Board of Directors

The CTF was founded through the initiative of several distinguished Cantabs who shared the vision of enabling Thai students with exceptional academic records to study at Cambridge. The founding Board of Directors included Mr. Anand Panyarachun, KBE (Trinity 1952-1955), M.R. Sarisdiguna Kitiyakara (Magdalene 1957-1961), Dr. Sumet Jumsai (St. John's 1958-1967), Dr. Kovit Poshyananda (Fitzwilliam 1955-1958) and Dr. Utis Kaothien (Wolfson 1984-1989).

The first Board was subsequently expanded to its fully functioning capacity through the addition, as directors, of Prof. Kanung Luchai (Fitzwilliam 1960-1961), H.E. Mr. Michael Ramsey Melluish (HM British Ambassador), Dr. Anil Seal (Trinity 1955-1962), Prof. M.R. Jisnuson Svasti (Trinity 1964-1971) and Dr. Chirstopher Baker (Queens’ 1966-1969).

To date (2022), the CTF has had 19 Board members. Details of the current Board of Directors are listed for information and reference below.


hoto Credit: Mitya Ku

hoto Credit: Mitya Ku

Mr. Anand Panyarachun, KBE - Chairman

Khun Anand commenced his distinguished career at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs after completing his Bachelor of Arts degree (Hons.) in Law from Trinity College, University of Cambridge, U.K. in 1955. Highlights of his career include service as ambassador to the United States, permanent representative to the United Nations at New York, U.S.A., and Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Since leaving the diplomatic corps, Khun Anand has remained active in the business and international communities, and was appointed by the former United Nations Secretary General to chair its High-Level Panel on Threats, Challenges and Change, established to review the role of the United Nations in a rapidly changing global political environment during the period of 2003–2004.

Khun Anand is widely recognized for his pivotal role in the Kingdom’s political development when he was called upon twice to serve as Prime Minister of Thailand, and leading efforts to draft a new constitution for the Kingdom in 1997. Khun Anand has received at least 25 honorary degrees from various national and overseas universities for his distinguished roles in many areas. He is also a past recipient of the prestigious Ramon Magsaysay Award.

Currently he serves as a UNICEF Ambassador in Thailand, chairman of the Cambridge Thai Foundation, chairman of the Green Globe Institute and is a member of the Advisory Council of Transparency International.


Prof. M.R. Jisnuson Svasti - Vice Chairman

M.R. Jisnuson holds bachelor’s and master’s degrees in Biochemistry and a Ph.D degree in Biology from the University of Cambridge, U.K. He began his career as a professor in the Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Science, Mahidol University in 1972 where he continues to this day. M.R. Jisnuson is also involved in many academic roles, including serving as the head of the Laboratory of Biochemistry, Chulabhorn Research Institute, on the advisory board, Biochemical Section, for the Science Society of Thailand, President of the Federation of Asian and Oceanian Biochemists, and on the Governing Council of the Asia-Pacific International Molecular Biology Network. M.R. Jisnuson had received many awards and honours from various agencies on both the international and national levels. Examples of such awards and honours include Outstanding Researcher Award from the Ministry of University Affairs, Outstanding Scientist of Thailand Award from Foundation for the Promotion of Science and Technology under the Patronage of His Majesty the King and Honorary Membership in the Philippine Society of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology.


Dr. Kovit Poshyananda - Director and Treasurer

Dr. Kovit Poshyananda graduated a Doctor of Philosophy from the Chulalongkorn University, M.A., Ph.D. in Economics from Cornell University and B.A. (Honours) fromUniversity of Cambridge. He also attended National Defense College. Dr. Poshyananda has more than 40 years of experience in the areas of economics and corporate matters. Dr. Poshyananda serves or had served in many positions including Chairman of Sansiri Public Company Limited, Chairman of The Stock Exchange of Thailand from 1995 to 1996, Independent Director of Furukawa Metal (Thailand) Public Co. Ltd. and of Shangri-La Hotel Public Co. Ltd. He has been an Independent Director at Glow Energy Public Company Limited since April 25, 2007 and at Bangkok Bank Public Co. Ltd. since 2003. With his commercial experience and expertise, Dr. Poshyananda has devoted his time and contribution through various positions in public agencies and non-profit organization, such as the National Research Council of Thailand (Economics), the Government Pension Fund, the Council of State, Chairman of the Appellate Committee of the Thai Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) and as an expert on finance at the Office of Insurance Commission.


Khunying Jada Wattanasiritham - Director

Khunying Jada holds Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in Natural Sciences and Economics from the University of Cambridge, UK, and a Master’s degree in Economic Development from Williams College, USA. Khunying Jada commenced her distinguished career in banking at the Bank of Thailand before joining Siam Commercial Bank in 1975. Khunying Jada served as Siam Commercial Bank’s President and CEO during the period of 1999 - 2007 and has the distinction of being the first woman to be appointed as the Bank's President.

She was bestowed the Royal decoration of Chulachomklao with the title Khunying in May 2000. In 2006, Khunying Jada served as chairperson of the Thai Bankers Association and was appointed by Royal Command as a member of the National Legislative Assembly during the period of 2006 - 2008. She received the prestigious “Best CEO of the Year 2006” award from the Stock Exchange of Thailand.

Khunying Jada has utilized her in-depth knowledge and experience as a professional banker as an active contributor to many corporate and non-profit organizations. She currently serves as director on a number of boards, including as an independent director and member of the Audit Committee of Minor International Corporation PCL, as Chairperson of the Thai Institute of Directors and Siam Paragon Development Co., Ltd., as an expert member, chairman of the Audit Committee, as a director of the Cambridge Thai Foundation, member of the Performance Assessment and Remuneration Committee of the Government Pension Fund, and honorary member of the National Institute of Development Administration Council (NIDA).


Mr. Sorachon Boonsong - Director and Secretary

Khun Sorachon Boonsong graduated with an LLM from University of Cambridge in 1997 and is currently a Principal Partner at Baker & McKenzie Thailand leading the Insurance and Real Estate practice groups, and co-heading the Mergers & Acquisitions practice group. He is recognized as a leading lawyer in Thailand by legal guides such as Chambers & Partners Asia Pacific and Legal 500. Khun Sorachon also has shared his knowledge and experience through various publications, presentations and articles in many newspaper and non-profit organization, and through his years as part-time lecturer at the Faculty of Economics, Thammasat University, in Introduction to Legal Studies and as supervisory board member of the economics and law program at Thammasat University.


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Dr. Chaipong Pongpanich - Director and Deputy Treasurer

Dr. Chaipong Pongpanich is a lecturer at Sasin Graduate Institute of Business Administration. He graduated with a bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering with first class honor (Gold Medal) from Chulalongkorn University, Thailand, and a master's degree in Production Engineering from Kyushu Institute of Technology, Japan and Ph.D in Manufacturing and Management from University of Cambridge, UK. He is currently Director of Sasin Management Consulting, and is regularly called upon to share valuable insight and experience to students and others via lectures and publications.


Mr. Boontham Paweewan - Director

Dr. Boontham is currently a lecturer at the Department of Engineering, Kasetsart University. Previous to that, Dr. Boontham acquired fifteen years of experience working with major petrochemical enterprises in Thailand and Singapore. He graduated with a bachelor's degree in Chemical Engineering (Honors) from Kasetsart University in Thailand and a Ph.D. in Chemical Engineering from the University of Cambridge, UK.


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Miss Nitinant Wisaweisuan - Director

Dr. Nitinant is a lecturer at the Faculty of Economics, Thammasat University. Her previous experience includes serving as the director of International Trade Law and Economics at Thammasat University, the University's Vice-Dean for International Affairs; chair of the Economics Student Exchange Fund; and Director of the Bachelor of Economics International Programme. Dr. Nitinant was also President of the Cambridge Society Thailand from 2008 to 2009 and was a visiting scholar at the Centre of Economic Public Policy at the University of Cambridge, UK. She received a BA in Economics from Thammasat University, and a Masters and Ph.D in Land Economy from St. John's College, University of Cambridge, UK.


Miss Pajera Pattanathabutr - Director

Dr. Pajera is currently a lecturer at Faculty of Engineering and Industrial Technology, Silpakorn University. She graduated from Chulalongkorn University, Thailand in Materials Science and University of Cambridge, UK in Materials Science and Metallurgy.


Mrs. Wallapa Traisorat - Director

Khun Wallapa Traisorat is the President and founder of Asset World Corporation, a leading and innovative real estate development company and proud member of the prominent TCC Group, a conglomerate engaged in a wide range of businesses, including food and beverage, industrial production, commercial trading as well as property and financial services.

Prior to her role in Asset World Corporation, Khun Wallapa gained professional experience at international companies like Merill Lynch, GVA Grimley Ltd and Sotheby’s. She is also well armed with qualifications from prestigious institutions, namely an architecture degree (with distinction) from University of Fine Arts, Silpakorn University Bangkok, followed by Masters in Economics & Urban Planning from London School of Economics and Masters in Land Economy from University of Cambridge.


Mr. Princeya Artpradid - Director

Khun Princeya graduated with a BA (Honours) and MEng in Chemical Engineering from the University of Cambridge, UK. He also earned an MBA from INSEAD in Fountainbleau, France. Khun Princeya's experiences include advising on competitiveness for the Thailand's National Economic and Social Development Board. He is a serial entrepreneur and serves as Director in several companies across various industries including manufacturing, healthcare and sustainability.