Rotary Club of Bangkok DACH

Join the Rotary Club of Bangkok DACH, a vibrant non-profit fostering change and community in

01/06/2026

Last week's club meeting provided an insightful look into one of Germany’s most successful yet little-known technology groups.

We were honoured to welcome Rtn. Alois Gnadl, Vice President International Sales APAC at Diehl Defence, who shared the story behind “Diehl - a Hidden Champion”.

From its origins as a family-owned business to its position as a global technology leader, Diehl has built an impressive portfolio spanning aviation, defence, metering, controls, and advanced technologies. While many people interact with Diehl products every day, the company itself remains largely behind the scenes.

Alois provided valuable insights into the company’s history, international growth, innovation strategy, and the challenges and opportunities shaping its future. The presentation sparked engaging discussions and offered participants a unique perspective on the role of German engineering and technology in global markets.

A sincere thank you to Alois for sharing his expertise and giving us an exclusive glimpse into one of Germany’s most fascinating industrial success stories.

13/05/2026

A great evening at our recent Rotary meeting with Ankit Upadhyay, founder of A2D Ventures, speaking about “How Angels Build Conviction.”

The presentation offered valuable insights into how experienced angel investors evaluate startups, manage risk through diversification, and identify opportunities in Southeast Asia’s rapidly growing startup ecosystem.

Particularly interesting was A2D Ventures’ approach of connecting Southeast Asian startups with a global network of angel investors, VCs, and family offices - helping founders build globally competitive companies from the region.

Thank you, Ankit, for sharing your experience and perspectives with our members and guests.

23/04/2026

At our latest meeting, we had the pleasure of welcoming Charkhris Phomyoth as our guest speaker. His talk, “From Loneliness to Longevity Economy: How Community Becomes the Infrastructure of Aging Societies”, highlighted a powerful shift in perspective: aging societies don’t just need better care - they need strong, purpose-driven communities.

Drawing on his work with YoungHappy, Charkhris showed how meaningful social connections can significantly improve health, happiness, and a sense of purpose in later life. Especially insightful was the idea that tackling loneliness is not only a social mission, but also a major economic opportunity - unlocking the full potential of the “longevity economy.”

A big thank you for the inspiring presentation and the engaging discussion that followed. This is exactly what Rotary is about: bringing people together, exchanging ideas, and creating impact beyond our own circles.

12/04/2026

This week we had the pleasure of welcoming , Co-Founder & CEO of SalesMind AI, to our Rotary Club of Bangkok DACH meeting.

In his talk “From Employees to AI-Augmented Teams: The New Way to Work”, Julien shared how AI is already transforming sales, customer success, and operations.

A key takeaway: AI is shifting from a support tool to a practical way of handling repetitive sales tasks - freeing up teams to focus on higher-value activities.

What stood out most was the move from fragmented tools to integrated workflows - AI agents connecting systems, processing data, and executing tasks autonomously to drive efficiency and scalability.

The session sparked great discussions on how AI enhances teams, enabling faster ex*****on and better decision-making.

A big thank you to Julien for the insightful presentation and to all members and guests for the engaging exchange!

30/03/2026

At our most recent meeting, we had the pleasure of hosting a truly engaging Classification Talk by Stephan Schwaabe.

Since joining our club in July 2025, Stephan has already become a valued member of our community, and this session gave us the opportunity to learn more about both his professional journey and the experiences that have shaped his global perspective.

In his current role as Commercial Director APAC and Middle East at Bruegmann, Stephan is responsible for driving strategic growth and expanding the company’s footprint across a highly dynamic and diverse region. His work focuses on building strong customer relationships, identifying new market opportunities, and aligning commercial strategies with regional demands-an increasingly important task in today’s interconnected markets.

During his talk, Stephan shared valuable insights into navigating international markets, the importance of cultural understanding in business, and how long-term partnerships are built on trust and consistency. His perspective resonated strongly with the audience and sparked inspiring discussions afterwards.

We are very happy to have Stephan as part of our club and look forward to many shared initiatives and projects in the true spirit of Rotary.

16/03/2026

Last week, our Rotary Club had the privilege of welcoming Viktor Semenov, Chargé d’Affaires of Ukraine in Thailand, who spoke about Ukraine’s resilience and the opportunities to support the country during and after the war.

Despite immense challenges, Ukraine continues to rebuild communities, strengthen its energy system, and create opportunities for international cooperation - from infrastructure reconstruction to humanitarian demining and technology partnerships.

The discussion was a powerful reminder that in the true Rotary spirit of Service Above Self, global collaboration and solidarity can help rebuild lives and communities.

26/02/2026

At our recent Rotary meeting, we welcomed Adam & Tim from Thai Ocean Academy, who shared inspiring insights into their marine education and research work in Thailand.

A key focus of the presentation was how the Academy’s own research and conservation projects form the foundation of their educational programs. Through ecological monitoring, artificial reef initiatives, and marine species research, they generate real data and field experience that directly enrich their teaching.

Students explore marine science, conservation challenges, and sustainable practices through hands-on lessons and field activities. Student and teacher dive trips provide real-world exposure to marine ecosystems, helping turn scientific knowledge into lived experience.

Adam & Tim also highlighted how participants contribute to citizen science, reef monitoring, and conservation efforts - building environmental responsibility and inspiring future marine scientists.

A powerful reminder that protecting our oceans begins with education grounded in research. Thank you, Adam & Tim, for the inspiring presentation. Anyone interested in dive trips or educational programs is welcome to contact Thai Ocean Academy directly.

16/02/2026

We were honored to welcome Andreas Sumper, Deputy Head of Mission at the Austrian Embassy Bangkok, as guest speaker at our Rotary Club meeting last week.

He provided valuable insights into Austria’s foreign policy priorities, the strong and longstanding relationship between Austria and Thailand, and the embassy’s role in fostering diplomatic, economic, and cultural cooperation across the region. He also highlighted current European policy challenges, including EU enlargement and Austria’s role as a neutral yet engaged member of the international community.

The presentation and Q&A session sparked a highly engaging discussion and deepened our understanding of Austria’s global engagement.

Thank you, Andreas Sumper, for sharing your expertise and perspectives.

02/02/2026

Proud moments in the mountains of Thailand: iCARE Thailand Foundation has opened its 43rd girls’ dormitory, giving more than 35 girls a safe home and direct access to education - no long, exhausting journeys to school anymore.

We were glad to contribute again by covering the costs, supporting iCARE in turning opportunity into reality for current and future generations.

Three Rotary members and seven Rotaractors joined the official opening. Getting there meant a 12-hour journey and a stay in the mountain village-a powerful reminder of how remote and underserved some communities still are.

We also shared moments of joy beyond the ceremony: Christmas gifts and sweets for the children (thank you, Haribo, for the generous donation!) and food and hygiene supplies for the village residents - small gestures, big smiles.

During family visits, it became clear how many children are unable to attend secondary school. Encouragingly, one of our members stepped in as a donor on site, making immediate support possible.

If you’d like to help create more stories like this, reach out to our Rotary Club or any of our members. Every contribution - big or small - can change a life.