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Sports:
KhunyingPatama Leeswadtrakul

KhunyingPatama,the first the only Thai woman elected to the International Olympic Committee (IOC), is a very influential and dynamic woman whose seen success in various business fields ranging from steel to hotels, hospitals and real estate.

Achievement

KhunyingPatama is the only Thai woman elected to the International Olympic Committee (IOC), the world’s largest sport organisation.

Education

2013-2017
  • Honorary Doctorate Degrees in various fields awarded by Ramkhamhaeng University, Lampang Rajabhat University, Mahidol University, Rajamangala University of Technology Phra Nakhon, Christian University and Thailand National Sports University
2012
  • Master of Science in Human Resources Development, University of Manchester
2007
  • Master of Business Administration, Ramkhamhaeng University
2004
  • Bachelor of Art in Economics, Ramkhamhaeng University
  • Assumption Commercial College
  • St Francis Xavier School

IOC Profile

2020-present
  • Chair of the Culture and Olympic Heritage Commission
  • Member of the IOC Commission on Olympic Solidarity
2018-2019
  • Member of the Culture and Olympic Heritage Commission

Work Experience

  • Executive Board Member of G Steel Group
  • Chairwoman of the Cultural Promotion Fund, Department of Cultural Promotion, Ministry of Culture
  • Chairwoman of the Thailand Philharmonic Orchestra
  • Board of directors of the Thailand Institute of Justice
  • Honorary chairwoman and founder of the Thailand Choral Association
  • Chairwoman of the Homeland Patriots Club

STEELY RESOLVE PAYS OFF

KhunyingPatama Leeswadtrakul is a highly successful and talented businesswoman, with many accomplishments to her name.

She is undoubtedly a very influential and dynamic woman whose seen success in various business fields ranging from steel to hotels, hospitals and real estate. She is also the co-founder of G Steel Group, one of the largest steel producers in the country.

She has also been entrusted with chairing corporate social responsibility activities. Recently G Steel Group welcomed one of the largest steel companies in the world as its major shareholder and its management and leadership are in the hands of professionals with a plan of turning it into a world-leading company.

However, KhunyingPatama is also a noted philanthropist, supporting sports, music, culture and education, as well as hospitals and helping people on the periphery.

She was elected to the International Olympic Committee (IOC) in 2017. In so doing, she became the first Thai woman, and the fourth person from her country, to hold such a post after Field Marshal Praphas Charusathien (1971-1974), Air Chief Marshal Dawee Chullasapya (1974-1989) and Dr Nat Intrapana (1989-2017).

She was also appointed chairwoman of the IOC Commission for Culture and Olympic Heritage in 2020 and a member of the IOC Commission for Olympic Solidarity in 2020.

KhunyingPatama as president of the Badminton Association of Thailand Under the Patronage of His Majesty the King (BAT) was entrusted by the Badminton World

Federation (BWF) with organising three consecutive BWF tournaments in Thailand in January 2021 at the peak of the Covid-19 pandemic.

KhunyingPatama ensured the Asian leg was organised under “bubble quarantine” protocols to ensure health safety for all participants in the tournaments. Strict and effective Covid-19 countermeasures were implemented and such was their success. The protocols used in Thailand became a blueprint for delivering the Summer Olympic Games in Tokyo in 2020 and other international competitions worldwide.

Under KhunyingPatama’s leadership of the BAT, Thai shuttlers improved remarkably and successfully competed on the international stage, including in the SEA Games in Malaysia in 2017 where they won four gold medals.

As BAT president, KhunyingPatama also supports the “Young Badminton Way of Change” project, which is a joint effort between the Department of Juvenile Observation and Protection, the BBG Club and BAT.

The project uses sport as a means to steer social change and respond to diverse social problems. Many juveniles who join become professional players.

Since taking on the role of BAT president, she has helped discover more than 50 world-class Thai badminton players.

KhunyingPatama was appointed a member of the Committee on National Reform on Culture, Sports, Labour and Human Resource Development, and made chairwoman of the Sub-Committee for National Sports Reform under that committee.

The National Reform Plan on Sports proposed by the sub-committee encourages Thais to integrate regular exercise into their daily routine.

More sports facilities around the country will be provided. One of the main purposes is to use sport as a form of “preventive medicine” so Thais stay in good health and suffer less sickness like office syndrome and noncommunicable diseases (NCDs).

The plan also aims to develop athletes as well as sports personnel. Activities include the recruitment of potential athletes, training, creation of a full-time athletic system and skills development for referees and judges.

KhunyingPatama is also a music lover. As chairwoman of the Thailand Philharmonic Orchestra, chairwoman of the advisers to the Bangkok Opera as well as honorary president and founder of the Thailand Choral Association, she draws on her energy to motivate a love for music in society, and promote a greater quality of life, especially among youths, to help make the world a better place to live.

As for corporate social responsibility, KhunyingPatama has made a positive impact on the life of blind students in Samphran district of Nakon Pathom province, through vocational training.

Consequently, after graduation, the students can get good work to earn a decent living.

She also holds the position of chairwoman of the National Good Governance Society which supports the poor and encourages soldiers, police, and the public upcountry, especially in the southern provinces. The group helps the victims of natural disasters and promotes peace in the country.

KhunyingPatama has donated about 450 million baht for medical equipment, public health initiatives, and the construction of new buildings at hospitals including Ramathibodhi, Siriraj, Chulalongkorn, Police, Phra Mongkut, Ban Somdej and Children hospitals.

She is also a central committee member of the Ramathibodhi Foundation which supports the well-being of people and public health by producing more doctors and healthcare professionals, helping research and innovation and acquiring modern medical equipment and facilities.

This year, KhunyingPatama has been presented with the “Value of the Land: Pride and Dignity of Thais” award by Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha in recognition of her endeavours, contributions to society and outstanding virtue. The award ceremony will be held tomorrow.

“ KhunyingPatama also supports the “Young Badminton Way of Change” project, she has helped discover more than 50 world-class Thai badminton players. ”