Responsible Thailand Awards: 2022 winners
See the winners of the 2022 Responsible Thailand Awards...
Each year, the Responsible Thailand Awards take place to shine a light on the organisations and companies that have gone above and beyond to contribute to the sustainability of Thailand.
This year, the competition was as tough as ever, but with the help of our expert judges, we got it down to six well-deserving winners. Put your hands together for the 2022 Responsible Thailand Award winners…
Animal Welfare
Winner: Elephant Nature Park
Elephant Nature Park provides a safe haven for more than 100 rescued elephants and is the first elephant sanctuary of its kind established in Thailand. Many of the elephants living at the sanctuary have been rescued from street begging, elephant riding, and shows, where they often sustained both physical and psychological injuries. The park’s herds include blind, crippled, orphaned, and ‘senior’ elephants, who are now free to live a peaceful life in natural surroundings, where they are loved and respected. In addition, ENP supports the local community by creating jobs and purchasing locally grown produce.
Judges’ Comments
“Apart from all the usual elephant activities they also do rainforest restoration, have educational programmes, they set up Eleflix during the pandemic, they have 4 vets on site, they have their Elephant Food Bank, they have their Farm to Herd initiative, and they set up their Jumbo Express mobile clinic. A clear winner!”
Runner-Up – Kindred Spirit Elephant Sanctuary
Community Based Tourism
Winner: Laem Sak Tourism Community Enterprise
Laem Sak Tourism Community Enterprise consists of 400 members within the Laem Sak sub-district of Krabi province, who live in 10 different villages. Laem Sak Tourism Community Enterprise's objectives are to protect the marine and coastal resources in the Ao Luk area, to promote community tourism as a tool for local development in this multi-cultural community, and to provide local tourism services and foster cultural exchange. LCTE actively engages the youth and locals to operate tours in the Ao Luk area and to increase income for the fishing families and farmers.
Judges’ comments
“Just what community tourism should be about and with positive results: 12 micro-enterprises directly benefiting from community tourism, 400 community members positively impacted directly and more than 1000 travellers visiting the community."
Runner-Up – Mae Hong Son CBT Network
Eco Lodge
Winner: The Tongsai Bay
The Tongsai Bay was the first five-star luxury hotel to be built on the island of Koh Samui. Since it was established in 1987, The Tongsai Bay continues to underscore its commitment to the environment. The Tongsai Bay has won many awards for its ability to implement innovative environmental practices.
Judges’ comments
“An impressive Green Policy which encompasses so many aspects of sustainability. And we love the way guests are informed and educated on the issues, helping them to make the right choices.”
Hotel
Winner: The Sarojin
The Sarojin is a luxury boutique residence located in Khao Lak. Well-known for its luxury offering, impeccable service, fine dining, ‘Just for Two’ experiences and community involvement, The Sarojin also operates a number of sustainable and green initiatives to minimise the resort’s and guests’ impact on the environment.
Judges’ comments
"This hotel never rests on its laurels but constantly strives to improve its sustainability credentials as their newly launched “One Booking One Tree” initiative shows. Impressive."
Nature/Marine/Heritage
Winner: Big Blue Conservation
Big Blue Conservation is a marine conservation initiatitive on Koh Tao. As well as offering diving through its own diving school, it works with other dive businesses to ensure best practise around the island’s reefs, offers conservation courses, monitors reef systems, organises beach clean-ups and contributes to global marine research and works to protect the environment around Koh Tao.
Judges comments:
"From working in partnership with other businesses to offering a marine biologist for a week course, Big Blue ticks so many boxes – vital reef conservation of course, but also community involvement, education of locals and visitors alike, and important marine research."
Runner-Up: Paresa Resort, Phuket
Green steps
Winner: Gentle Giants
This NGO which has been sponsoring riding camp elephants during Covid-19 has a new initiative to rewild former captive riding camp elephants into native jungle by supporting the incomes of Karen hilltribe villagers (the people that rent them to the camps).
Judges comments
"They’re launching a remarkable new scheme – this potentially could be the next level up from rescuing elephants by actually semi-rewilding them in a way that benefits a marginalised community."
How the winners are picked
Earlier this year, we asked Wanderlust readers and the UK travel trade to nominate the Thailand-based organisations and resorts that they felt were most deserving of recognition for their green initiatives and tireless efforts to promote sustainable tourism. The criteria for judging included the sustainability of each of the projects and organisations, their demonstrable successes, and the legacy of benefits for both Thailand and international visitors.