Kobkarn Wattanavrangkul: A call from the Prime Minister to help the country

The former Thailand's Minister of Sports and Tourism received her education in architectural design. However, she’s pursued the business side of things, following in her parent’s footsteps. They started Toshiba Thailand Co. Ltd via a joint venture in the last 1960s.

Kobkarn went on the become the Chairperson of Toshiba Thailand. But little did she knows that her career path would one day entail serving as government minister - a challenge that she took up for three years.

Kobkarn was openly candid about her unexpected career path, having little or no knowledge about tourism and sports. Her decision to serve the country resulted from a phone call from current prime minister of Thailand, Prayut Chan-o-cha.

“One day I received a call from the prime minister, whether or not I could help the country. That was the main thing that helped me decide,” says Kobkarn.