Meet the young Thai trailblazers featured on Forbes list
Seven young Thais have earned their spot on the prestigious Forbes Under 30 Asia 2024 list. These trailblazers join the ranks of 300 influential under-30s from 21 countries, making waves across categories like entertainment, sports, technology, finance, healthcare, and social impact.
Among the standout achievers, India leads with 86 honourees, followed by 32 each from China and Japan. Singapore boasts 27, while Australia and Indonesia follow with 26 and 18 respectively. Here are the remarkable Thais who made the cut:
Vachirawit “Bright” Chivaaree
In the entertainment and sports category, this 26 year old dynamic actor, singer, and entrepreneur boasts a massive social media following: 18.5 million on Instagram and 5 million on X. In 2020, he launched ASTRO Stuffs, a sustainable fashion brand. Three years later, he founded Cloud9 Entertainment, an artist management agency, and partnered with Universal Music Thailand to promote Thai talent globally.
Atthaya “Jeeno” Thitikul
Also in the entertainment and sports category, 20 year old Atthaya is a golfing prodigy. She became the youngest golfer to win a professional tournament at just 14. Ranked as the world’s top female golfer, she was named LPGA Tour Rookie of the Year in 2022 and won the LPGA Vare Trophy in 2023 for the lowest scoring average of 69.533.
Ty Lertwichaiworawit and Mint Leung
In consumer technology, Ty and Mint, both 29, co-founded the WeGoWhere social networking app. With over 500,000 users, the app helps people build and manage real-life relationships. The duo secured US$1.3 million (around 47.6 million baht) in funding from US and Singapore investors to enhance user experience and expand across Southeast Asia.
Khanisorn Meepong
Also excelling in consumer technology, 28 year old Khanisorn co-founded 24X, a maintenance and handyman service. With 50,000 customers in Thailand and Singapore, 24X secured US$4.3 million in funding in 2023. The company plans to launch an IPO in Thailand to raise additional funds.
Plengrhambhai “Pleng” Kruesopon and Pynbhairoh “Pyn” Kruesopon
In the social impact category, this sister duo founded Care for Coral, Thailand’s first youth-led coral restoration non-profit. Studying pre-law at Stanford, 20 year old Pleng and 16 year old Pyn, a student in Bangkok, earned the Most Outstanding Youth Organisation award last year. They were also honoured with the Gold Ocean Conservationist medal by the Thai government for their conservation efforts and youth activism, reported The Nation.
