THAILAND ONE/ PEOPLE
EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW WITH CHAIN SETHIWAN
T1: How do you see the future of the rice industry in Thailand evolving, and how is your company preparing for these changes? With increased competition from neighboring countries, Thailand will need to introduce more varieties of rice to remain competitive. Additionally, with rapid climate change, Thailand will face the El Niño effect this year, affecting rice yield production. It is vital to develop special varieties that can withstand changing climate conditions. With estimated exports of up to 7.5 Million tons this year, we are optimistic that Thai rice will still be doing well in the market despite certain constraints from the possible El Nino climate effect Regarding publicity, organizing food fairs and exhibitions such as Thailand Week and Top Thai Brand in other countries can showcase the beauty of Thai rice. This will help educate both local and international customers about the importance and impact of this commodity worldwide. Furthermore, exhibitions should be held in cities where Thai rice is not well-known in the market yet. As for my company, we will continue to strive for the highest quality of rice for our global clients and position Thai rice as the best option for consumers around the world. —
T1: What advice would you give to someone looking to work in a family business? Be patient with things. It's understandable that fresh graduates, whether from abroad or in Thailand, may want to make changes in a well- established family business, but you can't simply change things overnight. Learn from those who came before you, and once you have an understanding of how things are done, slowly introduce new ideas, and the results will come. I would also say that always being curious is important. Don't be afraid to ask questions from both your employers and employees. It's vital to gain a complete understanding of the company's culture. Also, try to separate work and family life. While it may not be easy to refrain from work conversations outside of work hours, it's important to maintain a healthy relationship with your family. Overall, I agree that being patient will go a long way in establishing trust within the family business environment. T1: Can you tell us about the family's other business ventures? Beyond rice, we are engaged in the real estate sector, owning six residential condos and an office available for rent. The majority of our condos are situated in the Sukhumvit area, with one in Sri Racha, primarily targeting Japanese and international expatriates. Furthermore, we possess two golf courses near Ayutthaya named Royal Bang Pa In Golf Club and Ratchakram Golf Club, respectively.
the art of gastronomy and business negotiation often go hand in hand. With constant exposure to this field, I was fortunate to try different cuisine from around the world. When I moved to London for my Master’s degree, I was introduced to a wide range of food and wines. I discovered my passion for dining at the best restaurants the area could offer, turning it into a hobby to seek out hard-to-reach restaurants around the world. To my surprise, this hobby enabled me to meet and interact with some of the incredible foodies around the world. It became a community that I appreciate and respect. Some became one of my closest friends and we always seek to dine at some of the most acclaimed dining establishments out there. It is without a doubt that great foods always pair with fine wines. I have been fortunate to be sipping wines from different regions around the world. Whether conventional or natural, these wines have a rich deep history of the terroir and how these wines are being made. The world of wine is limitless and I’m still learning about it everyday. With WSET Level 3 certification, I was able to dig deeper into the field and gain much appreciation towards this liquid of god. »
T1: How have your experiences studying abroad in the USA and the UK influenced your work back in Thailand? Having spent almost a decade in Boston and London respectively, I have adopted the Western thinking and ideologies. When I started working for the family business, I was always up for discussion or giving opinions to my employees. There was definitely an adjustment due to cultural differences. I remembered suffering a reverse culture shock when I first came back from the UK a couple of years ago. I tend to be more open-minded on certain decisions rather than being conservative and reticent. One of the most important factors was communication with overseas clients. It is without a doubt that English is always spoken, and having been abroad is definitely a surplus in dealing business with clients. T1: I believe you are a bit of a food and wine expert, tell me about that part of your life. Gastronomy has been an integral part of my life. It all started when my parents took me to client dinners at Le Normandie in Mandarin Oriental, Bangkok, when I was very young. I firmly believe that
52
53
THAILAND ONE
APRIL/ MAY 2024
Made with FlippingBook - Online Brochure Maker