BANGKOK, Oct. 31, 2013 /PRNewswire-iReach/ -- Renowned Thai entrepreneurs were honored in a lavish Gala at the Asia Pacific Entrepreneurs Awards 2013. The awards are presented by Enterprise Asia, a leading non- governmental organisation for entrepreneurship.

(Photo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20131031/MN08006)

Past winners included such luminaries as Thailand's Kobchai Chirathivat, Subin Bhatia, Pravit C. Pong and Kitti Jivacate, Malaysia's Tan Sri Teh Hong Piow, Tan Sri Azman Hashim and Tan Sri Yeoh Tiong Lay, Singapore's Yao Hsiao Tung, Indonesia's Mochtar Riady, Ciputra and Chairul Tanjung, Hong Kong's Dr Lui Chee-Wo and Lawrence Ho, Brunei's Pehin Lau Ah Kok,  and India's Brijmohan Lall Munjal and Adi Gorej.

The awards are now presented annually in 12 countries across Asia, and are the largest and most stringent awards of its kind in this region. Each nominee undergoes extensive quantitative research and score-carding, compulsory site audit, and have to demonstrate a consistent and outstanding adoption of responsible practices and people-centric policies, prior to being shortlisted for judging by a panel of local and international judges.

Recognising Thailand's Finest Entrepreneurs

Only twelve entrepreneurs out of over eighty applicants made it through the process and emerged as winners at this years awards. At the top of the list is the President & CEO of Sukosol Hotel, Khun Kamala Sukosol who received the Lifetime Achievement Award.

Dr. Fong Chan Onn, chairman of Enterprise Asia commented, "We believe the true foundation of any nations economy lies in its entrepreneurial resources. We hope that with a recognition program like the APEA, we would be able to encourage more entrepreneurs to come up and support their nations growth through their businesses".

"Thailand is becoming a force to be reckoned with in its entrepreneurial ecosystem. There is no lack of enterprising minds in Thailand, and we believe that there will be a greater emergence of new entrepreneurs in the years to come," said Fong.

William Ng, president of Enterprise Asia added, "APEA adopts a regional yardstick, so every nominee is judged at the same level, regardless of whether they are from Singapore or China, Hong Kong or Vietnam. I believe that with every passing year and as Thailands' entrepreneurs continue to emerge and evolve, we will see an increase in the number of winners meeting the stringent criteria.

Wandee Khunchornyakong, winner of the Woman Entrepreneur of the Year Award, says, "As a leader, one has to be able to foresee that which is unseen by others," she continues. "By being just one or a few steps ahead, numerous opportunities are waiting for you. But I believe that greed has to be set aside so your business can grow sustainably alongside everyone else."

Full List of Winners of Asia Pacific Entrepreneurship Awards 2013 Thailand:

Lifetime Achievement AwardKamala Sukosol, Sukosol Hotel

Woman Entrepreneur of the YearWandee Khunchornyakong, SPCG Public Company Limited

Outstanding Entrepreneurship AwardsNusara (Assakul) Banyatpiyaphod, Ocean Life Insurance Public Company LimitedWoravit Chailimpamontri, Government Savings Bank,ThailandSmith Wattanaporn, Suree Interfoods Co.,LTDVitorn Sukanjanapong, Vee Rubber Corporation LTD.Chaiwat Utaiwan, Bangkok Metro Public Company LimitedSara Lamsam, Muang Thai Life Assurance PCLPravesvudhi Raiva, S&P Syndicate PCLDr. Pailin Chuchottaworn, PTT PCL

Most Promising Entrepreneurship AwardsRoland Hoehn, Stiebel Eltron Asia (Thailand).LTDPornsak Tantapakul, Bangkok International Dental Center Co.,LTD

About Enterprise Asia

Enterprise Asia, headquartered in Hong Kong, is the leading non-governmental think tank for the development of entrepreneurship across the region and in the promotion of opportunities and fair ground rules for emerging entrepreneurs. Enterprise Asia champions honest, fair, and responsible entrepreneurship across Asia.

The organisation believes the true foundation of any nation's economy lies in its entrepreneurial resources; which if properly nurtured can be the most potent asset for sustainable and predictable economic planning. With entrepreneurial spirit ingrained within a country's culture, numerous social and economic issues, including urban poverty, urban-rural income disparity, racial or cultural-sensitive dynamics, labour exploitation and economic slavery can be diminished and eventually be eradicated.

Enterprise Asia works with governments, NGO's and other organizations to promote competitiveness and entrepreneurial development, in uplifting the economic status of people across Asia and in ensuring a legacy of hope, innovation and courage for our children.

For more information about Enterprise Asia and its numerous programs, visit www.enterpriseasia.org.

About Asia Pacific Entrepreneurship Awards (APEA)

Organised by Enterprise Asia, the Asia Pacific Entrepreneurship Awards are a world- class recognition celebrating and honoring business leaders who have shown outstanding performance and tenacity in developing successful businesses within the Asia Pacific region. APEA is now held annually in Brunei, China, Hong Kong, India, Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore, South Korea, Sri Lanka, Thailand, and Vietnam.

For further information, and the list of previous award winners of the Asia Pacific Entrepreneurship Awards, please visit – www.apea.asia.

For editorial contact:

Nasdev SinghProgram Manager Enterprise Asia Tel: +603 7803 0312 Email: n.singh@enterpriseasia.org

 

Media Contact: Nashdev Singh, Enterprise Asia, 603-780-3031, s.nashdev@enterpriseasia.org

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SOURCE Enterprise Asia

RELATED LINKShttp://www.enterpriseasia.org