Having a degree in finance and working in public sector before joining Thailand Creative and Design Center (TCDC) in 2008, Inthaphan Buakeow's past experience was mainly in policy development for real sector. Inthaphan currently manages a branch in northern Thailand that aims to promote design thinking to support local culture, craftsmanship, and production to evolve with today way of life. Additionally, he has managed  Chiang Mai Design Week for two consecutive editions. Although the festival focuses on design and crafts, it encourages designers and craftsmen to cross pollinate with professionals in other fields from domestic and overseas.