Stock Exchange of Thailand Market Open
October 2, 2017

(Bangkok, October 2, 2017) Women executives and entrepreneurs led by Corporate Women Directors International (CWDI) President Irene Natividad and The Stock Exchange of Thailand (SET) President Kesara Manchusree opened SET to salute the contributions of Thai women to the country’s economy. Brought together by CWDI, a Washington, DC-based organization which researches and promotes women on boards globally, this historic all-women Market Open marked the 20^th CWDI-organized opening of stock exchanges around the world to highlight the presence of women in business leadership.

“I am so pleased to hold our 20^th Market Open in Bangkok, which has a vibrant cadre of women in business,” states CWDI Chair Natividad.  “It’s important that women are seen as part of business traditions such as the ringing of the opening bell at the stock exchange. Thai women are vital players in the Thai economy and deserve recognition.”Natividad added that she was particularly pleased that this special event takes place at one of the few stock exchanges in the world headed by a woman.  SET President Manchusree was equally delighted to host the event. “I am honored that we could mark an important milestone for Thai women and for CWDI at our exchange today. In Thailand, the number of women that hold board seats has been continuously increasing, mainly due to increasing career opportunities on top of their own capabilities. Equality is ideal but actually concrete opportunities to show their abilities are more than enough. The growing employment and economic opportunities for women also create more sustainable economy and society,” Manchusree said.

Recent research from CWDI shows that despite the substantial presence of women in a number of visible leadership positions in Thailand in recent years, the percentage of women who serve on the Boards of Directors of top companies in the country remains a work in progress.  The 2017 CWDI Report on Women Board Directors in the Asia-Pacific Region, which examined the 100 largest listed companies in 20 economies in the region, places Thailand 7^th in the ranking with 14.4% women on boards, slightly better than the regional average of 12.8%.  The percentage of women directors may still be low, but there is one sign of progress – among Thailand’s 100 largest companies, 82 have at least one woman director.  After the SET Market Open, CWDI Chair Irene Natividad gave a status report on women directors globally.