Biography
Chartsiri Sophonpanich is President of Bangkok Bank, Thailand’s leading corporate and business bank and one of the largest banks in ASEAN.
Since opening its first overseas branch in Hong Kong in 1954, the bank has played a leading role in the economic development of Thailand and ASEAN, as well as building international business relationships in major economies around the world, including China, Japan, the US and the UK. Under Mr. Chartsiri’s leadership the bank has doubled its international branch network, expanded its branch presence across ASEAN, and became the first Thai bank to have a local banking license in China. Bangkok Bank’s international network of 31 branches in 14 economies is the largest of any Thai bank.
Bangkok Bank’s domestic operation in Thailand includes more than 1,100 branches and approximately 240 business centers and business desks, along with an extensive self-service network. Its digital banking services are continually being expanded to support evolving lifestyle trends and include the award-winning mobile-banking service, Bualuang mBanking.
Along with its successful commercial operations, the bank is also a strong supporter of Thailand’s community and plays an active role in many social development and educational initiatives.
Mr. Chartsiri has won many awards for Bangkok Bank during his tenure, including Thailand’s Best Bank from The Banker and Euromoney, and Bank of the Year from Thailand’s Money and Banking magazine on many occasions, most recently in 2018. He has also received highly prestigious awards honoring his leadership. In 2019 Mr. Chartsiri received the Banker of the Year award from Money and Banking for the second time. He received the award for the first time in 2001. In 2005 he received the Achievement Award for Leadership in Thailand from the Asian Banker magazine and also the Robert H. Goddard Alumni Award from Worcester Polytechnic Institute for exceptional achievement in business.
Mr. Chartsiri is a Director of Post Publishing PCL, a Member of the National Strategy Committee and the National Economic Reform Committee, sits on the Board of the National Science and Technology Development Agency, is a Director of TRG Management LP and TRG Allocation LLC, and is a Member of the Board of Trustees of Bangkok University. He holds Master’s degrees in management and chemical engineering from Massachusetts Institute of Technology and a Bachelor’s degree in chemical engineering from Worcester Polytechnic Institute.