Recognising visionary leadership and lasting impact
The Bangkok Post once more honors outstanding leadership and innovation in the business industry. The” Bangkok Post CEO of the Year 2024″ prizes are a testament to our unwavering determination to recognizing excellent authority.
This week’s awards highlight key executives and top leaders whose advice has transformed businesses into symbols of achievement, progress, and green growth, continuing our tradition of honoring creative and inspirational leaders who have reshaped industries and sparked beneficial change.
The awards recognize not only commercial accomplishments but also the important contributions and lasting efforts these leaders have made to society and the economy across a range of categories. These distinctions highlight the impact of their perspective and commitment, from striking tactics to revolutionary leadership.
This time, 15 prizes may be presented, each accompanied by a unique and compelling narrative that captures the government’s enthusiasm. In the upcoming weeks, we will share the stories of these outstanding leaders, highlighting their accomplishments and contributions to moving both their communities and community ahead.
To level the CEO of the Year 2024 news, the Bangkok Post is launching a unique collection today, with regular features on the awarded CEOs– showcasing their accomplishments, business strategies, and encouraging visions, both in print and online.
Mr. Bandhit claimed that Thai Oil is on the verge of great success as a result of changing its enterprise to conform to international megatrends.
Girding for revolution
The chief executive of Thai Oil has prepared the company for upcoming issues while making sure the workforce’s needs are always at the forefront.
As Thailand transitions toward cleaner energy, Bandhit Thamprajamchit, the company’s chief executive and chairman, is aware of new challenges facing the business as it moves ahead.
He embraces technology and development to ensure the bank’s long-term success while helping Thai Oil change its company strategy in response to growing demand for green energy.
Thai Oil is Thailand’s largest plant and distributor of gas merchandise, producing one of the highest sizes of high-value done petroleum products in Asia-Pacific.
Thai Oil embraces change in order to convert prospective crises into opportunities for growth as it deals with physical challenges like the power transition, the push towards sustainability, advances in artificial intelligence technology, and a statistical shift.
Through its slogan” Empowering Human Life through Sustainable Energy and Chemicals,” Mr. Bandhit made clear that the business was ready to address these physical issues.
Thai Oil has set an aspiration portfolio goal for 2030, which involves reducing the percentage of its petroleum business and high-value petroleum products from 70 % to just 45 % of its overall portfolio. By 2030 the remaing 55 % of the overall portfolio would be made up of the company’s petrochemical business and high-value petrochemical products ( 30 % ), new S-Curve business ( 20 % ), and power business ( 5 % ).
3V Plan
Thai Oil uses three” V’s” to accomplish its objectives and be in line with its total vision, according to Mr. Bandhit, who says the company is aiming to generate the business.
The first” V” refers to benefit maximization, which involves the inclusion of the existing business value ring with the achievement of investment options in the downstream chemical industry as well as the development of high-value products to improve the bank’s competitive capabilities.
This is supported by key business systems, including the Clean Fuel Project ( CFP), and through its investment in PT Chandra Asri Petrochemical Tbk, Indonesia’s largest integrated petroleum company.
The minute’ V’ refers to worth enhancement. According to Mr. Bandhit, this method aims to expand the company’s international areas in order to support a variety of Thai Oil Group items.
In addition to its primary sales center in Thailand, Thai Oil may develop into destination countries that have higher rates of economic and population progress, such as Vietnam, Indonesia and, most recently, India.
The third’ V’ refers to value diversification. Under this strategy, the company will expand its investment into new S-curve businesses that relate to the latest mega-trends, he said.
Parmi the new industries targeted are the chemical industry, which inhibits and eliminates harmful germs, surfactants used in cleaning products ( disinfectants and surfactants ), bio-businesses, and new energy industries, including investment and business creation through corporate venture capital.
3C APPROACH
Through the use of three” C’s,” Thai Oil’s business transformation also includes efforts to reduce its environmental impact.
According to Mr. Bandhit, the business is focusing on achieving its sustainability goals, including achieving carbon neutrality by 2050 and a net-zero target by 2060. The interim goal is to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 15 % by 2035.
The first’ C’ refers to reducing Thai Oil’s existing emissions. The company is attempting to put Thai Oil’s current production processes to the best possible use by studying and developing net-zero pathways. This is a priority.
The company aims to make up for the remaining amount of greenhouse gases in the second” C,” according to Mr. Bandhit. The second” C” involves compensating for residual emissions.
The third ‘C’ refers to controlling future emissions. The company wants to control the amount of greenhouse gases by adjusting its portfolio to include a significant proportion of investment in alternative low-carbon businesses and products, aligning with its V strategy. Mr. Bandhit claimed that Thai Oil is on the verge of great success as a result of changing its enterprise to conform to international megatrends.
The chief executive of Thai Oil has developed all aspects of the business and communicated the messaging needed to support these changes. He places an emphasis on satisfying the needs of employees so they can produce high-quality work and live a good life, as he believes in the message behind the slogan” Your Value, Our Priority,” which will help Thai Oil develop consistently and sustainably to become a 100-year-old organization.
Bandhit Thamprajamchit President and Chief Executive Officer of Thai Oil Public Company Limited
Dr. Tanupol stated that he intends to increase the percentage that the wellness segment contributes to the group’s overall revenue going forward.
BDMS zeroing in on wellness
Company’s operations aim to generate  , a larger chunk of overall revenue from its preventive  , and lifestyle medicine services
The chief executive of Bangkok Dusit Medical Services Plc ( BDMS ) Wellness Clinic and BDMS Wellness Resort, better known as Dr. Amp, is a renowned authority on preventive medicine and lifestyle medicine.
Dr. Tanupol continued his education by studying anti-ageing medicine and becoming certified in the American Board of Anti-Aging and Regenerative Medicine after graduating from Siriraj Hospital’s Faculty of Medicine.
Dr. Tanupol has a lot of knowledge in helping patients adjust their lifestyles, particularly in terms of weight management and the treatment of obesity.
Dr Tanupol is also a best-selling author of several health and wellness books, while his YouTube channel– DrAmp Team– now has more than 1 million subscribers.
” My vision is to improve the quality of life for Thais, and people around the world”, he said.
Dr. Tanupol claimed that as the number of people over 60 increases, the world is becoming an aging society.
In Thailand, this segment accounts for more than 20 % of the population, above the global average of 16-17 %, with people aged 60 and above expected to account for 28 % of the Thai population by 2031.
Another challenge facing human health is the prevalence of non-communicable diseases (NCD ), including strokes, cardiovascular disease, hypertension, lung disease, and obesity.
In 2023, around 77 % of deaths in Thailand were attributed to NCDs, accounting for 380, 000 deaths per year, which is considered to be extremely high.
Thailand also had the highest incidence of obesity in the area.
BDMS reported revenue of over 100 billion baht in the last year, of which only 10 % was made up of the wellness sector, with the rest coming from the treatment of illnesses.
Dr. Tanupol stated that he intends to increase the percentage that the wellness segment contributes to the group’s overall revenue going forward.
Over the past five years, BDMS ‘ revenue from wellness services has increased by 30 % annually, far exceeding the average of 10 % globally.
BDMS Wellness Clinic operates 19 wellness clinics nationwide, including its headquarters in Bangkok, located in Soi Somkid.
The 15-billion-baht Bangkok facility includes a clinic, the Mövenpick BDMS Wellness Resort Bangkok, BDMS Connect Center, which is a meetings facility, along with a private jet service to meet the needs of wealthy clients.
During this year’s second and third quarters, 60 % of the company’s clients were foreigners, mainly from China or the Middle East, who recognise the BDMS brand as the ideal provider of healthcare and wellness services.
Dr. Tanupol noted that the company also employs a number of employees with extensive hospitality industry experience because they are already well-equipped with a service-oriented mindset to provide clients with their services at the clinics.
” My vision is not only driving revenue, but rather to contribute to society, making Thailand one of the world’s leading wellness destinations”, he said.
Thailand is ranked 15th for wellness tourism in 2022, according to the Global Wellness Institute, and BDMS Wellness Clinic wants to improve its position in the world rankings to be among the top five, he said.
He claimed that the group had already made an additional 25 billion dollars to build a wellness complex in Bangkok in an effort to become the “wellness valley of the world.”
It is estimated that the project, which will feature hotels, clinics, and residential units aimed at people who have chosen to adopt a “wellness lifestyle”, will be completed within five years.
Additionally, the business has just introduced the BDMS Wellness Clinic in Laguna Phuket, which is geared toward Russian-born visitors looking for wellness.
BDMS has invested a lot in research and technology in addition to running a leading healthcare group for more than 50 years.
” Today, every aspect of a person’s medical information can be checked”, said Dr Tanupol.
” Medicine today is not a case of “one size fits all.” It’s all about precision and providing more personalised solutions”.
Advanced technology enables in-depth analysis of personal health factors, including aspects pertaining to hormones, andropause, menopause, stress levels, sleep quality, food and diet, and vitamin and mineral levels.
A complete genome genetic test is also available that can help doctors help you plan a healthy lifestyle and determine a person’s risk of developing a disease later.
Tanupol Virunhagarun is the CEO of BDMS Wellness Clinic and BDMS Wellness Resort.
Thapana Sirivadhanabhakdi.
attempting to create a sustainable future
Thapana Sirivadhanabhakdi of ThaiBev is utilizing Sufficiency Economy principles to promote long-term stability and resilience.
Thai Beverage Public Company Limited ( ThaiBev ), led by Thapana Sirivadhanabhakdi, CEO and president, has grown the business into one of the largest beverage conglomerates in Southeast Asia and has also been a proponent of sustainable business practices.
His direction goes beyond profit, highlighting the crucial role that businesses play in promoting social and environmental responsibility.
Under Mr Thapana’s stewardship, ThaiBev has embraced the philosophy of the Sufficiency Economy, as advocated by His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej The Great, King Rama IX.
By using this strategy, Mr. Thapana has demonstrated that sustainability is a potent force for long-term stability and resilience rather than a stopper of growth.
This philosophy, rooted in moderation, responsible consumption, and environmental care, has become a guiding principle for ThaiBev, serving as a case study on how sustainability can be integrated into business operations.
Beyond his own business, Mr. Thapana has collaborated with the Chaipattana Foundation to promote this philosophy as a social foundation for both families and businesses.
For the past five years, Mr Thapana has spearheaded Sustainable Expo ( SX), Asean’s largest sustainability-focused event. The expo brings together government, private sectors, and civil society to foster collaboration on critical sustainability issues, including carbon emission reduction, environmental protection, and the role of technology in achieving these goals.
SX 2024 marked its most successful year, extending the event from seven to ten days, with over 640, 000 participants both online and offline, surpassing the initial target of 500, 000. Of these attendees, more than 227, 000 were young people aged 18-35, highlighting the growing interest in sustainability among the next generation.
The expo featured insights from over 700 speakers representing 270 organisations, all aiming to find practical solutions to global sustainability challenges.
Remarkably, the event generated over 40 million baht in revenue through community product sales and booth exhibitions. All profits went to social organizations and local communities, and ThaiBev kept the costs low for exhibitors, demonstrating the company’s strong commitment to supporting social causes and social good.
The SX initiative sends a clear message that all industries are eager to learn and take steps toward sustainability. Youths ‘ overwhelming participation reflects their growing awareness of the impact of their actions on the future of the planet and their place in it, according to Mr. Thapana, who cited the success of the event.
” Collaboration are crucial for the dimensions of sustainability. We must prioritise the five ‘ P’s– planet, people, prosperity, partnership and peace, to truly drive sustainable progress”, he said.
Mr Thapana credits much of his business acumen to his father, Charoen Sirivadhanabhakdi, the founder of ThaiBev. He learned the importance of” consistency and resilience” in business, especially in times of economic uncertainty.
” If you’re committed to something, you have to continually adjust and solve problems, no matter how small, without giving up”, Mr Thapana shared.
Ethics are also a cornerstone of Mr Thapana’s approach to business. He firmly believes that businesses must collaborate with their partners without petty customers or suppliers.
” Unethical practices destroy sustainability”, he says, underscoring that ethical conduct is key to long-term business success.
Mr Thapana’s success lies in his ability to balance growth with sustainability. He emphasises three key elements– awareness, mindfulness, and adaptability.
First, businesses must stay aware of “disruptions” in the marketplace by understanding consumer behaviour and megatrends. Second, mindfulness and thoughtful decision-making are essential for sustaining both growth and environmental responsibility.
Finally, adaptability is essential to navigating the rapidly evolving global technology and environmental challenges.
Thapana Sirivadhanabhakdi’s leadership reflects a deep commitment to not only building a thriving business but also making a lasting, positive impact on society. The Bangkok Post proudly recognizes him as CEO of the Year in Sustainability Impact Leadership for his remarkable contributions and acknowledges his leadership in shaping a more sustainable future for ThaiBev and society.
Thai Beverage Plc.’s Chief Executive Officer of Thapana SirivadhanabhakdiGroup
