Major media channels of both Vietnam and Thailand on May 28, 2026 all highlighted the signing of cooperation between two prominent female entrepreneurs of Southeast Asia, female billionaires, Dr. Nguyen Thi Phuong Thao - Chairwoman of Vietjet and Ms. Nualphan Lamsam (Madam Pang) - CEO of Muang Thai Insurance Group, and also Chairwoman of the Football Association of Thailand (FAT).
Two leading powerful businesswomen of Vietnam and Thailand shake hands to exchange cooperation agreements in the presence of General Secretary, President To Lam and Thai Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul at the Business Forum celebrating the 50th anniversary of Vietnam-Thailand diplomatic relations, which is a surprising and impressive image for many people interested in economics, as well as sports fans.
According to the announcement of the two businesses, Vietjet and Muang Thai have signed a strategic cooperation agreement to promote business cooperation and sports, culture, community development between Vietnam, Thailand and the region.
The meeting of the two female entrepreneurs is described by many as full of inspiration as both are not only talented in business but also carry in them aspirations to contribute, bring good values to the community, to the people, share beliefs, kindness and desire to bring people closer together through sports, culture and human values.
In Vietnam, Dr. Nguyen Thi Phuong Thao is not only famous for being the first self-made female billionaire in Southeast Asia, Vietnam, but also a Labor Hero with many contributions to the country and people. Over the past decade, Vietjet as well as other businesses of Dr. Nguyen Thi Phuong Thao have cooperated with Vietnamese football and futsal through sponsorship activities, community sports development, support for national teams...
Meanwhile, in Thailand, Madam Pang is a special symbol of football as the first female President in FAT history. She has made important contributions to the development of Thai football in recent years, promoting youth football, women's football and the professionalization of the top league in the Land of the Golden Temple Thai League with her positive energy and love for sports. Madam Pang is also a very familiar name to Vietnamese people. The businesswoman also revealed that she has more than 400,000 followers from Vietnam on her personal social networking page.
Madam Pang - Nualphan Lamsam is the 5th generation, one of the heirs to the Lamsam family's fortune. Her family is of Chinese origin, one of the most powerful and wealthy families in Thailand. Madam Pang inherited and runs Kasikorn Bank (Kbank) with total assets estimated at 100 billion USD. Kbank is one of the 4 largest banks and has a wide brand coverage in Thailand. In addition to participating with family members in running the bank, she developed her own business career as General Director of Muang Thai Insurance - a large insurance and financial investment company in Thailand.
Few people know that more than a year ago, also on a May day, Madam Pang visited and worked with Dr. Nguyen Thi Phuong Thao right at Vietjet's office in Ho Chi Minh City.
Enjoying Vietnamese Pho - a dish that Madam Pang especially loves, the two businesswomen not only discussed the values that the two sides pursue and cooperate in business, but also the desire to contribute more to the community, culture, people and the future of the ASEAN region.
The friendly conversation that day was realized by a cooperation agreement between Vietjet Air and Muang Thai Insurance, and went further with community development plans, expected to bring the values of aviation, football, culture and the ASEAN community further on the international stage, contributing to raising the image of Vietnam, Thailand and Southeast Asia.
Dr. Nguyen Thi Phuong Thao shared: "Flights connect cities, and sports connect people's hearts. We believe that the companionship between Vietjet and Muang Thai Insurance will spread the good values of Vietnam-Thailand friendship, while inspiring the young generation in the region.
The cooperation of two leading female entrepreneurs - billionaires in Southeast Asia is a particularly interesting story and also inspires about the increasing role and influence of female entrepreneurs in creating positive values for the community and society. In a Southeast Asian region that is developing dynamically in the world, such "handshakes" that are connective and symbolic not only create economic value but also contribute to building a more cohesive, more unique regional community and towards sustainable development.
