A City That Protects Nature Protects Its People: Vichai Bandasak

Vichai Bandasak doesn’t just run Pak Kret; he is deeply rooted in it. Growing up in the city he now leads gave him an instinct for the challenges his neighbours face. As Mayor, he looks beyond temporary fixes to tackle the real issues affecting public health and community well-being, directing the city's budget toward critical infrastructure like waste management and modern water treatment.

To turn this vision into reality, the city partnered with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP). By adopting the Biodiversity Finance Initiative (BIOFIN) model, Pak Kret rethought how it spends public funds, proving that budgeting for the environment delivers real results. This approach successfully revived over 60 rare native varieties of Nonthaburi durian and expanded green spaces across the urban landscape.

This success earned Pak Kret the ASEAN Environmentally Sustainable City Award on behalf of Thailand. But for Mayor Vichai, the focus remains on the future. He is transforming local parks into outdoor learning centres, ensuring the city’s youth learn to protect the environment they will inherit.

“A city that protects nature,” Mayor Vichai says, “is a city that safeguards the health and future of its people.”