Thailand diary: tuktuks, durians and leadership

Yvonne Foo became ANZ Country Head for Thailand in 2023.

Sunday

Sunday for our family brings a weekend grocery run, which means hopping on my favourite mode of transport in Bangkok: the e-Tuktuk.

It is affordable, fun and eco-friendly.

Weekends are perfect for exploring Thailand’s vibrant markets. A Thai friend recently introduced me to a new night market, where I picked up some affordable durians — it’s peak season!  

Some people find the durian controversial due to its pungent smell (akin to Stilton Cheese), but I think they are a true delicacy.

While locals tend to prefer their durians firm and slightly crunchy, I usually buy the whole fruit and let it ripen further at home to enjoy the richer, more intense flavour of the ‘King of Fruits’.

I also enjoy visiting the Art Section of Chatuchak Market, Bangkok’s largest weekend market, as part of a growing interest in art.

I like to dedicate a couple of hours on Sunday morning to plan the week ahead and prepare for upcoming meetings.

I also visited the office to inspect the final repair work following the earthquake and was pleased with the progress made.

Monday

My mornings start with coffee and biscuits — simple, but I enjoy trying new locally roasted coffee beans. Today’s brew is a medium roast Arabica from Chiang Mai.

Standard routine to have my breakfast on the apartment balcony while catching up on news and emails before taking my commute to work.

Bangkok is an enormous and expansive city, now considered a megacity, with a population across the greater metropolitan region of more than 11 million people.

The steady hum of cars and motorbikes passing by blends into the background like a familiar rhythm.

The scents of street food drift up — but instead of bothering me, they now feel familiar and comforting.

The day kicks off with a product discussion with the Singapore team, focused on enhancing our support for clients’ needs more holistically.

Lunch is with the Chief Financial Officer of one of the world’s largest agribusiness companies, discussing their global operations, including Australia, and how they’re navigating current economic challenges. Thailand is a significant player in the global agricultural industry.

In the afternoon, I meet with the Chief Financial Officer of a leading energy resources company in Thailand and Asia Pacific providing a market update alongside my Debt Capital Markets (DCM) colleague.

Tuesday

Today my first meeting is with Chris Raciti in his role as the incoming Country Head, ANZ Singapore and Head of South East Asia, India and Middle East (SEAIME). I share insights on Thailand’s business but also talk about how it fits into the larger region.

This is my second tenure in Thailand, and I continue to be inspired by the value our franchise brings to clients, the trust we’ve built, and the impact we’ve made over the years.

Next year marks a significant milestone - four decades of ANZ’s presence in Thailand.

Since 1986, we have proudly connected institutional and corporate clients to opportunities centred around trade and capital flows across our global network.

As the only Australian bank operating in Thailand, we offer a unique value proposition—combining deep local knowledge with the expertise of our regional product centre of excellence in Singapore.

This is followed by a series of meetings with Indonesia, including Risk Management, Audit and Board of Commissioner meetings.

I wrap-up the day with the Australian Chamber of Commerce in Thailand (AustCham) Board Meeting at its office at Empire Tower, located in Bangkok’s Sathorn business district.

I value my broader role as a Board Member and as the lead for the Corporate, Social Responsibility (CSR) pillar, which allows me to contribute to strengthening business, connections, and community within the Thai-Australian network.

The Australia-Thailand relationship is a strategic partnership grounded in strong trade, investment, education, and regional cooperation, making Australia one of Thailand’s top 10 economic partners

Beyond board duties, I actively participate in other chamber events—one highlight being the recent opportunity to meet New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon and share insights on succeeding in the Thai business landscape.

Wednesday

In the morning, I have a brainstorming session with the business execution team in Hong Kong and David Leong, ANZ Chief Executive Officer, Taiwan, exploring how we can better support our clients in Australia.

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It is a relatively light morning, which gives me the opportunity to catch up on emails and prepare for the meetings scheduled later in the week.

In the afternoon, we have our team meeting, starting with a discussion on Non Financial Risk, followed by business updates and pipeline reviews.

The extended team members who support Thailand also join this meeting dialling in from India and Singapore. Having extended teams across our network enables us to gain deeper insights and uncover cross-border opportunities, ensuring seamless support for our clients

Thursday

The day begins with a monthly meeting with our Singapore coverage and risk colleagues, where the team provides business updates and highlighting areas needing support across the corporate and Financial Institution (FI) portfolios.

Thursday afternoon I reserve for regular one-on-one catch ups with team members.

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This week, I took the opportunity to meet one of them for coffee in Ari - Bangkok’s increasingly popular neighbourhood known for its vibrant café culture and culinary scene.

With the team still working from home following the recent earthquake, I’ve been making a conscious effort to maintain in-person connections where possible.

These sessions provide a valuable space for face-to-face open dialogue, allowing team members to share updates, raise concerns, and discuss their development goals. It’s also an opportunity for me to offer support, provide feedback, and align on priorities.

Friday

I attend the Tasmanian Government breakfast with the then Minister for Hospitality and Small Business, Jane Howlett, co-hosted by the Australian Embassy, the Tasmanian Government, and AustCham.

It was a valuable opportunity to hear from Minister Howlett and the Tasmanian Coordinator-General, who shared insights into Tasmania’s business landscape and introduced the visiting Tasmanian business delegation. It was incredibly rewarding to hear firsthand how ANZ has supported the growth of some of these Tasmanian businesses.

Saturday

I spend the morning at the local Australian Football League (AFL) youth training session.

ANZ Thailand, in partnership with AustCham and the Thailand Tigers AFL club, supports underprivileged U16 young women from Bangkok’s Khlong Toey slums by funding their education and AFL training —an initiative I’m proud to be part of.

Over the past two years, I have seen these young individuals grow in confidence and some are now pursuing higher education and seeking internships - opportunities that may not have been possible without these grants.

The ANZ Thailand team also engages in other community initiatives, including food packing for those in need within the local community.

Yvonne Foo, CEO Thailand, ANZ Institutional