Our July front cover photo is of Thailand Socialite, Khun Vachini Krairiksh. Vachini was bought up with strong core values of integrity and hard work being essential for success both in business and personal life. Determined to make her own mark in the world, Khun Vachini graduated with a Master’s Degree in Communication from an American University. She’s currently Group Director of PR & Marketing Communications for a large Thai Multi-National Corporation. Always an athlete, she works as hard at keeping her body fit as she does in her business career. HOT Magazine recently had the pleasure of sitting down with Khun Vachini to ask her about her interesting life and her passions.
HOT Magazine: Khun Vachini, your celebrity status is well known in Thailand for being a fashion model and high powered business person. Your picture is often in the Society Pages of Thai newspapers and magazines attending gala dinners, charity events and restaurant openings. Can you give us some insight into your childhood growing up and did you always know you wanted to be a “Socialite?”
K. Vachini: As a young girl, I was a girl lacking self-confidence, insecure and introvert. I believe that I’ve transformed from a “shy ugly duckling” to a “social swan” who now carrying myself with utmost style, poise and grace. I have never expected or wanted to be a “Socialite” when I was a young woman, rather always wanted to be a proud “Mother” and a successful “Businesswoman”.
Unexpectedly, I’ve become a “Socialite” 10 years ago. During that time I enjoyed being in the limelight, being in the hub of the social scene, receiving attention, and maintaining a high profile. I surrounded myself with socialites, hi-so, celebrities, and the likes.
HOT Magazine: At the age of 12 you were sent to the States to study, returning to Thailand with a Master’s Degree in Mass Communications. How do you think living those years in American shaped who you are today?
K. Vachini: The fact that I studied and lived in U.S.A. for over 10 years apparently helped change me from the girl I was to the woman I am today. A woman who is loving, caring, confident, independent, positive, and intellect woman with a strong self-respect.
After being in the limelight for over a period of time, I’ve discovered “Myself” and a “True happiness”. Now my lifestyle revolves around family, and is more work-oriented. Mostly when time allows, I’d rather spend private time with only my loved ones. Yes, indeed we can find happiness in the simplest things in life: nothing extravagant, in a humble lifestyle. My mentality and attitude have changed through life experience and maturity.
HOT Magazine: You are in terrific shape, how much time do you spend in the gym and are there other sports activities that you enjoy that help keep you look the way you do?
K. Vachini: My passion for water-sports such as slalom water skiing, wakeboarding and surfing stems from my love of being in the sun and water. It’s about having a sense of freedom and feeling more alive. But more than that, I believe that in general ones should always look after one’s self: spiritually, mentally and physically to achieve a healthy body, mind, and spirit. I also like Martial Arts training and spending time in the gym.
HOT Magazine: You’ve put your Master’s Degree to good use with your current position as Group Director of PR and Marketing Communications for the FICO Group. Did you “pay your dues,” working your way up the Corporate ladder of other companies to attain the position you hold today?
K. Vachini: I can confidently say that I’ve worked hard and have earned the achievements. It was not from luck, but the opportunities combined with hard work, inspiration, motivations and skills. PR is most what I have passion for and it suits with my skill set and personality. PR is a ‘people person’ business that requires an outgoing personality, self-confidence and an understanding of human psychology. Therefore, when I choose this career, I must possess these attributes and have to know the likely pressure associated with this role. Frankly speaking, being well known in the society has strengthened the achievement of my PR career.
HOT Magazine: The FICO Group’s holdings are quite diverse. What does an “average day” look like for you?
K. Vachini: My role is to act as the Company’s spokeperson to the public in order to promote the Company and its affiliated brands and to enhance the Company’s recognition and sense of identity. I need to create a positive image with a consistent message in everything Fico does e.g. quality and best value. Brand building is one of the biggest mechanism I need to establish/increase in order for the Company to improve profits and keeps it ahead of competition. I need to develop and manage the multi-brand portfolio, which plays a crucial role in producing sustainable earnings growth for the shareholders.
I regularly use Facebook for mostly business and sometime personal. Using Facebook is part of my job description and importantly, since I’m a Group Director of PR and Marketing Communications of Fico Group, I use it for the main purpose of creating brand awareness, increasing my database (mostly locals), developing awareness of the Company and the affiliated brands. As a result of Facebook, I’ve gained clients and my role has been more productive. We need to use Facebook wisely and efficiently, otherwise it can invade our personal social life.
My average day varies and I’d say very interesting and challenging every day, especially when you have to report and work directly to the Owner/CEO of Fico Group, Khun Krit Srichawla.
HOT Magazine: You are married and have a child. How important is time management to you to allow for being a wife, mother, business person and keeping your fitness routine?
K. Vachini: My goal is to strike a perfect work/life balance with a meaningful daily outcome for each of my four quadrants; Work, Family, Friends and Self. I believe that family and close friends are my ultimate happiness. At the end of the day, it’s all about balancing carefully the demands of both my private life and my professional career. I focus on inner contentment and try to pursue wisdom and a peace of mind, which I believe is the ultimate happiness. Living life with a purpose and being happy and content with my life, who I am, and what I have.
It’s all about having found inner contentment and self gratitude. I’ve found the man of my life (Chris Venvell, my husband). I’ve learned that family love is the greatest and the strongest love of all. And to feel and have that is the biggest accomplishment for me.
HOT Magazine: What advice would you give other women who look up to you and would like to attain the same success in their life as you have in yours?
K. Vachini: I believe in confidence, self respect, not just for yourself but for others around you. When I feel confident I am able to carry myself well and able to take on any challenge that comes in front of me. Being proud in myself and I can do anything. I never compare myself to others or look down on others or think I am better – just think I am good enough and being the best that I can possibly be.
Having compassion, self gratitude and positive attitude, this will definitely make my inner soul happy and those around me can feel that happiness.