Khanom Learning Center honored with “Sustainability Award” by TAT for its role as a key landmark in Nakhon Si Thammarat

Mr. Prasit Laohawirapap, Senior Executive Vice President - Business Development (Domestic) of EGCO Group, receives the Thailand Tourism Sustainability Award from HRH Princess Ubolratana at the 15^th Thailand Tourism Awards 2025 (Kinnaree Awards), organized by the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT). The award recognizes EGCO Group’s Khanom Learning Center in Khanom District, Nakhon Si Thammarat, for its outstanding commitment to sustainable tourism. The ceremony took place on 27 September 2025 at the Grand Hyatt Erawan Bangkok.

Khanom Learning Center, operated by EGCO Group, has been honored with the “Sustainability Award - Tourist Attractions” at the Thailand Tourism Awards 2025, organized by the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT). This special award, presented for the first time this year, recognizes a tourism operator that has demonstrated outstanding performance in sustainability and social responsibility, achieving a score of over 90% in the evaluation criteria. The award highlights Khanom Learning Center’s strength as a unique tourist destination that fosters creative learning in southern Thailand. It is the country’s first and only floating power plant transformed into a learning center, offering educational experiences about energy and electricity while exemplifying the harmonious coexistence between a power plant and its surrounding community.

Mr. Prasit Laohawirapap, EGCO Group’s Senior Executive Vice President - Business Development (Domestic), said, “EGCO Group has a vision to be a major sustainable Thai energy company with full commitment to environment protection and social development support. Guided by this vision, the company is dedicated to establishing Khanom Learning Center as a premier tourist destination that promotes sustainable energy knowledge and lifelong learning. The learning center aims to inspire youth development, nurturing future generations to become responsible citizens who value environmental sustainability and natural resource conservation. Khanom Learning Center regularly hosts educational initiatives, including the annual Science Week, which sparks interest in science, technology, and innovation among young people - particularly in Nakhon Si Thammarat and southern Thailand. The learning center also emphasizes community involvement by integrating local history, culture, and traditions with energy education. Beyond learning, the learning center plays a vital role in supporting the local economy by creating jobs and promoting community-based tourism.

To receive the “Sustainability Award”, Khanom Learning Center had to meet the standards of the STGs STAR assessment - a key tool used by the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) to strategically promote sustainable tourism. The learning center achieved the highest rating: 5 stars. The STGs STAR assessment covers four main areas: economy, society and community, environment, as well as management and operations. It encourages tourism operators to focus on sustainable development and helps strengthen Thailand’s image as a responsible and competitive global tourism destination.

Khanom Learning Center, located in Khanom District, Nakhon Si Thammarat, has been open since 2019. It was established on the site of Khanom Power Plant Unit 1, which, after ceasing commercial operations, gained historical significance as Thailand’s first and only floating power plant, housed on a massive vessel. The former power plant was transformed into an educational center that offers insights into energy and electricity generation, while also highlighting the harmonious coexistence between power plants, communities, and the environment. The learning center features seven permanent exhibition zones, covering zones such as the history of electricity, the power generation process, environmental conservation, and sustainable community living alongside energy infrastructure. With engaging presentation techniques that promote interactive and participatory learning, the learning center attracts an average of 15,000 visitors per year.

The Thailand Tourism Awards, organized by the TAT, have been held every two years since 1996. The awards aim to recognize and honor tourism businesses that consistently improve service quality and maintain excellence, helping to enhance Thailand’s competitiveness on the global stage. In its 15^th edition, the Thailand Tourism Awards 2025 granted a total of 151 outstanding operators. This year also marked the launch of the Thailand Tourism Sustainability Awards, presented to 69 tourism operators for outstanding sustainable management and strong commitment to social and environmental responsibility. Previously, Khanom Learning Center received a certificate in the Educational Tourist Destination category at the 14^th Thailand Tourism Awards.