GEMBA TBS

Ban Phai Community Waste Management Learning Center, Rayong
On 18 September 2026 our GEMBA 14 batch visited the Ban Phai Community Waste Management Learning Center in Rayong Province. The visit was a chance for our group to link classroom study with a real community‑based business model.
During the visit we learned about how Ban Phai grew from a "Waste Bank" into a community waste management and learning center. Ban Phai began by encouraging people to collect recyclable waste and over time Ban Phai developed a system that covers waste collection, sorting, recycling, upcycling and community enterprise activities.
One thing that stood out to our group was how Ban Phai has created value from waste. We saw Ban Phai products made from recycled materials, such as cushions, bags, decorations and handicrafts. The TAYLA products showed how Ban Phai can transform waste materials into items through creativity and design.
We also found Ban Phai’s development journey interesting. The Ban Phai center has worked with partners, such as the private sector and universities while gradually building Ban Phai’s own knowledge, capacity and experience. This showed us that community‑based businesses can grow through a mix of ownership, partnerships, leadership and continuous learning.
From a management view the visit helped us see how operations management, sustainability, innovation, supply chains, social enterprise, marketing and value creation are all linked. Waste collection, sorting, processing, product development, marketing and sales are not steps; they are part of one connected value chain.
At the time our group saw some areas where Ban Phai’s business model could be strengthened. In particular Ban Phai product design and market positioning could be better adapted to changing customer needs. Creative social media content and interactive digital marketing could also help raise Ban Phai product visibility and reach new customer groups.
The field trip also gave us a chance to learn directly from Ban Phai community members and to share ideas with our classmates. Seeing Ban Phai’s real operations helped us see that sustainability is not an environmental issue. It can also create business opportunities, jobs, community income and social value.
Overall our group found the field trip informative and inspiring. Ban Phai showed how a local community can slowly turn a waste management challenge into a chance, for economic, environmental and social value creation. At the time it reminded us that keeping a community‑based business alive requires Ban Phai to keep adapting to changing markets customer needs, technology and consumer behavior.

Written by: Thurein Lwin, GEMBA Batch 14
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What does sustainable development actually look like inside one of Thailand's leading energy companies? On 18 September, GEMBA Batch 14 students found out firsthand during a field visit to in Rayong.
The day began with a warm welcome from Khun Monnasit Khawprasert, Division Manager of Corporate Communication and Public Affairs, setting the stage for a deep dive into corporate sustainability strategy.
From there, Khun Pakorn Polsena, Sustainability and Climate Change Management Manager, and Khun Kamonchanok Wangvittaya, Assistant Sustainability Management Manager, walked students through GPSC's sustainability approach, including how the company's strategy aligns with the Paris Agreement and currently supports 7 of the UN's 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
One insight that resonated with Global Executive MBA students: sustainability at GPSC isn't confined to environmental metrics. It reaches into the community and into the company's own workforce with employees at every level playing a role in driving sustainable practices forward.
The visit to Rayong was a powerful reminder that sustainable development isn't an abstract goal. It's built through deliberate strategy, community involvement, and everyday decisions across an entire organization.
Written by: Yan Paing Oo, GEMBA Batch 14

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