Meliá Chiang Mai’s executive chef Suksant Chutinthratip, known as Chef Billy, has been lauded with the prestigious Chiang Mai Green Kitchen “Green People” Award for his pioneering work building a more sustainable food system.
Meliá Chiang Mai’s restaurants Laan Ha Kitchen and MAI Restaurant and Bar have also each been awarded the prestigious “Chiang Mai Green Kitchen” certificate the fourth consecutive year for ongoing sustainability efforts as part of Thailand’s Green Kitchen project. Supported by the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) and the Thai Health Promotion Foundation, Green Kitchen 2026 promotes organic and sustainable food concepts with participation from 44 restaurants and hotels in Chiang Mai. Chef Billy was recognised for his leadership championing a more sustainable and resilient food system by working closely with farmers, chefs, educators and the wider community.
He helps local farmers co-design crop calendars better aligned with seasonal cycles and kitchen demand. These efforts reduce production risks, as well as support food security and income stability for farmers. He advises farmers in food business planning and marketing to allow them to transition from raw material producers to “food system entrepreneurs” with a stronger understanding of costs, value creation and market demand.
Chef Billy also promotes youth engagement through the “Young Chefs” program that encourages university students to learn about organic vegetables, food origins and environmental responsibility. “I’m humbled to receive this award and be named alongside the other recipient of the Green People award, Thida Woranet from Rimping Supermarket,” Chef Billy said.
“While my name is on the award, it recognises our hotel’s management and culinary team, and local farmers and producers who have all played a crucial role in developing a more responsible food system.” Meliá Hotels & Resorts is the best-known international brand in the portfolio of the Meliá Hotels International company; it has more than 100 city and resort hotels in the main leisure and business destinations of Europe, Asia, Africa and America. The brand offers exemplary meetings and events facilities in all important business cities as well as in exotic locations, catering to the ever-expanding conference and incentive travel market.
As part of its innovation philosophy and new positioning, Meliá Hotels & Resorts has reinvented itself to cater to every aspect of the guests’ wellbeing. Unique experiences are created for guests and are defined by relaxation, quality time and personalised services. For a balanced lifestyle, Meliá Hotels & Resorts instinctively understands the guests’ needs and lifestyle expectations, which is an integral part of its redefined identity. Founded in 1956 in Mallorca (Spain), Meliá Hotels International operates more than 380 hotels (portfolio and pipeline) throughout more than 40 countries, under the brands Gran Meliá Hotels & Resorts, Paradisus by Meliá, ME by Meliá, Meliá Hotels & Resorts, The Meliá Collection, INNSiDE by Meliá, Sol by Meliá, and Falcon’s Resorts by Meliá, plus a wide portfolio of affiliated hotels under the “Affiliated by Meliá” network.
The Group is one of the leading companies in resort hotels worldwide, while also leveraging its experience to consolidate the growing segment of the leisure-inspired urban market. Its commitment to responsible tourism has led the Group to become the most sustainable hotel company in Spain and Europe, according to the last S&P Global Corporate Sustainability Assessment (Silver Class). It also has ranked seventh in the Wall Street Journal's list of the 100 most sustainably managed companies in the world (and the leading travel company) and is the only Spanish travel company included in the list of “Europe’s Climate Leaders 2021” by Financial Times. Meliá Hotels International is also included in the IBEX 35 Spanish stock market.
Asset World Corp Public Company Limited is a holding company under TCC Group operating leading integrated lifestyle property development in Thailand. The company has two main businesses consisting of the Hospitality business managed by top hotel executives of world-renowned hotel brands such as Marriott, The Luxury Collection, Okura, Banyan Tree, Hilton, and Sheraton and Retail, Wholesale and Commercial properties whose projects include 1) Retail and Wholesale including lifestyle travel destinations, community shopping malls, community markets, and wholesale business real estate. Popular real estate projects consist of ASIATIQUE the Riverfront Destination, Gateway at Bangsue, AEC Trade Center – Pantip Wholesale Destination, and Tawanna Bangkapi and 2) Commercial buildings including the famous Empire Tower and Athenee Tower located in Bangkok’s central business district.