On March 8, which is International Women’s Dayth, Thai PBS World has put together a list of eight Thai women who are having a global impact.
1. Nualphan Lamsam
A fifth-generation member of the Lamsam family, Nualphan, also known as “Madame Pang”, is most famous as the CEO of Muang Thai Insurance and the exclusive distributor of Hermes luxury goods in Thailand. Nualphan has also played a significant role in Thai sports, previously leading Thailand’s women’s national football team and later becoming the president of the Football Association of Thailand, making history as the first female to do so in its 103-year history.
2. Ariya Jutanugarn
Among the many female golfers in Thailand, Ariya stands out with a long list of exceptional accomplishments and for being the first Thai golfer to win an LPGA championship. Her older sister, Moriya, is also a professional golfer. The Jutanugarn sisters were selected by the Thailand Foundation as joint recipients of the Public Diplomacy Award 2023, for their ongoing contributions in showcasing Thailand through their achievements in the international ladies’ golf arena.
3. Fawn Veerasunthorn
The Thai film director and storyboard artist was instrumental in the success of the Walt Disney animated features “Raya and the Last Dragon” and “Wish”. Born in Thailand’s Chonburi province, Fawn initially studied medicine at Mahidol University, but later chose to move to the United States to study fine arts, on a friend's recommendation. Since then, Fawn has worked on several animated films that have enjoyed global success, including Despicable Me 2, Frozen, Moana, and Zootopia.
4. Saiphin Moore
A Thai chef and businesswoman who has achieved significant success away from her hometown, establishing Thai cuisine in the UK. Born into a family of farmers in Thailand’s Phetchabun province, her culinary journey began at the age of 14 when she opened her own noodle stall. Later, she moved to Hong Kong to work as a nanny and opened her first restaurant, Tuk Tuk Thai. Saiphin founded Rosa’s Thai Cafe in 2008 after moving to London, which now has 40 branches across the UK.
5. Alice Bhandhukravi
Alice Bhandhukravi is a reporter and TV presenter for the BBC in London. She can be seen leading the evening news or out on location covering all the stories affecting the capital city, from crime and politics to human interest stories and the arts. Alice has been at the BBC since 2006, moving from finance to journalism.
She was born in Bangkok to a Thai father and British mother and she is very proud of her Thai heritage. “Growing up in Britain, seeing Thai or South East Asian faces on TV was rare. Now, with more diversity on our screens, I hope it inspires South East Asian children to dream big,” she told Thai PBS World
6. Adulaya Hoontrakul
Adulaya ‘Kim’ Hoontrakul is the director of the Bangkok Art and Culture Centre (BACC). A graduate of SOAS and Lasalle College of the Arts, she is now leading one of the top art institutes in Thailand. With over 1.5 million visitors per year, the BACC plays a crucial role in introducing Thai artists to an international audience.
7. Pannabha Chandraramya
Since the beginning of the Israel-Hamas conflict, Pannabha, Thailand’s Ambassador to Israel, has played a significant role in negotiating with the Thai and Israeli governments to locate Thai citizens who were captured by Hamas militants. She also leads efforts on the ground to assist Thai workers affected by the conflict, particularly those in the construction and agricultural sectors.
8. Krisana Kraisintu
Referred to as the “Gypsy Pharmacist”, Krisana is famous for creating modern and herbal medicines for treating HIV/AIDS, malaria, and other deadly illnesses, both in Thailand and internationally. She has recently been honored as the medical scientist of the year by the Medical Sciences Foundation and Department of Medical Sciences due to her commitment to enhancing and ensuring access to medical care for everyone.
