From Campus to Cockpit: Chula-Thai Airways Unite for a Future-Ready Thailand
The purpose of this collaboration is to foster cooperation in education, research, innovation development, and knowledge exchange between academia and business sectors. The aim is to adapt to societal and technological changes while creating value for both organizations and society. Additionally, the partnership supports human resource development, lifelong learning, and upskilling of personnel, students, and the general public through co-created learning materials, knowledge exchange, training programs, and various creative activities. The long-term vision includes establishing new organizational value, and jointly supporting the creation of departments, academic programs, or projects aimed at enhancing professionalism, services, and related industries. The shared knowledge will be used to improve operational efficiency and strengthen relationships between public and private sectors, serving as a model of collaboration for national development.
As part of the event, Chulalongkorn University hosted the fourth session of the President's Distinguished Speaker Series under the theme: "From Turbulence to Triumph: Thai Airways' Journey from Recovery to Ascent." Professor Dr. Wilert Puriwat opened the event, followed by a discussion featuring Dr. Piyasvasti Amranand, Head of the Business Rehabilitation Plan for Thai Airways, and Mr. Chai Eamsiri, CEO of Thai Airways. The session decoded the airline's strategic turnaround from loss to profit and its service excellence upgrade. The panel was moderated by Dr. Weerapong Prasongchean, guest lecturer at Chula's General Education Center.
Prof. Dr. Wilert Puriwat remarked:
"The role of universities today goes beyond simply delivering education — it includes learning from real-life experiences. These experiences become truly meaningful when we learn from actual challenges. It is an honor to learn from Thai Airways' transformation, a national organization of the Thai people. Both Chulalongkorn University and Thai Airways share a similar mission — to go global, acting as gateways to Thailand. Our efforts are, therefore, genuinely in service of the nation."
Dr. Piyasvasti Amranand, commenting on Thai Airways' recovery, stated:
"It has now been five years since Thai Airways filed for business rehabilitation with the Central Bankruptcy Court. Soon, the court is expected to issue an order concluding the rehabilitation process, which would mean Thai Airways can once again operate as a regular public company and resume stock trading on the exchange. However, all staff must remain honest and resilient. Do not succumb to external pressures — otherwise, we risk repeating past mistakes. Weakness among executives or employees opens the door to outside interference, especially in procurement. I urge our leadership to stay strong and uphold what is right."
Mr. Chai Eamsiri, CEO of Thai Airways, summarized:
"Aviation is a complex, highly competitive industry. Thai Airways envisions becoming a high-quality airline that reflects Thai identity through its services and achieves sustainable profitability. Since our performance has improved, we've incorporated elements of Thai soft power into our identity under the theme 'Good Taste for a Good Cause,' to tell our story and restore public trust."
View the photo album of this article at https://www.chula.ac.th/en/news/242541/
About Chulalongkorn University
"Chulalongkorn University proudly retains its No. 1 position among Thai universities and ranks 132nd in Asia out of more than 2,000 institutions in the THE Asia University Rankings 2025 — a testament to the excellence of Thai higher education on the regional stage."
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Korea Herald
05-08-2025
- Korea Herald
BHIRAJ BURI GROUP Selects Yardi Platform to Unify Operations Across Real Estate Portfolio
Bangkok-based property company to leverage cloud technology for improved efficiency and scalability BANGKOK, Aug. 5, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- BHIRAJ BURI GROUP, a leading property developer and asset management company in Thailand, has selected Yardi ® to modernise and streamline operations across its diverse portfolio of Grade-A office buildings, coworking and serviced office spaces, exhibition and convention venues, and lifestyle retail properties throughout Thailand. With Yardi's cloud-based real estate platform, BHIRAJ BURI GROUP will streamline operations, automate processes, and have better visibility into projects with real-time data. The integrated solution will modernise leasing and finance processes, enhance reporting, and support smarter, data-driven decisions. These improvements will deliver a faster and more responsive experience for tenants and stakeholders, while supporting long-term growth with scalable, future-ready technology. "Partnering with Yardi is a major step forward in our commitment to innovation," said Pitiphatr Buri, CEO of BHIRAJ BURI GROUP. "We were looking for a platform that could provide full visibility across our operations while supporting long-term growth. Yardi's integrated, scalable technology gives us the tools we need to stay ahead in a competitive market." "BHIRAJ BURI GROUP's adoption of Yardi's real estate technology will unlock new levels of efficiency and insight into its portfolio," said Bernie Devine, senior director for Yardi. "We look forward to supporting their digital transformation journey and helping to streamline operations and provide the flexibility to scale and adapt as the market evolves." See how Yardi can help your digital transformation with a cloud-based platform. About BHIRAJ BURI GROUP BHIRAJ BURI GROUP (BBG) is a leading Thai asset development and management company with over 40 years of experience in the commercial real estate sector. With more than 790,000 sqm of gross floor area across Bangkok's strategic locations, BBG is dedicated to transforming spaces into places through its Work–Live–Play–F&B business principle. Work: A diverse portfolio of thoughtfully designed workplaces and venues created to enhance well-being, productivity and long-term value. Live & Play: Inclusive, lifestyle-driven places that promote wellness, creativity and community for all ages. F&B: Curated food and beverage experiences across BBG developments that encourage connection, relaxation and a strong sense of community. BBG remains committed to delivering high-quality commercial developments and integrated solutions that generate long-term value for all stakeholders, while enhancing the urban experience through inclusiveness and sustainability. Learn more at About Yardi Yardi ® develops industry-leading software for all types and sizes of real estate companies across the world. With over 9,500 employees, Yardi is working with our clients to drive significant innovation in the real estate industry. For more information on how Yardi is Energised for Tomorrow, visit
![[Andrew Sheng] Three-body problem in geoeconomics](/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwimg.heraldcorp.com%2Fnews%2Fcms%2F2025%2F08%2F04%2Fnews-p.v1.20250804.ac54d99281a14a03865f3e2d5fdb9ec3_T1.jpg&w=3840&q=100)
Korea Herald
04-08-2025
- Korea Herald
[Andrew Sheng] Three-body problem in geoeconomics
Asian economies are still anxiously assessing how to compete for trade with the United States after missing the Aug. 1 deadline for the Trump administration's tariff negotiations. The Philippines' tariff rate for exports to the US is reportedly down to 19 percent. However, one Filipino lawmaker says it's 6 percent. Indonesia's rate is down to 19 percent; Vietnam's is down to 20 percent. Hours before the deadline, Malaysian, Thai and Cambodian leaders seemed to be on the cusp of reaching deals with the US. Meanwhile, Laos is bracing for stiff tariffs of up to 40 percent. This is MAGA economics in a nutshell. Washington has traded in a multilateral approach to hegemony for a 'divide and conquer' strategy that makes smaller economies compete against each other for the superpower's favor. Against the largest importer in the world, small exporters have no cards, as Trump might say. As governments scramble to negotiate deals, businesses may have to close entire factories or shift to countries with lower tariffs. If current profit margins are too thin, higher tariff rates are likely to put further stress on the cost of doing business. Vietnam, Cambodia and Bangladesh emerged as big winners from the first phase of the US-China trade war in the late 2010s. But Cambodia faced a tariff of as much as 40 percent, compared with Bangladesh's 35 percent rate. On Aug. 1, Trump basically equalized tariffs by putting Cambodia and Bangladesh at 19 percent, versus Vietnam at 20 percent. This climate of fierce geoeconomic competition is ushering in a wave of uncertainty. The unpredictable nature of who will win or lose from the US' 'divide and conquer' strategy produces more questions than answers. Meanwhile, any attempt to use technology to stay ahead of the game may be in vain, even as the US doubles down on its artificial intelligence AI policy. In July, the Trump administration released 'America's AI action plan.' According to Trump, 'As (the US') global competitors race to exploit these technologies (such as AI), it is a national security imperative for the United States to achieve and maintain unquestioned and unchallenged global technological dominance.' In a unipolar order, the hegemon dictates the rules. After World War II, the global economy was comparatively stable. Under Pax Americana, one set of rules governed free trade and capital flows. However, the world system wasn't without contradiction. Europe and Russia began to wield more influence after recovering from World War II. The rise of China, India and emerging economies such as Indonesia and Brazil was also on the horizon. The unipolar world order gradually gave way to a multipolar one. During the Cold War, Mao Zedong divided the world into the 'first world' of superpowers, the 'second world' of advanced economies and the 'third world' of non-aligned countries. One might mathematically approach this fragmentation through the N-body equation, more popularly fictionalized by Chinese author Liu Cixin in his science fiction novel, 'The Three-Body Problem.' When physicist Isaac Newton studied the motion of planets, he was able to predict the trajectory of two bodies mathematically. But the three-body problem has no elegant mathematical solution to predict the outcome of multiple-body gravitational interactions. Each body's motion is influenced by the changing gravitational pull of the other two or more bodies, creating complex interactions that current mathematics cannot accurately explain. The system illustrates chaotic behavior characterized by a lack of information and random variables. The three-body problem illustrates science's limitations, as well as the limitations of historically informed paradigms used to understand contemporary times and predict the future. AI stems from this paradigm as it combines existing data, computing power and algorithms in the form of large language models. The US believes AI could shape the outcome of several geonomic puzzles. Will AI help MAGA return to the unipolar order? Is the bipolar order between the US and China stable? Will a multipolar order comprising three or more powers lead to conflict and more disorder? National security thinkers posit that if they collect real-time data through social media and intelligence-gathering, gain superiority in computing and apply the most advanced learning models, they can beat the opposition. If only life were that simple. Chinese strategist Sun Tzu understood the importance of gathering intelligence. War is all about operating in uncertainty. Decision-making is difficult in a fast-changing environment plagued by misinformation, disinformation and information gaps. AI can use algorithms to generate 'synthetic data,' but all data exporters know the fatal flaw of 'garbage in, garbage out.' Bad data leads to bad decisions. Hence, there is no perfect AI solution. The clash of civilizations and economies on a global scale is a system-wide competition between entangled systems that are not independent of one another. China, being an older civilization compared to the US, understands the need for resilient systems, whether they be supply chains or governing institutions. Ultimately, these systems are underpinned by people and the planet we live on. After all, decisions are inevitably made by people, even if they use AI. Climate change only adds new risks, making outcomes even more unpredictable. The world system will be shaped by how each competitor learns from mistakes or missteps and takes action to be more resilient against future shocks. We have no algorithm to predict how the contest for the 21st century will unfold. As the Spanish poet Antonio Machado profoundly put it, 'Traveler, there is no road, the road is made by walking.' Andrew Sheng is a distinguished fellow at the Asia Global Institute, University of Hong Kong, and chairman of the George Town Institute of Open and Advanced Studies, Wawasan Open University. The views expressed here are the writer's own. — Ed.
Korea Herald
04-08-2025
- Korea Herald
Informa Markets to Host Vitafoods Asia 2025 Fueling the Growth of Asia's Nutraceutical Industry
BANGKOK, Aug. 4, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Informa Markets will host Vitafoods Asia 2025 from 17–19 September 2025 at Queen Sirikit National Convention Center (QSNCC) in Bangkok. The event will play a key role in advancing Thailand's food and nutraceutical industries, aligning with the region's growing shift toward preventive healthcare and wellness. According to Market Minds Advisory, the Asia-Pacific nutraceutical market is projected to reach USD 176.5 billion by 2034, growing at a CAGR of 8%. "The rapid growth of the food supplements and nutraceutical sector is fueled by rising consumer health awareness, especially around non-communicable diseases like diabetes, obesity, and cardiovascular conditions," said Ms. Rungphech Chitanuwat, Regional Portfolio Director – ASEAN at Informa Markets. Asia's consumers are increasingly seeking solutions for immunity, weight control, and holistic health. Functional beverages, such as protein and probiotic drinks, are gaining traction—especially among younger demographics. Industry players are focusing on R&D for new technologies and natural ingredients like turmeric, green tea, and herbs. Meanwhile, digital platforms and e-commerce are broadening market reach and offering personalized experiences. "This shift toward preventive healthcare is driving strong demand for functional foods and supplements, paving the way for growth across health food, supplement, and nutritional technology sectors," added Rungphech. What to expect at Vitafoods Asia 2025 Vitafoods Asia 2025 will be a strategic platform for innovation, networking, and global market access. Featuring over 650 leading brands and welcoming more than 13,000 visitors from 38 countries, the event will connect the entire supply chain—from raw ingredients to OEM/ODM services and finished products. Key highlights include: Voices of Supporters and Exhibitors Prof. (Research) Dr. Chutima Eamchotchawalit, President of the Program Management Unit for Competitiveness (PMUC), emphasized the importance of adding value to food supplements through research on Thai ingredients. The agency is compiling a positive list of approved functional ingredients, supporting product development aligned with international standards. "This list will enhance product credibility, ensure consumer safety, and position Thai supplements for global competitiveness," said Dr. Chutima. Mr. Nakah Thawichawatt, Chairman of the Food Supplement Industry Group, Federation of Thai Industries, reaffirmed the sector's potential and the FTI's commitment to elevating industry standards and consumer confidence. Dr. Pat Ekpanyaskun, CEO of Nutrition SC Public Company Limited, praised Vitafoods Asia as a key opportunity to raise brand visibility, build networks, and scale across domestic and global markets. Ms. Jeannie Kwa, Senior HCP Marketing Manager, APAC, from Kaneka Corporation, added that health ageing and longevity are among the fastest-growing categories. Ingredients like NAD+, senolytics, Omega-3, Vitamin D, and collagen are leading product innovation. Pre-registration is now open Vitafoods Asia 2025 will take place from 17–19 September 2025, Level LG, QSNCC, Bangkok. You can secure the privileges by pre-registering to attend at About Informa Markets Vitafoods is organised by Informa Markets, a division of Informa plc. Informa Markets creates platforms for industries and specialist markets to trade, innovate and grow. Its portfolio comprises more than 550 international B2B events and brands in markets including Healthcare & Pharmaceuticals, Infrastructure, Construction & Real Estate, Fashion & Apparel, Hospitality, Food & Beverage, and Health & Nutrition, among others. Informa Markets provides customers and partners around the globe with opportunities to engage, experience and do business through face-to-face exhibitions, specialist digital content and actionable data solutions. As the world's leading exhibitions organiser, the company brings a diverse range of specialist markets to life, unlocking opportunities and helping them to thrive, 365 days of the year. For more information, please visit
