A couple of days ago we all enjoyed Proseed’s 54th event – From Inequality to Opportunity: Can Business Bridge the Gap?, where four of Bangkok’s most distinguished and accomplished leaders shared their insights. My deep thanks to our organizers, attendees, & panelists:

• Ms. Barbara Meynert (Moderator)
• Khun Pornlumon (Net) Nirachatsuwan
• Dr. Andrew Stotz, CFA
•  Fr. Edgar Nava Pérez
• Mr. Charles Reed

Video

Thanks to the efforts of James Wood, Managing Director at VRG (VR & AI Software Applications), we have the full event video available for your enjoyment:

Discussion Points

Equity in Employment and Merit-Based Compensation – Charles

Charles shared how his organization stopped using recruitment agents, instead relying on brand strength and transparency to attract foreign workers. By eliminating middlemen, they created a more ethical and direct employment pathway.
They emphasized the importance of performance-based compensation, stating, “If you do a good job and create profit, then you deserve bonuses.” This reflects their belief in a transparent and merit-based system where good work is fairly recognized and financially rewarded.

Connecting Grassroots to Systemic Change – Net

Net focused on the urgent need to improve the treatment and rights of migrant workers, especially in countries like Thailand where many lack legal recognition and basic protections. She stressed that migrants contribute significantly to society and the economy, yet they often remain invisible in policymaking and data systems, which leads to their exclusion from essential services.

She advocated for a rights-based approach, where migrant workers are seen as individuals with dignity rather than just economic tools. Net also called for systemic change—starting with data collection, legal reforms, and inclusive national strategies—to ensure migrants are truly part of the social fabric and not left behind in development efforts.

Living Among the People – Fr. Edgar

Fr. Edgar spoke about his deep commitment to grassroots community development, particularly in impoverished urban areas. Rather than offering temporary aid, he described a model of long-term presence: “We are not an NGO that drops aid and leaves—we live among the people.”

Fr. Edgar’s work focuses on building relationships, particularly with youth in slum communities, offering pathways through education, jobs, or scholarships. Recognizing that academic routes don’t work for everyone, he adapts support to the real emotional, financial, and spiritual needs of individuals. “We aim to become bridges anchored in the slums, always there with the people,” he said.

Capitalism and Social Impact – Andrew

Andrew emphasized the importance of fair treatment for foreign workers by eliminating recruitment agents and using technology and branding to attract workers directly. He supports performance-based pay, believing that those who contribute most should be rewarded.

He also highlighted the positive role of profit in funding public services and creating opportunity, drawing from his personal experience. Andrew called for a simpler, fairer global tax system and urged greater recognition of invisible communities, like undocumented workers in Thailand, to ensure more inclusive public policy.

Voicing the Invisible: Policy, Protection, and Participation – Barbara

Barbara, as the moderator, guided the conversation by highlighting key challenges and bridging insights between the speakers. She emphasized that while both the private and public sectors play critical roles in shaping fair labor systems, the current global frameworks often fail to protect the most vulnerable, particularly migrant and informal workers.

She pointed out that decent work is not just about job availability but also about job quality, safety, and legal protections. Barbara encouraged a rethinking of policies to better include invisible populations and stressed the importance of accountability, data-driven decisions, and collaboration across sectors to achieve truly inclusive labor systems.

Photos

For the evening’s photos, see below from Facebook:

Presentation

For the PDF of the evening’s presentation, including our Open Mic presentations, please contact me.

Thanks for joining!

Thanks everyone for your ongoing support for the children under the care of handsacrossthewater.org.au. In total, THB 3,500 was donated:

OUR NEXT EVENT
Proseed’s Caring & Coping Panel

Our next event will be on the 17th of July: “AI divide ethics, opportunity, and inequality: will AI widen or bridge the socioeconomic gap in Southeast Asia?”

Until then you’re welcome to join our LUNCHES – Announced Fridays at 12:30 at Kate’s Place (map). More details and invitations are available on our Friends of Proseed Whatsapp group

PITCH AT OUR NEXT EVENT – Open Mic!!!

As per our tradition, at our next event, we’ll invite 3 startups to pitch the crowd for 3 minutes each. This is a 1st-come-1st-served opportunity to pitch your idea to our audience. 

Come see how you measure up!
Reserve your spot: https://goo.gl/N3Ycdx

Doing good

Proseed is grateful for the opportunity to help Hands Across the Water, a registered charity dedicated to saving Thailand’s most vulnerable children from dangerous environments and to provide a home for those without family or relatives. With your help, these kids don’t have to go hungry, miss out on education, face the challenges of life on their own or be forced into undesirable employment.

SPONSORS

Fabbit is Bangkok’s top Co-working Space & Community-Hub for Engineers, Creators, and Entrepreneurs. Whether you need a quiet desk for a few hours, or a permanent office for your team, Fabbit at Asoke intersection, is the best located office space in Bangkok.

Vimi.co is Bangkok’s leading B2B digital agency, and Proseed’s operations and marketing sponsor.

LogiSphere.online is revolutionizing freight logistics with IoT real-time package-level visibility in a unified reverse-bidding platform that connects shippers, carriers, and logistics services seamlessly. To reduce costs, optimize routes, and transform your supply chain, click here.

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Are you keen to do business with members of Bangkok’s Benign Business Community? 

Providing a Sponsored Community Resource like this one is a privilege reserved for Proseed members. Contact us via our “Friends of Proseed” whatsapp group to learn more…