- Chaimongkol Worapinpong, Group Leader at Samsung C&T’s Bangkok office, was named the 2025 overseas recipient of the Best T&I Employee Award
- With 29 years of experience in Thailand’s chemical sector, he has helped grow the Bangkok office through deep product expertise and strong supplier relationships
On the 87th Foundation Day of Samsung C&T, Chaimongkol Worapinpong, Group Leader at the Bangkok office, was named the recipient of the 2025 Best T&I Employee Award for overseas branches. With nearly three decades of experience in Thailand’s chemical sector, Worapinpong has contributed to both the stability and growth of the Bangkok operation, laying the groundwork for what it is today.
His award recognizes a career built on establishing core business pillars in Thailand’s chemical trade, expanding fertilizer sales, and cultivating supplier satisfaction. His deep product knowledge, market insights, and business network have made him a trusted leader in the region.
Mastering the Chemical Trade, One Product at a Time
Worapinpong’s journey with Samsung C&T began 29 years ago. Since then, he has worked across a wide spectrum of products, from synthetic resins and petrochemicals to specialty chemicals and fertilizers. Each product came with its own complexities, and he approached them with curiosity and persistence.
“Synthetic resins are used in thousands of everyday products. While the market is vast, the specifications vary greatly depending on application and supplier, so pricing becomes a key differentiator,” he explains. “Petrochemicals, on the other hand, are fluid and high-risk, mostly traded under long-term contracts. That requires sharp market analysis and strategic timing.”
He also emphasizes that specialty chemicals rely heavily on strong supplier relationships and structured import channels in order to maintain relationships with established long-term customers. And as for fertilizers, once a major challenge for the Bangkok office, he’s now helping drive a resurgence by strengthening both supply and customer outreach.
Turning Crisis into Opportunity
Under Worapinpong’s leadership, the Bangkok office achieved impressive growth between 2020 and 2024, despite global disruptions like the COVID-19 pandemic and the war in Ukraine.
“In a way, the crisis gave us a chance to shine,” he reflects. “There were major disruptions in logistics and product imbalances that we’d never seen before. But instead of pulling back, we used that time to refocus, reshaping product strategies and strengthening customer trust.”
His philosophy centers around trust and sincerity, values that transcend borders. “In both Thailand and Korea, what truly matters in business is honesty. If your client knows why they should work with you, everything else falls into place.”
This mindset, coupled with a clear understanding of his own strengths and weaknesses, helped him present tailored solutions to clients, even in tough times.
“At the end of the day, we’re here to solve problems, finding solutions for clients. There are moments when we must step back, and others when we need to go the extra mile. In sales, sincerity and objectivity go hand in hand. Over time, clients come to see and trust your intentions.”
Planting Seeds for the Future
Despite market volatility, Worapinpong sees untapped opportunity in Thailand. As a middle-income developing nation where agriculture still occupies 46 percent of the land, Thailand remains a key global food supplier and popular tourist destination.
“Those two pillars, agriculture and tourism, are fueling growth in food, construction, and agricultural materials. That’s why we’re expanding our fertilizer business, sourcing new suppliers and reaching new customer segments.”
The Bangkok office is now preparing for long-term success by nurturing sustainable operations and identifying high-potential areas for growth.
Leadership as a Way of Life
For Worapinpong, the next chapter isn’t just about business. It’s about leadership.
“A good leader is like a ship captain,” he says. “They must know every part of the ship and how it operates. That means understanding each team function, its limits, and the people behind it.”
He believes effective leadership means guiding the team toward a common goal, through example, not just instruction.
“My goal is to foster constructive collaboration. A leader must be honest, transparent, and fair. By sharing both successes and failures, we help the team grow together.”
Now celebrating a well-earned award, Worapinpong sees this recognition as a moment to pause, reflect, and move forward with renewed purpose.
“When I first heard I won, I didn’t realize the full weight of the award. But once I saw the journey behind it, along with all the support from colleagues, it was deeply moving. I’m truly grateful for the Seoul office’s solid support and our amazing team in Bangkok. This award is for them.”
Enduring Commitment, Lasting Impact
Chaimongkol Worapinpong’s 29-year career stands as a quiet but powerful testament to what it means to grow alongside a market. With each shift in global dynamics, he stayed grounded in consistency, deepened his local expertise, and supported his team with clarity and care. His approach has never been about bold moves for attention, but steady progress rooted in trust. As Samsung C&T continues to expand in Thailand and beyond, his story reminds us that lasting impact often begins with long-standing dedication and the resolve to keep building, even when no one is watching.
