RIS Alumni Highlights & Connections
Discover the latest RIS alumni milestones, from groundbreaking achievements to unexpected ‘Did you know?’ moments! 🌟 This roundup celebrates their diverse paths and ongoing impact across industries worldwide. Check it out and join us in honoring their inspiring journeys.
AUGUST 2024
Chef Chalee: Michelin-Starred Culinary Innovator
Earlier this year, Chalee Kader, an RIS alumnus from the Class of 1998, earned a Michelin star for his restaurant Wana Yook. He is currently featured in a Michelin Guide article, which you can find here. Known for elevating Thai khao kaeng (rice and curry) to fine dining, he blends traditional Thai flavors with innovative techniques, bringing this beloved dish to the global stage. Chef Chalee’s success reflects his dedication to showcasing Thai cuisine’s depth and complexity, and his Michelin recognition marks a significant milestone in his culinary journey.
AUGUST 2024
Pomme Leads Lazada Thailand’s Growth Vision
Pomme Varitha Kiatpinyochai, RIS Class of 2010, has made waves as the youngest Chief Executive Officer of Lazada Thailand. She is championing a strategic vision to drive the growth of Thailand’s digital economy. Under her leadership, Lazada focuses on empowering local businesses, fostering digital transformation, and strengthening its ecosystem to meet evolving consumer needs.
Pomme’s innovative approach and commitment to progress position her as a trailblazer in the e-commerce sector, shaping the future of online retail in Thailand. Read more here.
SEPTEMBER 2024
Kenji’s Daughter, Anna Sawai, Makes Emmy History
Here’s a fun fact for fans of FX’s critically acclaimed series Shōgun. Did you know that Kenji Sawai from the RIS Class of 1979 is the proud father of actress Anna Sawai, who recently made history as the first Asian performer to win the Emmy for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama for her role as Lady Mariko? Her groundbreaking performance and victory represent a monumental step for Asian representation in Western media, solidifying her as a trailblazing figure in the entertainment industry.
Congratulations to the Sawai family on this historic achievement!
SEPTEMBER 2024
Panupong Partners with AirAsia MOVE to Enhance Event Booking in ASEAN
Panupong Tejapaibul, CEO of Ticketmelon and alum from the RIS Class of 2011, has announced a strategic partnership with AirAsia MOVE to integrate Ticketmelon’s ticketing platform into the AirAsia MOVE app. This collaboration provides users with seamless access to over 300,000 event tickets across ASEAN, combining flight bookings, accommodations, and event tickets into one app. The partnership aims to revolutionize event tourism, with a focus on music, sports, and festivals, driving growth in the region’s booming live events industry.
OCTOBER 2024
Chef Nikky’s Cookbook Now Available!
RIS Class of 1996 alumna Nikky Phinyawatana has just released her debut cookbook, Thai Food and Travel with Chef Nikky: Easy Thai Recipes to Feed Your Soul, now available on Amazon. This vibrant book is a heartfelt celebration of Thai food, culture, and travel, offering approachable recipes that capture the authentic flavors of Thailand.
With glowing reviews from industry experts like Paula Lambert and James Beard Award-winning chef Stephan Pyles, the cookbook is praised for its flavorful, accessible recipes and personal storytelling that brings each dish to life. Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced cook, Chef Nikky’s cookbook will inspire you to create mouthwatering Thai dishes in your own kitchen.
Visit this link to order a copy.
OCTOBER 2024
Mac Siri: Another Proud RIS Talent on the K-pop Stage
Mac Siri, from the Class of 2025, has captured hearts both in Thailand and internationally. Before his participation in Universe League, Mac showcased his musical talent on The Voice Kids Thailand (2019), where he won, and on The Golden Song (2021), further proving his impressive vocal abilities. Now competing in South Korea and following in the footsteps of fellow alum Pharita of BABYMONSTER, Mac is a rising star, and we are excited to watch his journey unfold. Wishing him continued success as he takes his dreams to the global stage!
OCTOBER 2024
His Excellency Sarun Charoensuwan Welcomes RIS Students in France
RIS Class of 1982 alum and Thai Ambassador to France, His Excellency Sarun Charoensuwan, greeted a group of RIS students in Paris on October 22, 2024. The students were in the city to participate in the prestigious iGEM 2024 Grand Jamboree, held at the Paris Expo – Porte de Versailles from October 23-26. The event brought together high school and university students from around the world to showcase their work in synthetic biology, aimed at addressing global challenges. This year, the RIS team presented their research on producing and transferring puerarin—a compound used to treat neurodegenerative diseases—through more accessible plant species.
OCTOBER 2024
Pear and Ambassador Suriya Share Memorable Moment at Stanford
In October 2024, Manyasiri “Pear” Chotbunwong (RIS Class of 2023), founder of MANYASIRI skincare, had the privilege of meeting Thai Ambassador to the United States, His Excellency Suriya Chindawongse (RIS Class of 1984), at Stanford University. The event, hosted by the Stanford Thai Student Association, was a warm and down-to-earth gathering, where Ambassador Suriya joined students for a lively Thai food luncheon at Thai Farmhouse, karaoke fun, and a tour of Stanford’s campus.
Pear, who presented Ambassador Suriya with her Silk Sericin Ritual Set to showcase Thai culture and craftsmanship, shared how the Ambassador’s approachable nature and genuine care for students made the event unforgettable. The meeting was an inspiring and memorable exchange between these two alumni of different generations, representing the strong ties of RIS and their passion for promoting Thai culture and community.
OCTOBER 2024
RIS Alumni Behind Dragonfly: Inspiring Change Through the H.E.A.L. Summit 2024
Dragonfly, co-founded by RIS alumni Pam Pranapda Phornprapha Chirathivat (RIS Class of 1994), Cindy Sirinya Bishop (Class of 1996), and Woody Milintachinda (Class of 1994), continues to champion inclusion, empowerment, and well-being on a global stage. Their H.E.A.L. Summit 2024 brought together leaders, world-renowned speakers like Steven Bartlett, Sadhguru, and Yuval Noah Harari, and transformative workshops to promote harmony, acceptance, and love. Held in Bangkok, the summit united attendees from diverse sectors, proving Dragonfly’s mission to inspire leaders to “Lead Well.”
A heartfelt congratulations to these visionaries on continuing to make such an impact year after year!
NOVEMBER 2024
Aim Elected NZTCC President
Aim Amarit Charoenphan, RIS Class of 2005, was recently elected President of the New Zealand Thai Chamber of Commerce (NZTCC) for the upcoming term. With an extensive history of collaboration with New Zealand, Aim is committed to advancing private-sector partnerships in areas like science, technology, and digital innovation. His leadership coincides with Thailand and New Zealand’s robust bilateral trade relations, now set to triple by 2045.
Adding to his efforts, Aim is organizing the highly anticipated New Zealand Ball 2025, happening on March 1 in Bangkok. Featuring the theme “A Journey to Middle-earth,” the event promises a magical night of Kiwi culture, including entertainment from the celebrated Kuhtze Band.
NOVEMBER 2024
Sanjay Wraps Up Thailand Blockchain Week 2024
Sanjay Popli, RIS Class of 2005, recently completed another successful Thailand Blockchain Week in 2024. As Co-Founder and CEO of Cryptomind Group, Sanjay has been at the forefront of this event, which has grown into Thailand’s largest blockchain gathering. This year’s edition included his session, “How to Keep Up with Crypto’s Rapidly Changing Narratives,” drawing attendees from around the globe. Sanjay expressed gratitude to the community driving Web3 innovation and solidifying Thailand as a key hub for blockchain technology.
NOVEMBER 2024
Jackie Championing Thailand’s Digital Future
Jackie Wang, Google Country Director for Thailand and the Philippines, who hails from the RIS Class of 1998, recently highlighted insights from the e-Conomy SEA 2024 report, which reveals Thailand’s rapid rise as a digital economy leader in Southeast Asia. With growth across eCommerce, online travel, and digital financial services, Thailand’s tech sector is booming. Jackie’s leadership at Google plays a crucial role in supporting these advancements.
In addition, Google Thailand recently announced a $1 billion investment in a new data center in Chonburi, further supporting AI adoption and fostering innovation in the country.
NOVEMBER 2024
Rirkrit Continues to Redefine Contemporary Art
Rirkrit Tiravanija, a world-renowned artist from the RIS Class of 1979, continues to reshape the global art scene with his immersive, participatory installations. His groundbreaking retrospective at London’s Whitechapel Gallery in July 2024 earned critical acclaim for its innovative approach. Currently showcasing his Berlin exhibition DAS GLÜCK IST NICHT IMMER LUSTIG (Happiness is Not Always Fun) at Gropius Bau, Tiravanija uses communal meals to explore themes of migration and identity. He is also serving as the Artistic Director and co-curator for the 2024 Art Spectrum biennial in Korea, further solidifying his influence in contemporary art.
DECEMBER 2024
Jensen Drives AI Innovation in Thailand
Did you know that Jensen Huang, Founder, President, and CEO of NVIDIA—the world’s second-largest company by market capitalization—once studied at RIS Ruamrudee International School from 1968 to 1972? During his recent visit to Thailand, Huang met with Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra to discuss AI investments and attended the launch of SIAM.AI CLOUD’s NVIDIA H100 GPU cluster, a significant leap for Thailand’s AI infrastructure. Huang fondly recalled his years at Ruamrudee during a dialogue with Thai officials and stakeholders, including the Prime Minister, underscoring his enduring connection to the country. Huang’s efforts are advancing AI development in healthcare, smart agriculture, and education across the region.
Listen to Jensen reminiscing about living in Thailand and going to Ruamrudee here. Watch Jensen meeting Thailand’s Prime Minister here.
DECEMBER 2024
RIS Class of 2010 Alum Excelling in the World of Professional Golf
In September 2024, Prima Thammaraks took the lead in the first round of the Singha-SAT Thai LPGA Masters 2024 at Hua Hin. Her spectacular 6-under-par 66, featuring eight birdies, placed her ahead in this prestigious tournament, which brought together golfers from 12 nations.
Meanwhile, in December 2024, Gunn Charoenkul advanced to the third round of the LIV Golf Promotions tournament in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, with a remarkable 5-under-par round. Competing for a $1.5 million prize, Gunn is aiming for a spot in the 2025 LIV Golf League.
Prima and Gunn, both from the RIS Class of 2010, exemplify RIS alumni excellence, making significant strides in the global golf scene.
DECEMBER 2024
Eric is RIS’s First NCAA Division 1 Basketball Player
Eric Xingye Zheng, a proud member of the RIS Class of 2023, has etched his name in RIS history as the first alumnus to compete in NCAA Division 1 basketball. Representing the Seattle University Redhawks, Eric’s accomplishment showcases his skill, perseverance, and the unique challenges international school athletes face when reaching such elite levels in U.S. collegiate sports.
Celebrate Eric’s journey and support him by checking out his exclusive Eric Zheng Collection fan gear here.
Stay tuned for more uplifting stories of success and impact, and continue to support RIS alumni as they reach for the stars—Ad Astra Ruamrudee! 🌠
