Art, food, and compassion came together at W Bangkok in one unforgettable night that blended purpose with elegance. Smiling Gecko, a Swiss-Cambodian nonprofit known for its grassroots approach to sustainable development, hosted a charity dinner and art auction to raise funds for underprivileged children and families in Cambodia—and the result was as moving as it was magnificent.
Held in the heart of Thailand’s capital, this charity dinner in Bangkok was more than a gourmet experience—it was a cultural bridge. Guests were treated to a curated dinner menu by Chef Mariya “On” Noon, Executive Chef of UN Restaurant, Cambodia’s award-winning fine dining establishment nestled inside the Smiling Gecko Farmhouse Resort & Spa.
Chef Mariya, who grew up in the slums of Phnom Penh, now leads Cambodia’s modern culinary scene. With over 1 million followers on TikTok, she has become a global voice for Cambodian cuisine, elevating traditional flavors with refined European techniques she mastered while training in Switzerland under Michelin-starred chefs.
The evening’s emotional core was a moving art auction for charity, featuring heartfelt paintings by students from Smiling Gecko’s school, alongside exclusive works donated by world-renowned architect and designer Bill Bensley. Each piece told a story—of hope, of transformation, and of a brighter future. Proceeds from the auction and dinner (after expenses) were donated directly to Smiling Gecko Cambodia, empowering them to continue their mission of transforming lives through education, vocational training, sustainable agriculture, and social entrepreneurship.
The charity event was the crown jewel of Cross Culture Weekend – Cambodia Edition, an immersive celebration of Cambodian art, culture, and culinary heritage. Attendees enjoyed creative mixology at Bar Sathorn from guest bartenders flown in from Phnom Penh, plus a photography masterclass with Hannes Schmid himself.
You may know him as the legendary photographer behind the Marlboro Man campaign and countless rock-star photo archives—but Hannes Schmid’s most powerful legacy may be his humanitarian work. After visiting Cambodia in 2012 and witnessing extreme poverty firsthand, he traded the camera for community impact, founding Smiling Gecko Switzerland and later Smiling Gecko Cambodia.
Today, the organization runs a 150-hectare eco-campus offering farming projects, vocational schools, restaurants, and more. It’s a living model of a social enterprise in Cambodia—and it’s working.
“Chef Mariya represents the potential we see in every child,” said Hannes Schmid. “She’s not only changing her own life, but also lifting others around her. That’s what Smiling Gecko is all about—creating real, lasting change.”
Cambodia remains one of the poorest countries in Southeast Asia. Smiling Gecko is tackling the roots of poverty by equipping families with tools for self-reliance: education, employment, and dignity. Events like this dinner help fund those efforts—and raise global awareness of what’s possible when compassion meets action.
Support the cause: www.smilinggecko.ch
Plan a visit: UN Restaurant and Farmhouse Resort & Spa are open to guests and travelers seeking a purpose-driven escape.
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