Bangkok Climate Action Week Panel Examines Doughnut Economics Model
Media company Tempo participated in Bangkok Climate Action Week 2026 by hosting a series of panel discussions at Chulalongkorn University on Tuesday, October 6, 2026, Tempo.co reported. The panels formed part of a regional climate gathering featuring more than 300 scheduled events running from October 3 through October 11.
Tempo collaborated with Chulalongkorn University’s Knowledge Hub for Regional Anti-corruption and Good Governance Collaboration (KRAC) alongside civil society organizations Trend Asia, Auriga Nusantara, and Celios for the sessions. Torplus Yomnak, an associate professor at Chulalongkorn University’s Faculty of Economics, opened the program with a presentation challenging traditional definitions of development and prosperity in light of current ecological crises.
Challenging Traditional Economic Growth Models
Xiaoting Hou-Jones from the Doughnut Economics Action Lab (DEAL) addressed transboundary smog issues during her presentation. She questioned why governments and corporations delay decisive action against persistent environmental degradation. The Doughnut Economy model illustrates the heavy toll of contemporary economic policies on ecological health and social equity, according to Hou-Jones.
A subsequent panel explored this required mindset shift further. Alongside Hou-Jones on stage, Kynan Tegar—a filmmaker, environmental activist, and Dayak Iban Indigenous community member—participated in conversations about alternative economic systems alongside Bhima Yudhistira of Celios and Aidy Halimanjaya of Just Transition.ID.
Regional Journalists Report on Environmental Human Toll
A separate session convened media representatives from across the region to present field reporting and investigative findings regarding rapid economic development. The outlets taking part in the discussions were Indonesia’s Tempo, Bangladesh’s CMPO, East Timor’s ABC Timor Leste, Malaysia’s Malaysiakini, the Philippines’ Rappler, and Thailand’s Bangkok Tribune. The journalists detailed the human and environmental costs associated with current industrial expansion models.
Panelists Discuss Grassroots Strategies to Counter Environmental Challenges
The closing panel focused on policy measures and grassroots strategies designed to counter systemic environmental challenges. Timer Manurung of Auriga Nusantara, Akino M. Tahir of Just Transition.ID, Amalya Reza of Trend Asia, and Wasana Chokchiwa of EarthRights International Thailand spoke during this final discussion block.
Tempo Digital CEO Wahyu Dhyatmika delivered the closing remarks, emphasizing the significance of exploring alternative economic systems. He noted that implementing these concepts requires substantial courage and mindset changes to protect the planet. Wahyu called for regional collaboration to ensure sustainable planetary futures alongside equitable economic prosperity distribution.
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