Meet Shirley Roy—a bold, adventurous, and endlessly inspiring woman from Northeast India who’s making waves in Thailand. She’s not just an Indian Embassy representative; she’s also a business owner, community builder, and a go-to person for Indian expats navigating life in Thailand.
Read on to learn more about her journey, her businesses, and how she’s empowering women in this exclusive Indo Thai News feature.
From Manipur to Thailand
Shirley grew up in Delhi but hails from Manipur in Northeast India. In 2017, she took a huge leap: moving to Thailand to follow her dreams. “It was scary, but totally worth it,” she says. “I became an entrepreneur, a community leader, and somehow managed to build businesses that bring people together.”
Through the Northeast India Society (NEIS), Shirley started with just 10 friends meeting in a park. Today, her community has grown to over 125 members, hosting gatherings in school cafeterias. “It’s still about helping people, whether it’s getting emergency documents or finding medical care. That’s why we do this,” she shares.
Turning Ideas into Businesses
Shirley’s first business, Bloom, started because expats in Bangkok couldn’t easily find flowers. After moving to Phuket, she expanded into Tips & Trips, helping women plan fun and safe trips, and designed a line of enamel pins celebrating solo female travelers.
“Starting a business was terrifying,” she laughs. “I had no clue what I was doing. But I found amazing mentors like Amy Deiner and the Lioness of Siam group. They kept me going when everyone else said I’d fail.”
One of Shirley’s proudest moments was hosting Meenakshi, a woman who rode her motorcycle from Assam to Phuket, crossing continents on her own. “Seeing her wear my pins and call them her ‘badges of courage’ made me realize my work is about celebrating women who dare to explore,” she says.
Facing Challenges and Finding Your Tribe
Shirley admits the toughest part of being a woman entrepreneur wasn’t business—it was handling the pressure from her conservative community back home. “Every family gathering in Delhi was a grilling session: ‘When are you getting married?’ ‘Why aren’t you doing a proper job?’” she says.
Her breakthrough came when she stopped sharing plans with people who only saw one path for women. Instead, she built a support system of mentors and friends who understood her vision.
Northeast India and Thailand? More Connected Than You Think
Shirley often points out that Northeast India and Thailand share so much—from food to culture. “Fermented fish, bamboo shoots, slow-cooked stews—they’re everywhere. Even traditional dress and classical dance are strikingly similar,” she explains.
She encourages travelers to explore her homeland, highlighting the Seven Sisters states—Assam, Nagaland, Manipur, Mizoram, Tripura, Meghalaya, Arunachal Pradesh—and Sikkim. “If you drew a cultural map ignoring borders, Northeast India and Thailand would almost be like one big family,” she laughs.
Life, Work, Food, and Fun
Thailand became Shirley’s second home. Bangkok taught her networking and business skills; Phuket offers a relaxed, creative vibe. And the food? She can’t get enough of larb pla, tam khao phod (corn salad), and pak pong bpoo (crab curry).
When she’s not working, Shirley practices yoga, experiments with cooking, and takes her two Labrador puppies for chaotic beach walks. “Balance doesn’t mean perfection,” she says. “Some days are 12-hour work marathons. Other days, it’s sunset walks with the pups, brainstorming ideas for my next adventure.”
Inspiring Young Women
Shirley’s ultimate goal is to empower other women, especially from Northeast India. She dreams of workshops that teach practical life skills and encourage young women to chase their ideas.
“Trust that inner voice, even if it’s unconventional,” she says. “Find people who’ve actually done what you want to do. Your aunties will survive the shock, I promise!”
Looking Ahead
Shirley wants NEIS to grow even more, connecting students, professionals, and families across Thailand. For Tips & Trips, she hopes to continue helping women plan trips confidently—whether solo adventures or multi-generational vacations.
“Some days I think I’m running businesses. Most days, I realize I’m building bridges. And honestly? That’s exactly where I want to be,” she says.