Thailand is one among the only 9 countries in the world with higher or equivalent entrepreneurial participation by women in comparison to the male counterparts. Though the issue of women empowerment in Thailand is still a cause of concern, in the corporate world Thailand is deemed to have attained gender parity. The Thai society supports entrepreneurship and advocates new ventures and self-run businesses by its citizens.
There is no gender discrimination in this context. But, there have been reports of disparity in terms of funding and investment when it comes to women-owned businesses when compared with ventures run by men. Despite this, women owned SMEs are at a hike in the country and there have been several successful boss ladies coming out in the Thai corporate world. These women are overcoming this funding gap and taking charge by venturing out into every sector with their own business strategies.
Women and the Professional World
Women in Thailand have shown excellence in the corporate world and are known to excel in leadership roles. According to a few recent surveys, about 33% of the top management positions in Thailand are held by female entrepreneurs, which is definitely higher than the global average and even that in Asia.
Women in Thailand are now coming ahead by taking over and successfully running their family business, grasping at higher education opportunities and taking up mentoring and leadership roles at corporate giants. Thai women are seen to excel in the business world and they no longer shy away from taking challenges or setting up their own businesses.
Though the funding and investment gap and the high loan rejection rate for women run enterprises might be demotivating, the government of Thailand has been acknowledging the need to strategise and prioritise the designated programmes for supporting women entrepreneurs. They have addressed the pressing need to cater to challenges faced by female business owners at several steps in the process of starting their business. The future of women entrepreneurs not only looks promising but this also seems like the perfect time for them to prepare that business model and start their journey of becoming an entrepreneur.
Avenues for Female Professionals
Thailand is a land of opportunities for women looking to enter the corporate world. The economy of the country has gained pace in the last so many years, it is culturally rich, has a booming market and since it is a tourists’ favourite, it is obviously a melting pot of opportunities for potential business-women.
• Most Thai women have taken on the real estate and finance sector, and are known to have climbed the ladder to reach the top. Some of the most successful women executives in Thailand come from real estate firms or finance institutions. These women are said to be the driving forces in these industries and sit on almost one-third of the top positions. These industries offer opportunities for women if they look out for them, and are a definite road to success for the dedicated ones.
• In this travellers’ paradise, women-run businesses are the best possible avenues for any woman looking to kick start her career. Women in Thailand are successfully running several businesses- from small jewellery businesses behind the doors of their home to popular ecommerce platforms. Popular names like Sharinee Kalayanamitr are known for not only owning their own successful businesses but also helping other women succeed. Sharinee founded ‘Moxy’, an e-commerce and media site solely run by and for women. She aimed at creating a female ecosystem and providing the Thai women the opportunity to step up and start a career, by meeting other females.
• Tourism is one of the most opportune sectors in this country. Any woman looking to start something by herself can always choose from the plethora of options available for catering to the high tourist population. One can always start a catering business or even restaurant. Thailand is known for its exquisite and indegneious cuisine, and food never goes out of business. Even opening a hostel or a lodging service is bound to work out, looking at the needs of travellers.
• Max Simpson, is one of the names that comes forth when looking for a successful female entrepreneur in Thailand. She started her own coffee shop, but with the aim of empowering and training persons with disabilities and special needs, giving them employment opportunities. She is not only a successful business owner but is also a social activist and contributing to the society as a whole.
• As society is progressing, our issues and the need to combat them using modern techniques and practices are increasing as well. Women in Thailand have been taking up higher education opportunities and also contributing to the health and service sector. Not only this, even mental health professional Kanpassorn Suriyasangpetch, a former dentist for the Royal Thai Army, addressed the need for better mental health awareness and services and introduced a platform where anyone in need of help can contact professionals anonymously.
• Evidently, the healthcare sector, physical or mental, has a greater potential for women to take up important roles. Additionally, in the technological age, a unique application idea could not only lead to one’s personal success but even create further employment opportunities
As stated earlier, Thailand is no less than a melting pot of opportunities for women. There are opportunities for women in every sector and they can even make their own, like those named above. With Thailand’s moving economy, avenues for career oriented women are numerous, one only needs to look out for what’s best for them. Ranging from real estate and finance to catering, and from social activism to healthcare, there is little to no lack of opportunities. And any and every woman can become a boss woman in Thailand