Early Life
Surin Upatkoon, a Thai national, was born in Thailand and later relocated to Penang, Malaysia, for his education in the 1960s. He attended Han Chiang High School. After completing his education, he began his professional journey in Malaysia, where he would later build his fortune.
Rise to Success
Upatkoon's career started in 1971 at MWE Weaving Mills Sdn. Bhd. as a manager. He rose through the ranks, becoming the Managing Director of MWE Spinning Mills Sdn. Bhd. in 1974. He also served as the Managing Director of MWE Weaving Mills Sdn. Bhd. and a Director of MWE Holdings Berhad. A significant portion of his wealth comes from the sale of his 10% stake in the Thai telecom company InTouch in 2013. He has also been involved in the gaming and financial services sectors.
Key Business Strategies
Upatkoon's business acumen is evident in his strategic investments and leadership roles. He owns stakes in listed gaming company Magnum and textile firm MWE. He served as Executive Director and Managing Director of Magnum Berhad, playing a key role in formulating business strategies and the company's direction. His involvement in various sectors such as telecommunications, lotteries, and insurance demonstrates his diversified approach to wealth creation.
Philanthropy
Surin Upatkoon is involved in philanthropic activities. He is a Trustee of the Chang Ming Thien Foundation and Magnum Foundation.