Alumnae Achievement Awards 2003

Niramol Bulakul Suriyasat ’54 Entrepreneur Philanthropist

Niramol Bulakul Suriyasat ’54 led a distinguished career as both an entrepreneur and philanthropist. As one of Thailand's leading business executives, Suriyasat received wide acclaim for her various roles at Toshiba Thailand. Thanks to her vision and leadership as chairperson, Thai Toshiba now ranks as one of Thailand's largest manufacturers of electrical appliances.

Highly respected for her efforts to promote economic development in her country, Suriyasat received awards such as Business Woman of the Year, Industrial Woman of the Year, and World Class Executive, as well as being named one of the 50 most powerful businesswomen in the world by Worldbusiness Magazine.

Suriyasat's endeavors reach far into the realm of public and political sectors, as well. She is lauded for the contributions she made to Thai-Japanese relations through her position as chair of the Thai-Japanese Association. Various scholarships in her name are offered each year to Toshiba staff and students from eight major universities in Thailand. About 6,000 scholarships have been given to needy students throughout Thailand over the years.

Suriyasat served as a senator in her nation's parliament for two terms, during which a new constitution was passed and Thailand's economy was revived. She received the title "Thanpuying" (Grand Dame) in 1999 by the Order of Chulachomklao, as a tribute to her outstanding integrity in her professional and public life. She later was named "Knight Grand Cross (First Class) of the Most Exalted Order of the White Elephant," the highest award granted to women in Thailand.