thinkers
and doers to speak for 18 minutes on a diverse mix of topics. Many of these talks are then made available,
free, at TED.com. TED speakers have included Bill Gates, Jane Goodall, Elizabeth Gilbert, Sir Richard
Branson, Nandan Nilekani, Philippe Starck, Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, Isabel Allende and former UK Prime
Minister Gordon Brown. The TED2014 Conference took place in Vancouver, British Columbia, along with
the TEDActive simulcast in neighboring Whistler. TEDGlobal 2014 will be held in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
TED's media initiatives include TED.com, where new TED Talks are posted daily; the Open Translation
Project, which provides subtitles and interactive transcripts as well as translations from volunteers
worldwide; the educational initiative TED-Ed; and TEDBooks, short e-books on powerful ideas. TED has
established the annual TED Prize, where exceptional individuals with a wish to change the world get help
translating their wishes into action; TEDx, which supports individuals or groups in hosting local, selforganized TED-style events around the world; and the TED Fellows program, helping world-changing
innovators from around the globe to amplify the impact of their remarkable projects and activities.
Follow TED on Twitter at www.twitter.com/TEDTalks, or on Facebook at www.facebook.com/TED
For information about TED's upcoming conferences, visit www.ted.com/registration
About TEDx
In the spirit of ideas worth spreading, TEDx is a program of local, self-organized events that bring people
together to share a TED-like experience. At a TEDx event, TEDTalks video and live speakers combine to
spark deep discussion and connection in a small group. These local, self-organized events are branded
TEDx, where x = independently organized TED event. The TED Conference provides general guidance for
the TEDx program, but individual TEDx events are self-organized. (Subject to certain rules and
regulations.) Please follow this link to watch the “About TEDx” Video http://youtu.be/_kEXNJ9sfc0
Thai speakers at previous TEDx events have included those mentioned already as well as Dr. Khunying
Kalaya Sophonpanich, Khun Mechai Viravaidya, Khun Aprirak Kosayodhin, Khun Suphachai Chearavanont,
furniture designer Khun Eggarat Wongcharit, Dr Arnant Sipitakiat from CMU (MIT Graduate, Lecturer at
CMU), Khun Prasert Eamrungroj (Black Sheep, Brand Connections), Dr. Weerapong Prasongchean
(STEMKids), Jon Jandai (Pun Pun Organics), Khun Sorakon Adulyanon (Matichon), Zcongklod Bangyikhan
(a day magazine), other researchers from universities, entrepreneurs, technologists, designers, artists and
journalists.
TEDxChiangMai will provide a local and global platform in the spirit of TED’s “Ideas Worth Spreading”. In
local scope it will further develop Chiang Mai’s creative economy and support the Chiang Mai Creative
initiative. Taking things to a global level, the event will be broadcast live on the Internet, and all talks will
be recorded at high-quality and uploaded to TEDx’s YouTube channel, which has attracted over 80 million
viewers in the past 4 years. TEDxChiangMai 2013 talks on youtube: http://bit.ly/1e9MzE7
www.tedxchiangmai.com
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