IWD 2026: Connie's Journey

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IWD 2026: Connie's journey

Threenuch (Connie) Bunruangthaworn

Legal Partner, Mergers & Acquisitions

BDO Thailand

I have a Thai Chinese background. My grandfather migrated from China to Thailand, and we are now the third generation, living and working here.

Thailand is very much home for us. Like many Chinese families, my family ran a small business, and so I grew up surrounded by conversations about work, responsibility and entrepreneurship, occasionally helping with small errands.

From an early age, that shaped my mindset, and I naturally assumed that my studies – and later my career – would be rooted in business. But when it became time to choose my university path, however, I made a decision that surprised my parents, and perhaps even myself. I chose to pursue law school.

While my parents weren’t immediately convinced, I felt strongly that law would allow me to understand how businesses truly function and grow. I later obtained my Master’s degree at UCLA, majoring in Mergers & Acquisition and security regulation.

During that time, I realised that law and business are deeply connected, and that I could combine both disciplines in a meaningful and practical way.

After returning to Bangkok, I joined ZICOLaw, which at that time was a small affiliate of their Headquarters in Malaysia. Our Bangkok office consisted of just three people: one partner, one junior lawyer – me - and a secretary.

It really felt like we were pioneering, building something from the ground up. As a junior lawyer – I supported the firm across all areas of its work, from corporate and direct investment matters to employment, banking and M&A. That breadth of exposure gave me a strong foundation and helped me identify the areas of law I was most passionate about.

As the firm continued to grow, ZICOLaw later collaborated with KPMG Thailand, where I became Director of the legal team. More recently, I joined BDO as a legal Partner. The role gives me the opportunity to focus further on corporate M&A, while also contributing to the expansion and development of the entire legal practice. It felt like a logical next step – one that allows me to bring together experience, leadership and long-term vision.

To find my balance after a long day at work, I enjoy spending time outdoors. I like running and golfing, and I also practice yoga. It helps me clear my mind, distract from work, and return with renewed focus and energy.

What does #GiveToGain mean to you?

Give to Gain, to me, means leading with trust, openness, and genuine commitment to developing others. I make sure my team can learn a lot from me and that I am always available to support them when challenges arise. I want every individual in my team to feel encouraged to grow, strengthen their capabilities, and progress with confidence.

When I see that someone has the ability to do the job well and consistently delivers good quality work, I am comfortable placing responsibility in their hands. Trusting others not only empowers them, but also creates space for new opportunities – both for the individual and for the team as a whole.

Connie

I also strongly believe in developing people beyond technical expertise. For lawyers, communication and management skills - including commercial and practical awareness - are essential, so I place particular emphasis on helping my team build their soft skills alongside their legal knowledge.

Mentoring plays an important role in the growth of our people. Every team member will be mentored by a more senior level, and once you reach manager level, directors or partners continue to coach them. We have monthly conversations, which can cover both professional and personal topics.

These discussions allow us to connect, address challenges, and talk openly about aspirations and future goals.

Challenges and perspectives

In Thailand, female talent has strong and equal opportunities to succeed. Looking at the gender balance at BDO Thailand, we currently have more women than men, particularly in the tax and legal departments.

It is also relatively easy for young mothers to combine motherhood with a career. Our hybrid working model – working from home three days out of five – is based on trust and works very well for our people.

In addition, the Thai government has recently extended maternity leave to 120 days, adding an extra month compared to the previous system, and introduced childcare leave entitlement for newborns with medical complications or disabilities up to 15 days which further supports working families.

What is a generous culture?

Though I have only been at BDO Thailand for a relatively short time, I really feel the generous culture that exists here. In some firms, people’s contributions are measured solely through KPIs.

While performance matters, it is not enough on its own. We also need to be empathetic and mindful of the personal circumstances that people may face. When we take time to understand these situations and accommodate or facilitate support, it has a significant impact. Actively helping someone overcome an issue creates trust and security. When people feel supported, they are more confident, more engaged, and will ultimately do better.

For me, a generous culture is one where people feel safe to speak openly, and where trust and understanding are built through genuine human connection.

Advice to young talents

I always tell young professionals to take the time to truly understand their role. Experience the job fully – discover what you enjoy, and also what you may not like as much. After a year, reflect, evaluate, and talk about it. Find your passion!

Most importantly, don’t give up. Embrace your job and every opportunity that comes your way. Even in your junior years there is value in everything you do. Every experience will have an impact on your future career.

Build a strong foundation first. The lessons you carry forward will stay with you throughout your professional journey.