Brighter Future, an interschool youth organization based in Thailand, has earned international acclaim after receiving the 2025 Global Youth Action Fund Winner Award from the International Baccalaureate (IB) with the highest grant of US $ 3,000 and being named a top-five finalist in the Global Good Awards’s Canon Young Champion (Under 21s) category. These honours reflect the group’s strong commitment to innovation in digital library access and youth-led publishing for underserved children. With a mission to provide free access to physical and digital books, particularly in remote and digitally excluded communities, Brighter Future is fast emerging as a driving force in the global education movement.
Founded three years ago by Vachiravich Phantratanamongkol, known as Turbo, a high school student from Bangkok Patana School, Brighter Future began as a response to the lack of educational resources in underprivileged areas during his first visit to tutor the children. Inspired by his childhood experiences with libraries and books, Turbo launched Brighter Future, a fundraising and volunteering club, and spearheaded Thailand’s first student-run digital library, Brightly Beaming, for vulnerable children. He developed both the fundraising and library website platforms himself.
To bridge the digital divide, the group later launched Thailand’s first interschool publishing house, allowing physical books from their digital library to be printed and distributed in communities with limited access to technology.
Brighter Future has since grown into a vibrant global network, engaging students, authors, and translators from over 15 schools across 10 countries, including the International School Bangkok (ISB), Shrewsbury International School, The Lawrenceville School in the USA, and institutions in Malaysia, the Philippines, and India.
Currently, Brighter Future engages a diverse and growing audience from over 20 countries through its social media platforms, providing direct access to its e-library. Most followers are readers and supporters who regularly visit to read the club’s original children’s books and check for new book releases. The audience spans the globe, including countries such as Hong Kong, Indonesia, the Philippines, India, South Africa, the United Arab Emirates, Spain, the United States, and beyond.
Their fundraising initiatives include the ‘Library to Life’ book sale campaign and ‘Librarython’, a children’s book competition, which encourages students to write children’s books and donate according to their means. Winning submissions are published on the organization’s website and in the National Library of Thailand, with all proceeds supporting the printing of books for children in need.
In collaboration with five NGOs, such as the Thai Red Cross Children Home, the World Vision Foundation of Thailand, the Lutheran Christian Foundation, the Children of the Forest Foundation and the Community Children Foundation (CCF) under the Royal Patronage of HRH Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn, Brighter Future has distributed over 3,600 printed books, valued at $12,500, in multiple languages to over 10,000 children in rural schools, churches and libraries throughout Thailand and its neighbouring regions. Many of the recipients include rural students, stateless children and ethnic minority groups like Karen, Akha, Lue and Lahu. Every book features a QR code that links to its e-library for unlimited access or new print copies.
“I’m honoured to receive prestigious recognition from both the IB and the Global Good Awards. This award reflects our commitment to improving learning opportunities, addressing global challenges, Quality Education (SDG4) and Reduced Inequalities (SDG10). I’m grateful to my supervisors, Mr. Murgatroyd, Ms. Lamthadanai, Mrs. Ferguson and teammates whose support drives us to keep pushing forward. With this international recognition, we hope to inspire youth leaders from around the world to collaborate in advancing educational inclusion,” said Turbo.
Looking ahead, the group plans to use the $3,000 grant in combination with their funds to print an additional 5,000 books, including those from the Librarython competition. They are currently welcoming new volunteers, authors, translators, and chapter leads from around the world. Applications are now open via their social media platforms and will be reviewed on a rolling basis.
Mr. Stephen Murgatroyd, Head of Libraries at Bangkok Patana School, said, “The Brighter Future group continues to raise money, write and distribute books, as well as volunteering at, and supporting, local schools. With Turbo’s input, drive and enthusiasm, the group will continue to evolve, operate and thrive while he is here at Bangkok Patana. This will ensure that after he graduates, the group he founded will leave a lasting legacy that will have an impact beyond our school, benefitting children all over Thailand.”
Brighter Future’s journey is a powerful reminder that when young people are given the tools, trust and opportunity, they can lead meaningful change. As the project expands its reach, it not only redefines how education can be accessed but also inspires a new generation of changemakers to build a more inclusive and equitable world.
For more information, please visit:
Website: Brighter Future Group
Instagram: Brightly Beaming
For any inquiry, contact Vachiravich Phantratnamongkol at contact@brighterfuture.live.
About Brighter Future
Brighter Future is a youth-led nonprofit charitable organization dedicated to providing underprivileged children with access to quality education. Headquartered in Bangkok, it creates educational opportunities through both digital and physical resources, serviced by its partnered Brightly Beaming library, produced by students and tailored to the needs of primary and secondary children. To date, the group has reached over 10,000 children in Thailand and many more across countries.
Media Contact
Company Name: Brightly Beaming, Bangkok Patana School
Contact Person: Vachiravich Phantratnamongkol
Email: Send Email
City: Bangkok
Country: Thailand
Website: www.brighterfuture.live