Chayapol Vanichsavasdvichai

China Europe International Business School

“I may not be the smartest, but I am the hardest-working, humble, optimistic, and friendly person.”

Hometown: Bangkok, Thailand

Fun fact about yourself: Because I look Chinese, people automatically assume I speak fluent Mandarin. When they find out I couldn’t speak a single word at the start of my MBA, they’re obviously disappointed. Yet, when Western foreigner saying just “你好” (hello) would get endless praise. Despite having Chinese ancestry, I never learned the language growing up, making me the most unexpected non-Chinese speaker in the room.

Undergraduate School and Degree: Chulalongkorn University – Bachelor’s in Industrial Engineering (Second-Class Honors)

Where was the last place you worked before enrolling in business school?

Thai Biz Interproducts Co., Ltd – General manager

Tech Polymer Co., Ltd – Sales Manager

Where did you intern during the summer of 2024?

Bosch (Shanghai, China) – Product Manager

Automobility (Shanghai, China) – Consultant

Where will you be working after graduation? Shopee – Strategy Assistant Manager

Community Work and Leadership Roles in Business School:

President of Student Ambassadors

Member of TEDxCEIBS

Leader of Thailand Trek

Which academic or extracurricular achievement are you most proud of during business school? As President of the Student Ambassadors, I strongly believe that attracting high-quality candidates is critical to strengthening the school’s reputation. A strong class benefits everyone – current students, alumni, and future graduates. That’s why I dedicated myself to helping CEIBS recruit top prospects through various initiatives, including MBA experience day, MBA student reception, Beyond Border Camp, promotional videos, and KOL interviews.

What achievement are you most proud of in your professional career? My previous company primarily operated in B2B, but faced financial struggles during COVID-19. Seeing an opportunity, I launched an e-commerce store on platforms like Lazada and Shopee. Within a few months, we generated THB 1 million in revenue. This not only helped the company survive the crisis, but also enabled us to expand operations, hire more employees, and invest in new assets.

Why did you choose this business school? One of the best ways to stay competitive and increase profit margins is by importing from China. That’s why I only considered business schools in China. Among them, CEIBS stood out as the top-ranked program in China and Asia, making it the perfect choice for my career goals.

Who was your favorite MBA professor? My favorite professors are Prof. Bala Ramasamy and Prof. Hyun Young Park.

Prof. Bala Ramasamy – He explains economics in a simple yet profound way, and his deep expertise allows him to answer even the most difficult questions with ease.

Prof. Hyun Yong Park – Her marketing classes are eye-opening. She challenges students to think beyond the text book, making every session an exciting learning experience.

What was your favorite course as an MBA? Initially, I thought finance was just another core subject, which is useful only for finance professionals. However, during my internship at Bosch, I realized it’s one of the most critical skills in business. When presenting to executives, financial impact is often their top concern. This course gave me the ability to analyze business decisions through financial metrics, a skill I now use every day.

Looking back over your MBA experience, what is the one thing you’d do differently and why? I wish I had studied Chinese before starting my MBA. Academically, English was enough, but outside the classroom, language barriers limited my experiences. Technology in China makes life easier – ordering food, paying bills, and navigating the city don’t require speaking Mandarin. But I missed out on deeper cultural and business interactions that could have accelerated my language skills.

What is the biggest myth about your school? The dean, Prof. Shameen Prashantham, warned us at the beginning: “Time flies.” He was right. Terms 1 and 2 were academically intense, and before I knew it, the MBA was nearly over. Looking back, I can’t believe how fast 1.5 years have passed. It’s been an incredible journey, full of unforgettable moments.

CEIBS is the definition of “work hard, play harder.” During the day, we are fully immersed in case discussions, class participation, and assignments. At night, we celebrate like there’s no tomorrow. The balance between academic and social life is what makes this journey truly special. Time really does fly, but the friendships, experiences, and lessons will last a lifetime.

What did you love most about your business school’s town? If you want to explore China, Shanghai is the best place to start.

1. Cultural Mix: A perfect blend of East and West – one day, you’re enjoying an authentic Sichuan spicy hot pot, and the next, you’re having a European-style brunch in downtown. The city embraces both traditional Chinese and international festivals, from Chinese Spring Festival to Christmas, making it a truly global city.

2. Convenience & Tech: Everything is digital. No need for a wallet and card – just your phone. Transport is affordable, with the metro, buses, ride-hailing, and bike-sharing making travel effortless.

3. Safety: Strict law enforcement means low crime rates. I’ve never worried about theft or physical violence, and every foreigner I know agree – it’s a city where you can truly feel secure

What movie or television show best reflects the realities of business and what did you learn from it? As a former entrepreneur, I relate most to the Pursuit of Happyness. The protagonist struggles, fails, and keeps pushing forward until he succeeds. That’s how business works. Hard work and resilience don’t guarantee success, but without them, failure is certain.

I started with an unpaid internship, hoping it would lead to bigger opportunities. Later, I launched multiple business ideas – most failed, but I remained optimistic and adaptable. In business, trends and demands constantly change, so staying resilient and open to learning is key.

What is one way that your business school has integrated AI into your programming? What insights did you gain from using AI? AI is great for learning general knowledge, but for specialized tasks like planning and strategy, it still lacked depth. I use AI mainly for polishing ideas and saving time on routine tasks, while still crafting my own narratives to enhance logic and creativity.

Which MBA classmate do you most admire? I would like to take this opportunity to express my gratitude to the TEDxCEIBS team, who made my MBA experience truly incredible. TEDxCEIBS became a resounding success, earning widespread recognition and enhancing CEIBS’ reputation. Among them, I particularly admire Miya Ding, our leader, for her exceptional leadership and dedication.

Leading a volunteer-based initiative like TEDxCEIBS is no easy task, but Miya carefully selected a trustworthy team, striking a balance between friendship and professionalism. She created an environment where each team member felt valued, bringing out the best in everyone. Moreover, she acted as the glue that kept the team united. Despite being the hardest-working member, she never sought sole credit – she humbly shared the success with the entire team. Even after the event concluded nearly a year ago, our team remains close. Miya exemplifies the essence of women’s leadership which I really admire.

What are the top two items on your professional bucket list?

1. Drive impactful business strategies: Before graduation, I received several attractive offers from leading companies. However, beyond salary considerations, I chose Shopee because I firmly believe in its potential to improve people’s lives. As a strategy assistant manager at Shopee Xpress, my goal is to enhance customer convenience by shortening delivery times, minimizing errors, and optimizing costs. I want to ensure that customers receive their orders faster and more reliably, with a seamless return process that enhances their overall shopping experience.

2. Take care of my family: While I’m passionate about my career, financial stability is equally important to me – not for early retirement, but to support my family’s well-being and ensure they have the freedom to pursue their aspirations. My goal is to strike a balance between professional growth and personal fulfillment, allowing me to excel at work while also spending quality time with my family. I don’t see myself stepping away from work entirely, but rather finding joy in both my career and my family life.

What made Oat such an invaluable addition to the Class of 2025?

“Oat is an outstanding student who consistently excels in both academics and extracurricular activities. His academic performance places him among the top students in his cohort, demonstrating not only his diligence but also his intellectual capability. In addition to his academic achievements, Oat has shown remarkable leadership and initiative in his involvement with the school community. As President of the Student Ambassadors, he has played a key role in promoting the CEIBS MBA program to prospective candidates, working closely with our MBA Admissions & Marketing team. His efforts were instrumental in the success of various initiatives, including the organization of Thailand Trek and TEDxCEIBS, which showcased his organizational skills, teamwork, and dedication to the CEIBS community.

Oat’s leadership in these initiatives speaks volumes about his commitment and responsibility. He consistently goes above and beyond in fulfilling his duties, not only completing tasks with great attention to detail but also offering his support to a variety of activities. He demonstrates a high level of motivation and a strong sense of responsibility, traits that are essential for success in any program or professional setting.”

Shelley NIE
Head of Marketing
CEIBS MBA Program

DON’T MISS: MBAS TO WATCH: CLASS OF 2025

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