Editorial | Chartsiri Sophonpanich, Bangkok Bank President: How to Thrive in Chaos

On Friday, 30 May 2025, Elite+ marked our 11th anniversary with a gala celebration. This was after having to postpone the event following the earthquake on Friday, 28 March 2025. Fortunately, not many of us suffered much, though there was some devastating damage and deaths here in Bangkok as well as Myanmar where the earthquake struck.

We were very honoured to have Bangkok Bank President Chartsiri Sophonpanich as our keynote speaker and we adapted his speech for our cover story as he tells us How to Thrive in Chaos in this digital disruptive era. Also honoured at the event was Brother Louis Wiriya Chantawarodom and the Brother Louis Chanel Foundation for all their tireless assistance to Thai society, which is discussed in our Country Portrait column.

We next introduce you to Ambassador Wilhelm Donko of Austria and Dr Nalinee Taveesin, President of Thailand Trade Representatives, who share their thoughts about trade as Thailand and the world face US President Donald Trump’s threats of imposing quite harsh tariffs.

After this, we take you to a majestic jazz tribute and dining at the gastronomic Torino delight, Zanotti Il Ristorante Italiano, before indulging in the serenity of the ancient Buddhist temples of Chiang Rai and Chiang Mai and then a search for the Pacific Walrus with Pongpol Adireksarn.

Then, after meeting Carter Xuan Duong, the spouse of HE Remco van Wijngaarden, the Netherland’s ambassador to Thailand, we are very pleased to share with you a beautiful translation by Dr Ora-Ong Chakorn of another short story by national artist Seksan Prasertkul, “The Good Citizen”, To complete this issue, Ezra Kyrill Erker shares some beautiful views of Phuket that can still be enjoyed by visitors just off the beaten track away from the hoards of holidaymakers.

I hope you do enjoy our first issue to inaugurate our twelfth year and completion of our first cycle.

Arthorn Techatada
Executive Editor