BLOCK 28: Start-up District Suan Luang-Samyan Area Restoration Project

Policy and Operation

BLOCK 28 is part of Chulalongkorn University’s property portfolio, located in the Suan Luang-Samyan Area. It used to house several old and dilapidated shophouses which had been abandoned for years. The university started a redevelopment and restoration project to meet the needs of today. The entire space was given a new look with a modernized, attractive landscape with safety in mind. It has now become a new neighborhood for creative start-ups (a.k.a. Startup District) with a catchy name: ‘BLOCK 28’.

BLOCK 28 “CREATIVE & STARTUP VILLAGE” was conceptualized as a ‘sandbox’ project to connect all lifestyles of creative people and is a community that promotes innovation and business links to build a vibrant startup ecosystem. It is designed to attract successful startups from different sectors now driving Thailand’s development, such as the medical, financial, and education sectors. The TusPark WHA, a science and technology incubation center, was set up to support the start-ups. The co-working space is provided for the new generation of workers who want flexible working, as well as Chula students and staff and those who live or work nearby.

In addition, the project supports growth of creative start-ups in various sectors whose founders started their enterprises from their university years and are now moving outside the campus to the community. BLOCK 28 start-up district offers an environment for them to exchange and discuss their business ideas, creating a vibrant environment for new restaurants, shops, and services which will further entice more businesses to settle in the community.