Supaluck Umpujh Leads Thai Retail onto the Global Stage, Sharing the Inspiration Behind “Women Can Build” at the Bloomberg Business Summit at ASEAN
Supaluck Umpujh, Chairwoman of The Mall Group Co., Ltd., was invited by Bloomberg to speak at the prestigious Bloomberg Business Summit at ASEAN in Malaysia. She took to the international stage to share her inspiring journey as a Thai female leader who built a world-class retail empire. The event gathered prominent economic and business leaders from around the globe.
During the session, Ms. Supaluck shared her path to success — from her family’s humble beginnings in the entertainment business to her bold decision to start anew in retail, driven by a vision to elevate the image and potential of Thai people on the global stage.
She remarked, “Once, I was ashamed of what my family did, but one day, I chose to build something that makes us proud instead.”
From the success of The Mall shopping centers in Thailand, she went on to pioneer The Emporium — the first mall in Thailand to bring world-renowned luxury brands such as Hermès and Chanel to the country. Amid the 1997 Asian financial crisis, when many businesses collapsed, she saw “opportunity in adversity.” This vision helped attract international tourists, increasing arrivals from 7 million to over 17 million, marking a turning point for Thailand’s retail industry.
Her achievements continued with Siam Paragon, developed under the concept “The Jewel of Asia,” blending Thai identity with modern sophistication. Launched around the same time as the Dubai Mall, it has since become a global landmark and a symbol of Asia’s retail excellence.
Throughout her four decades in business, Ms. Supaluck has lived by a guiding principle:
“When you do something, do it the best you can. Never regret the money you spend — because once a reputation is lost, no amount of money can buy it back.”
She concluded her session with a powerful message: “If you don’t dare to think big, you’ll never go far,” which was met with enthusiastic applause from the audience.
She also shared her perspective on the rise of AI, saying, “Technology can never fully replace humans — because at the heart of retail lies an understanding of the human heart.” She emphasized that the future of retail must combine AI-driven convenience with a human touch that fosters genuine relationships and emotions.
Ms. Sunita Rajan, APEC Managing Director at Bloomberg, expressed, “We are honored to welcome Ms. Supaluck Umpujh, the only Thai female leader on this stage, whose vision and courage have created lasting value for the global retail industry.”
After the session, Ms. Supaluck thanked Bloomberg for providing a platform for Thai women to showcase their vision on the global stage, leaving the audience with an empowering message:
“We can make it — women can rise and redefine success with heart.”
During the summit, she also met with YB Senator Tengku Datuk Seri Utama Zafrul Tengku Abdul Aziz, Malaysia’s Minister of Investment, Trade and Industry (MITI), who praised The Mall Group’s potential as a key force driving trade and investment in ASEAN. Both sides expressed a shared commitment to strengthening regional economic cooperation for sustainable growth.
