Thailand Tatler has been the nation’s leading lifestyle magazine since its inception in 1991, presenting an ever-engaging editorial mix of high-society profiles, glamorous events, lavish fashion shoots and luxury lifestyle trends. The magazine recently unveiled its latest Generation T list highlighting fifty of Thailand’s brightest entrepreneurs, and to be featured in Tatler’s pages is a high honor. As a testament to RIS, several alumni have previously made the list including restaurateur Chotipong Leenutaphong (Class of 2000), art curator Akapol Sudsana (Class of 1997), and music producer Montonn Jira (Class of 1996). This year, five RIS alumni are featured on the list of game-changing luminaries, some of whom also made the list the year before.
Aliza ‘Alice’ Napartivaumnuay
(Class of 2000)
Socialgiver, co-founded by Aliza in 2015, is an acclaimed social enterprise that enables users to enjoy lifestyle experiences while giving back. Businesses ranging from hotels, restaurants, experiences and more pledge GiveCards that offer Socialgiver users exclusive prices. Profits are donated to hand-picked social and environmental projects. The platform, featuring more than 200 brands, has now recently been launched as a convenient mobile application. This synergy between people, businesses and social projects has helped more than 45,000 lives, allowing a sustainable means for customers and brands to make a positive social impact together.
Fuadi Pitsuwan
(Class of 2004)
Beanspire Coffee, co-founded by Fuadi in 2013, aids Thai coffee farmers in developing, improving and exporting high-quality Thai coffee beans to compete in the global market. Fuadi is a Harvard graduate, and if that weren’t impressive enough, he’s currently completing his doctorate in politics at the University of Oxford. The son of late Thai politician Dr. Surin, Fuadi has always been altruistically committed to making positive social and educational impact. In tandem with a passion for coffee is a sense of patriotism as Fuadi and Beanspire work to develop Thailand as an origin of specialty coffee that all Thais can be proud of.
Aim Amarit Charoenphan
(Class of 2005)
Aim Amarit, alongside his brother and fellow RIS alumnus Charle Charoenphan, co-founded Thailand’s first and largest co-working space HUBBA in Ekamai in 2012. Fast-forward seven years and three additional locations later, HUBBA has now flourished into a complete interconnected network and support system for burgeoning entrepreneurs and startups, thanks in part to a massive partnership with Google for Entrepreneurs. As if that weren’t enough, Aim Amarit is also the co-founder of Techsauce which recently organized the second of its hugely-successful Techsauce Global Summit conferences. The conference is the largest of its kind in Thailand and the most recent one was attended by an estimated 10,000 delegates.
Earn Aukrit Unahalekhaka
(Class of 2006)
Aukrit, a graduate of MIT, is co-founder of Ricult, a social enterprise recognized by the United Nations and the first of Thai origin to receive funding from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, among other accolades. Through the sharing of innovative technology and digital information, Ricult has assisted farmers in northern Thailand and Pakistan in their agricultural productivity, raising them from the poverty line. Aukrit’s work has garnered him recognition from the Thai government as the top entrepreneur under 35 as Ricult continues its aid to farmers not only in the north but throughout the country.
Panupong Tejapaibul
(Class of 2011)
Panupong was only 22 when he launched Ticketmelon, a digital ticketing service that caters to a variety of events ranging from modest private events to larger-scale ones. Ticketmelon covers all industries from music to sports to education and the arts and more. Since its inception, Ticketmelon has increasingly been recognized by organizers for its convenient interface, customized marketing support and analytical insights. It is credited for bridging a gap in the local music scene, having snagged exclusive ticketing rights for sold-out concerts by Cigarettes After Sex and Crystal Castles, among others. In addition to his achievements with Ticketmelon, Panupong is recognized for his efforts in transforming his staff’s perspective on work life by placing value on them as much as partners and encouraging office environments that are enjoyable, empowering and inspiring.
