Content Creators Empower Change: Tackling Energy Challenges Through Storytelling

15 January 2025, Bangkok – The grand prize at the Content Creator Workshop: Synergy for Clean Energy was awarded to the project “The Sun Belongs to Everyone, but Who Owns Solar Energy?” The winning team will further develop their content in collaboration with The Active and Policy Watch by Thai PBS.

The awards ceremony, held at the Thai PBS studio, marked the culmination of a workshop jointly organized by the Social Agenda and Public Policy Media Center of Thai Public Broadcasting Service (Thai PBS), the Energy Research Institute of Chulalongkorn University, the Thailand Development Research Institute (TDRI), under the project Clean, Affordable, and Secure Energy for Southeast Asia (CASE).

Held on 16–17 November 2024, the workshop brought together six teams totaling 18 participants, made up of content creators, journalists, activists, students, and energy enthusiasts. Participants collaborated to enhance their communication skills, develop strategies, and create impactful content under the guidance of professional journalists from The Active and Policy Watch.

The winning project, “The Sun Belongs to Everyone, but Who Owns Solar Energy?” by Ms. Sudarat Bumrungsaksilp, Ms. Suphintra Saeng-arun, and Ms. Atitaya Permpon, received a development grant of 15,000 THB. The article delves into the challenges of equitable access to solar power in Thailand, highlighting barriers such as installation costs and proposing solutions to make clean energy accessible to all.

Two runner-up prizes, each receiving a development grant of 10,000 THB, were awarded to:

•  “Thailand’s Electricity Security: Why Are Power Bills So Expensive?” by Ms. Gorya Srisawat, Mr. Worathep Poonsawat, and Ms. Wimon Siri Kongpientham.

•  “Nuclear 2037: Fear or Future? Exploring SMRs to Unlock the Nation’s Energy Crisis” by Mr. Natthaphon Jarknan, Mr. Wachirawit Phuttachai, Mr. Korn Mark Don Gabriel, and Mr. Thitisut Phujitkanon.

Selected projects, including the winning entries, will be further developed with editorial teams at The Active and Policy Watch for publication on their platforms.

Ms. Sudarat Bumrungsaksilp, representing the winning team, expressed the team’s commitment to raising public awareness about clean energy equity:

“Although solar energy appears accessible, installation barriers prevent many households from benefiting. Our project explores these challenges and offers solutions to improve access to clean energy for all Thais. Advancing clean energy requires collective action for meaningful social change.”

The Content Creator Workshop: Synergy for Clean Energy aimed to foster effective communication and public understanding of energy issues. Addressing the complex and interdisciplinary nature of energy and electricity topics requires clear, precise, and accessible information. By equipping participants with the tools to communicate effectively, the workshop contributes to advancing public awareness and driving progress in Thailand’s energy transition.