"Chalom as a symbol

A chalom is a kind of Thai bamboo basket used to carry travel items and goods as it has become a symbol of trade in Thailand since ancient times.

The interlaced bamboo strips are strong, resilient, and durable—all qualities that are necessary to bolster the regional economy and help it grow with “stability, prosperity, and sustainability,” the watchwords of the Thai administration. The 21 openings in between the interwoven bamboo strips signify all 21 member economies in APEC.

The characteristics of chalom also reflect the theme of Thailand’s host year, “Open, Connect, Balance,” as in open trade (signified in blue), connectivity (pink), and balance (green) under the Bio-Circular-Green (BCG) Economic Model.

Meet the designer

Chawanon Wongtrakuljong from the Faculty of Architecture, Chulalongkorn University, who submitted the winning design, explained his rationale.

“If you talk about Thai travel, most people would probably think of the tuk-tuk, and if you talk about Thai food, most people would think of tom yum goong… the key factor these two things had in common was ‘time.’ If time is the common denominator, then what has been with the Thai people for a long time in terms of trade and economy?”

Chawanon added that the chalom’s woven bamboo material represents environmental friendliness and its durability represents sustainable cooperation."

https://ottawa.thaiembassy.org/en/content/unveils-logo-for-apec-2022?cate=5f069ee272a783584326eaf8