The Stock Exchange of Thailand (SET) has made a strategic appointment that signals a proactive shift in its approach to navigating the complexities of the modern capital market. On May 21, 2025, the SET Board approved the appointment of Mr. Soravis Kairugsa as Deputy Manager, taking on the role of Chief Markets Officer. This new position, effective from August 1, 2025, places him at the helm of the Securities Issuance and Market Operations departments, where he is expected to spearhead an aggressive market strategy and oversee the critical interplay between supply and demand.
Mr. Soravis’s appointment comes at a pivotal moment for the Thai capital market, which is grappling with multifaceted challenges. These include the ripple effects of the global economic landscape, shifts in business models, and evolving investor behaviors that demand a nimble and visionary leadership. According to Mr. Assadech Kongsiri, the Managing Director and Board Member of SET, Mr. Soravis is "a key force in proactively developing the Stock Exchange’s business to keep pace with changes by driving operations on both supply and demand sides to align and support each other." This alignment is crucial as the SET prepares for a smooth transition in senior management within the market operations sector, with current leaders set to retire in 2025.
With an impressive career spanning over 29 years, Mr. Soravis brings a wealth of experience from both domestic and international finance sectors. His background includes roles at the Bank of Thailand, Lehman Brothers, and Krungthai Bank, highlighting a broad exposure to diverse financial environments and market dynamics. Prior to joining SET, he served as the Director and Manager of the Capital Market Business Department at Bualuang Securities Public Company Limited, a position that underscored his expertise in investment banking and capital markets.
Educationally, Mr. Soravis’s credentials are equally noteworthy. He earned a Bachelor's degree in Economics from the prestigious London School of Economics & Political Science (LSE), followed by a Master's degree in Finance from the London Business School, supported by the esteemed British Chevening Scholarship. This blend of rigorous academic training and practical experience equips him to lead the SET through structural transformations with both analytical insight and strategic foresight.
The decision to appoint Mr. Soravis reflects SET’s broader strategy to embrace a more aggressive and adaptive market stance. The Thai capital market, like many others worldwide, faces pressures from rapid technological advancements, regulatory changes, and the need to attract a new generation of investors with different expectations and behaviors. By placing a seasoned leader with deep market knowledge in charge, SET aims to enhance its competitiveness and resilience in a shifting financial ecosystem.
Mr. Soravis’s role will involve not only managing the existing market frameworks but also innovating to meet future demands. This includes fostering an environment that encourages both the issuance of securities and the active participation of investors, thereby balancing supply and demand effectively. His leadership is expected to facilitate the seamless continuation of market operations during the retirement of senior executives in 2025, ensuring stability amid change.
The broader implications of this appointment extend beyond internal management. By proactively addressing structural market changes, SET positions itself to better support Thailand’s economic growth and integration into global capital flows. The proactive market strategy that Mr. Soravis is tasked to lead underscores a commitment to modernization and resilience, crucial for maintaining investor confidence and attracting new market participants.
In an era where capital markets must be agile to survive and thrive, SET’s move to appoint Mr. Soravis signals a clear intent to not only adapt but also to lead. His extensive experience, combined with a forward-looking vision, makes him a fitting choice to navigate the complexities of today’s financial landscape and to drive the Thai market toward a more dynamic and robust future.
As the new Chief Markets Officer, Mr. Soravis will have the challenging yet exciting task of balancing innovation with stability, ensuring that the Stock Exchange of Thailand remains a vital and competitive player on both the regional and global stages.
