The Board of Trustees of the Asian Institute of Technology (AIT) on 7 April 2026, approved the appointment of a new Vice Chairperson, two new Trustees, and a Member of the Executive Committee of the Board. Subsequently, the Executive Committee of the Board, at its meeting held on 28 April 2026, appointed the Chairman and Members of its Audit Committee. These appointments are listed below:
Vice Chairperson of the Board of Trustees
Dr. Jiraporn Sirikum, Dr. Jiraporn Sirikum is a distinguished leader in the power and energy sector, with extensive experience in energy policy, innovation, and strategic business management. She currently also serves as Chairperson of the Executive Committee of the Board and as President of the AIT Alumni Association (AITAA) – Thailand Chapter.
Dr. Jiraporn previously served as President of Electricity Generating Public Company Limited (EGCO) and held several senior leadership roles at the Electricity Generating Authority of Thailand (EGAT), including Acting Governor,
Deputy Governor (Power Business and Strategy), and Spokesperson. Her career reflects strong expertise in corporate leadership, energy systems, and national-level strategic planning.
She holds a Ph.D. in Industrial Engineering and Management, a Master’s degree in Energy Planning and Policy from the Asian Institute of Technology (AIT), and a Bachelor’s degree in Industrial Engineering from Khon Kaen University. She has also completed advanced executive training programs in Thailand and internationally.
As Vice Chairperson of the Board of Trustees, Dr. Jiraporn brings strategic vision, deep sectoral expertise, and strong governance experience, along with a sustained commitment to institutional development, alumni engagement, and advancing innovation in energy and sustainability.
New Trustees
Ambassador Pradap Pibulsonggram, retired, had been a senior Thai diplomat and policy advisor for over three decades. A graduate in Political Studies from the University of Auckland, New Zealand, he served in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs from 1973 to 2009, culminating in his appointment as Deputy Permanent Secretary in 2007. He also held multiple senior leadership roles, including Director-General of the ASEAN Department, and served as Head of Mission in ten European countries, with his final posting in Rome.
Ambassador Pradap has played a significant role in advancing ASEAN cooperation, representing Thailand on key regional bodies such as the High-Level Task Force on the ASEAN Charter and the ASEAN Connectivity Coordinating Committee. His work contributed to shaping regional integration and connectivity initiatives under the Master Plan on ASEAN Connectivity (MPAC).
Beyond government service, he has contributed to the private sector as Senior Adviser to TEAM Group and as an Independent Board Director (Audit Committee) of Siam City Cement Public Company Limited. His governance and oversight experience is further reflected in his roles in academia and public institutions, including as Vice-Chairman of the Executive Committee of the Asian Institute of Technology and membership on university and national committees.
He currently serves on the boards of several prominent organizations, including Kenan Foundation Asia, the John F. Kennedy Foundation Thailand, and the Thai/China Business Council.
Ambassador Pradap brings to the Board of Trustees extensive diplomatic experience, strong regional and international networks, and deep expertise in governance, policy, and strategic cooperation.
Dr. Prasert Patramai, Honorary Chairman of the TEAM Group Foundation, and Chairman of the Board of Directors of Daoluek Communications Co., Ltd., is a distinguished engineering consultant and founder of TEAM Consulting Engineering and Management Co., Ltd., where he served as Chairman of the Executive Board and led the TEAM Group for over four decades. Under his leadership, the Group grew into a leading multidisciplinary consulting organization, delivering integrated services across the full project lifecycle and completing more than 1,500 projects across Thailand
and Asia. The company’s listing on the Stock Exchange of Thailand in 2018 reflects its strong governance and sustained growth.
With deep expertise in water resources engineering, Dr. Prasert has contributed to advancing sustainable water management, flood control, and infrastructure development in Thailand. He is widely recognized as a visionary leader who has elevated engineering consultancy to a strategic profession aligned with national and regional development priorities.
In addition to his professional accomplishments, he is a respected thought leader and advocate for education and social development, supporting scholarship and youth initiatives through the TEAM Group Foundation.
Dr. Prasert brings to the Board of Trustees extensive leadership experience, strong governance insight, and a long-standing commitment to institutional development, sustainability, and public value.
New Member of the Executive Committee and Chairman of the Audit Committee
Dr. Piyapan Tayanithi is a distinguished governance expert and senior financial sector executive with over three decades of experience in banking, audit, risk management, and public policy. He holds a PhD in Decision Support from the Georgia Institute of Technology, along with multiple advanced degrees in engineering, management, and information systems.
A Fellow Member of the Thai Institute of Directors Association (Thai IOD), Dr. Piyapan has completed extensive board-level training, including the Chartered Director Class
and advanced audit and governance programs. He currently serves as Director (Expert), Executive Director, and Audit Director at TRIS Corporation, and as Audit Chairman and Independent Director at Computer Union, alongside his role on the Policy and Strategy Subcommittee of the Energy Regulatory Commission.
His career includes over 20 years at Bangkok Bank, where he served as Executive Vice President, leading key functions in research, audit, and control. He has also contributed to national governance and integrity initiatives through advisory roles in the Senate and Ministry of Education.
As a Member of the Executive Committee of the Board of Trustees and Chairman of its Audit Committee, Dr. Piyapan brings deep expertise in financial oversight, audit and risk governance, and institutional accountability, supporting robust governance frameworks and long-term organizational sustainability.
New Members of the Audit Committee
Dr. Thanaphol Virasa is an Associate Professor at the College of Management, Mahidol University, and a member of the Academic Council at Chitralada Technology Institute. He holds a degree in Economics from Thammasat University, a Master of Science in Industrial Engineering and Management, and a Ph.D. in Management of Technology from the Asian Institute of Technology, awarded under a Royal Thai Government Scholarship.
Dr. Virasa’s professional background spans academia, policy research, and international consulting. He has played a leading role in advancing public sector innovation, including as Project Leader of the Government Innovation Lab under the Office of the Public Sector Development Commission, where he introduced design thinking approaches to strengthen innovation capacity within government. He has also contributed to national transformation initiatives through governance and innovation programs.
As a Member of the Audit Committee, Dr. Virasa brings strong expertise in policy evaluation, institutional governance, and strategic analysis, supporting effective oversight, accountability, and performance improvement.
Dr. Worawej Onnom, Lecturer and Researcher of the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences, Suan Dusit University, is an experienced academic leader and geospatial specialist with expertise in geographic information systems (GIS), urban development, and environmental planning. He holds a Ph.D. in Remote Sensing and Geographic Information Systems from the Asian Institute of Technology (AIT), a Master’s degree in Geography from Chulalongkorn University, and a Bachelor’s degree in Geography from Thammasat University.
Dr. Worawej contributed to national-level environmental and development initiatives as a research project analyst with the Office of Environmental Policy and Planning (OEPP),
contributing to. He has actively contributed to institutional governance and public sector committees at university, provincial, and national levels, with involvement in strategic planning, education, and community development initiatives. An award-winning alumnus of AIT, he is recognized for his contributions to rural and community development and has published research on geospatial applications for urban quality of life and sustainable development.
As a Member of the Audit Committee, Dr. Worawej brings strong analytical capabilities, institutional governance experience, and a multidisciplinary perspective, supporting evidence-based oversight, transparency, and effective organizational performance.
