Nimmana Harnirattanakul

A Thai visionary who pioneered creative industries in Southeast Asia through urban innovation hubs

Nimmana Harnirattanakul (born 1962) is a Thai entrepreneur and founder of the Nimmana Creative Hub in Chiang Mai. His work transformed a derelict industrial area into Thailand's first creative industry district, now home to over 300 tech startups and design studios. He introduced the concept of 'creative economy' to Thailand, influencing national policies that now prioritize cultural industries. The Nimmana Project became a model for urban regeneration, featuring co-working spaces, art galleries, and innovation labs. Harnirattanakul's 2003 book Urban Revitalization through Creative Industries is a key text in regional development studies. His initiatives have created 10,000+ jobs and attracted $200M in foreign investment. The Nimmana Creative Hub website showcases ongoing projects. His TED Talk Why Creative Economies Matter has over 500K views. Harnirattanakul's work inspired similar hubs in Vietnam and Indonesia, proving that cultural innovation drives economic growth.