On 4 September 2026, Mrs. Pimpiree Maneeratana, Deputy Director-General of the Department of International Organizations, delivered opening remarks and participated in a volunteer activity at Wat Chak Daeng, Bang Krachao Community, Samut Prakan Province. The activity was organized by the Department of International Organizations on the occasion of the International Year of Volunteers for Sustainable Development (IVY 2026) and Thailand Volunteer Year for Sustainable Development.

The activity aimed to raise environmental awareness through volunteering and collective action, as well as to showcase a Thai community’s good practices in sustainable waste management. Representatives from over 20 diplomatic missions and 5 international organizations took part in the activity.

The participants learned about Wat Chak Daeng’s approaches to waste management as well as the recycling and repurposing of discarded materials. They also took part in hands-on volunteer activities, including making trash booms from PET bottles and making bricks from plastic and styrofoam waste. The products will subsequently be put to use in the Bang Krachao Community and neighbouring communities. The activity served as a good reflection of the power of volunteerism and collective efforts by individuals in advancing sustainable development.