Web3 City and Metaverse Event

“The Government supports creation of a Web3 Ecosystem at the ‘Chiangmai Web3 City and Metaverse’ event, pinning Chiangmai as the place to advance study on Sandbox Crypto City in Thailand.”

The Ministry of Digital Economy and Society and the Program Management Unit on Area Based Development (PMU A), under the Ministry of Higher Education, Science, Research and Innovation, in collaboration with the Chiangmai Crypto City Working Group, organized the ‘Chiangmai Web3 City and Metaverse’ event to shine a spotlight in search of Unicorns during 29–30 June 2022 at the Science and Technology Park, Chiangmai University, Mae Hia Subdistrict Municipality. The event advanced the following three objectives:

1. To build cooperation at both the public and private sector levels on use of Web 3.0 technology and blockchain for urban development,

2. To promote Thai Web3 Startups at the global level by pitching and networking with venture capital, and

3. To create knowledge and understanding for the public sector on Web 3.0 and blockchain technology.

Mr. Chaiwut Thanakmanusorn, Minister of Digital Economy and Society, together with Dr. Kitti Sajjawattana, Director of the Program Management Unit on Area Based Development (PMU A), opened the ‘Chiangmai Web3 City and Metaverse’ event at the Science and Technology Park, Chiang Mai University. Mr. Thanakmanusorn joined a panel discussion on the topic of advancing digital startups and urban development towards smart cities, together with Mr. Wichai Thongtang and 5 new generations of Startups, namely Mr. Hansthorn Srisuk (Khun Satang), Project Manager of Chiangmai Crypto City, Mr. Pongwut Praipaisalkit (Khun Woody), CEO of Multiverse Expert Co., Mr. Matichon Manikat (Khun K), Co-founder of Easy Rice, Ms. Pitchayapa Siriratana (Khun Gift), Smart City Ambassador of the Digital Economy Promotion Agency (DEPA), and Mr. Kantapat Leung Charoenwattana, CEO of Pyramid Solutions, Co. Ltd.

After the discussion, Mr. Praipaisarnkit served as representative of startups across the country by submitting a letter to Mr. Thanakmanusorn which contained the following key message, that “Today, we will join together startups in Thailand”. Thereafter, the Minister of Digital Economy and Society joined for a photo shoot together with the various startups and other colleagues.

The Chiangmai Crypto City team, led by Dr. Kiattisak Wongvorachat (Mor Pan), Strategy Leader, and Mr. Hansatorn Srisuk (Khun Satang), Project Manager, shared their experience in joining the Point Zero Forum, an event that brought together Web 3.0 leaders from around the world, and where Chiangmai Crypto City represented Thailand. The main themes of the various presentations centered around the city of Zug, which is a prototype of Crypto Valley, which has had the ability to generate more than $600 billion in local capital by promoting public policy and private sector cooperation in the area. Moreover, there was talk of cooperation with international countries to drive future growth of the blockchain and Web 3.0 industry.

One of the key aims of this ‘Chiangmai Web3 City and Metaverse’ event was the pitching of startups, with a total of 17 startup teams participating, with both Thai and foreign venture capital joining as commentators, led by Mr. Wichai Thongtang, a major investor nicknamed the Godfather of startups, Khun Nawarat Thamsuwadee, Chief Executive Officer of Bitkub Venture, Khun Piyaphan Wongyara, CEO of Stock2morrow, Khun Wisit Yindeesiriwong, CEO of Bitkub Capital Group Holding Company, Ajarn Prin Sukreekhet, Director of Finn College, and Mr. Wirarot Teeikasem, OKX. In this pitching exercise, there were many interesting projects, each of which had their own strengths, and at which the commentator shot a number of challenging questions. There were also many useful tips for the future development of these startups.

In the afternoon of 29 June 2022, Mr. Praipaisalkit represented startups across the country, and a team of representatives from the Chiangmai Crypto City Group traveled to meet with Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha and the Cabinet at Wat Weruwan School to exchange views and to raise the important issue of government support for startup groups, which was something expressed by the startups themselves. They discussed the possibility of supporting the creation of a new economic group with blockchain technology and requested support for the creation of a Sandbox in Mae Hia area, Chiang Mai Province into a Digital Valley. The Prime Minister spoke about the possibility that the government would support such an effort and instructed Mr. Thanakmanusorn, Minister of Digital Economy and Society to advance efforts on this front. The seminar proceeded in a relaxed and affable manner.

In ​​Mae Hia Municipality, Mueang District, Chiang Mai Province, the Prime Minister witnessed the implementation of the Government’s digital policy by the Mae Hia Municipality, which is a model local government organization certified as a Smart City Promotion Zone by the Digital Economy Promotion Agency (DEPA), targeted to become a Smart City Zone that promotes the use of digital technology to advance people’s participation in city management. Mr. Thanawat Yodjai, Mayor of Mae Hia, presented a report on this topic.

In addition, the event also included the presentation of a research project that arose from cooperation between Mae Hia Municipality and the Program Management Unit on area Based Development (PMU A) under the name “Study Project on the Working Mechanisms of Creating Crypto Cities in Thailand in the pilot areas of Chiang Mai Province, Rayong Province and Khon Kaen Province”. Dr. Sittichai Luengkittikong, the project leader on research and representative from the Chiang Mai area, Ms. Noppakhun Fongthong and Mr. Phusit Chaicham, representatives from the Khon Kaen and Rayong areas, respectively, presented the project. There was also a joint research presentation by joint research units, such as Chiangmai Crypto City (CCC) which, through Mr. Praiphaisalkit, Head of the Metaverse Division, presented the CCC Metaverse Virtual World through his research connecting the virtual world together with the 3 cities. Mr. Sathien Boonmanan, Head of the Virtual Experience Division, presented the creation of the VR Experience with the use of VR glasses, so that the Prime Minister and his team were able to experience entering the virtual world.

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