Dream Big, Never Give Up: A Journey of Resilience and Success
I was born in Si Racha Hospital, Chonburi; shortly after my birth, my mother brought me back to Rayong, where I spent my early years in a quiet, rural town, never imagining that one day I would walk the halls of MIT, contribute to groundbreaking AI research, and build hospitals that would save lives.
The Road to Transformation: A Journey of Perseverance
Looking back, my life has been a step-by-step journey, filled with hardships, breakthroughs, and defining moments. Each obstacle required immense perseverance and an unshakable determination. But if I were to pinpoint the moment that truly changed everything, it would be my opportunity to study abroad—a chance to see the world beyond and learn from one of the best minds on the planet.
My first taste of this was at the University of Wisconsin, where I found myself in an extremely competitive environment, surrounded by brilliant, driven individuals. It was humbling, exhilarating, and transformative. Suddenly, the world felt bigger, and the bar for success much higher. After my time in Wisconsin, I went to MIT, where I earned both a Doctor of Science (Sc.D.) in Civil and Environmental Engineering and a Master of Science (M.S.) in Technology and Policy.
It sounds like a smooth progression, but the reality? Far from it.
The TOEFL Nightmare: 14 Attempts and a Relentless Spirit
Before entering an international university, I had to overcome my biggest academic challenge—English. Coming from a rural background, my language skills were weak, and nothing exposed that more than TOEFL.
I took the test 14 times. Yes, 14 times before I finally passed. Each failure was a brutal reminder of how far behind I was. But quitting was never an option. I traveled long distances to test centers, struggled through English listening exercises, and felt the sting of failure again and again. But I refused to let that define me.
That test wasn’t just about English—it was about resilience. About learning how to fight for what you want, even when the odds are stacked against you.
From Student to a Leader in Innovation: Turning Vision into Reality
One of the most defining moments of my career came when I spent two weeks waiting to meet the Governor of Bangkok. Why? Because I wanted to propose an underground metro system—before the BTS even existed.
It was exhausting. It was frustrating. Yet, it reinforced the lesson I had learned all along—if you want to create change, you have to fight for it. In the end, I succeeded in securing a recommendation letter from the governor himself, but every step of the process was a challenge. Nothing comes easy—it’s always a gamble between chance and relentless hard work.
There were countless moments of doubt. Did I ever feel like giving up? Absolutely—every single day. However, I knew that struggles were temporary while giving up would be a permanent failure.
Current Projects: Giving Back Through Innovation
Today, my passion for innovation, education, and healthcare has led me to take on projects that directly impact lives:
Building King Mongkut Chao Khun Thahan Hospital (KMC Hospital)
A state-of-the-art medical facility built from the ground up, supported by King Mongkut Chaokhun Thahan Hospital Foundation under the patronage of the Supreme Patriarch, which I have served as the chairman. Top Thai architects designed the hospital, and Thailand's leading medical professionals staff it. This hospital caters to all individuals, irrespective of their social status.
Developing a High-Performance AI University
I envisioned advancing AI education in Thailand to stay ahead of the future. To achieve this, I knew we had to learn from and collaborate with the best. This led to a partnership with Carnegie Mellon University, USA, and the founding of CMKL University—Thailand’s first university dedicated to AI. Our mission: to develop world-class talent, drive innovation, and propel the nation forward.
Today, CMKL University has produced top-tier graduates, pioneering research, and transformative innovations in collaboration with industry leaders. These contributions are reshaping Thailand’s technological landscape and proving that Thai talent can compete on the global stage—given the right opportunities. This remains one of my proudest achievements.
Leading the Tong Neu Gao Foundation
The focus is on child and human development, particularly in education and healthcare. The organization was one of the first to support the hospital project, ensuring long-term sustainability. If I had to choose one thing I’m most proud of, it would be saving lives through the hospital project. What could be more valuable than providing people with the healthcare they deserve?
Looking Ahead: The Future of Leadership and Innovation
When people ask me about the future, I always say that no one knows what’s next. But what I do know is this—I will give my best effort every single day.
- Building more hospitals
- Advancing AI research in Thailand
- Strengthening education to tackle poverty and improve the lives of people
To me, great leadership is about bold vision. Some may call it overly ambitious, but I believe that if you don’t dare to dream big, you’ll never achieve greatness.
So if I could leave you with one piece of advice, it would be this:
"Dream big. Never give up. Always push forward."
No matter how hard the journey gets, stay focused, keep learning, and never stop fighting for the future you believe in. Because nothing is truly impossible.
