7 Thais join Forbes list of under-30 changemakers in Asia

Seven young Thais joined the list of 300 under-30 changemakers in Asia announced in the “Forbes Under 30 Asia 2024”.

The list released in June was taken from 21 countries across the region and covered categories like entertainment and sports, consumer technology, finance and venture capital, enterprise technology, retail and e-commerce, healthcare and science, and social impact.

Of those listed, 86 hail from India, followed by 32 each from China and Japan, Singapore (27), Australia (26) and Indonesia (18).

The Thais who made it to the list are:

Vachirawit “Bright” Chivaaree (26)

Listed in the entertainment and sports category, this young actor, singer and entrepreneur has an enormous following on social media – 18.5 million on Instagram and 5 million on X (formerly Twitter).

Vachirawit also launched his own sustainable fashion brand, ASTRO Stuffs, in 2020 and three years later, he established an artist management agency Cloud9 Entertainment. He is also partnering with Universal Music Thailand to promote Thai talent globally.

Atthaya “Jeeno” Thitikul (20)

Also listed in the entertainment and sports category, Atthaya became the youngest golfer to win a professional tournament when she bagged the top prize at the Ladies European Thailand Championship in 2017. She was only 14 then.

She also topped the Women’s World Golf Rankings and was named LPGA Tour Rookie of the Year in 2022. In 2023, she won the LPGA Vare Trophy for having the lowest scoring average at 69.533.

Ty Lertwichaiworawit (29) and Mint Leung (29)

Listed in the consumer technology category, Ty and Mint co-founded the WeGoWhere social networking app that helps users build, manage and nurture in-person relationships. The app has over 500,000 users who use it for an average of about half an hour daily.

WeGoWhere secured over US$1.3 million (47.62 million baht) in funding from investors in the US and Singapore to improve user experience and expand to new markets across Southeast Asia. 

Khanisorn Meepong (28)

Also listed in consumer technology, Khanisorn is the co-founder of 24X, a maintenance and handyman service for both homes and businesses. The company has more than 50,000 customers in Thailand and Singapore.

The company secured $4.3 million (157.47 million baht) in funding from local and international investors in 2023. It plans to raise more funds by launching an initial public offering in Thailand.

Plengrhambhai “Pleng” Kruesopon (20) and Pynbhairoh “Pyn” Kruesopon (16)

Listed in the social impact category, the duo are co-founders of Care for Coral, the first youth-led coral restoration non-profit organisation in Thailand.

The NGO was set up by Plengrhambhai, who is studying pre-law at Stanford University in California, and her younger sister, who is studying at an international school in Bangkok. Care for Coral received the Most Outstanding Youth Organisation award in 2023. 

The sisters have also received the Gold Ocean Conservationist medal from the Thai government for their contribution to conservation and youth activism.