Diary of an Insurer: Tapoly’s Janthana Kaenprakhamroy

Monday

Today is my first day of working remotely in Thailand for the week. I am originally from a small village in the northeast of the country, having moved to Europe as a teenager to study.

My day starts with a friend picking me up from the airport hotel in Ubon Ratchathani to make the one-and-a-half-hour journey to my mother’s house. It is her birthday this week, so I buy some special food and cake on my way home.

My mother has always been one of my greatest supporters in achieving my ambitions, so I love to treat her. After enjoying a family gathering to celebrate, I have a call with one of my investors, and end my day with some fantastic news that we’ve secured another small round of £200,000 of funding.

Tuesday

I wake up early and help out with some housework before forcing myself to do a 15-minute mini-workout.

Like all busy people, I often find it hard to fit in exercise, but I know it’s good for me and keeps things balanced.

I am also lucky, as, being at home, my mother has made me a delicious breakfast. I am managing my week around different time zones, making time to catch up with friends and family and keep on top of work.

I spend the day catching up with people. It is a very social culture in Thailand, which takes a lot of time, although it is really special to be with people I don’t see that often. And when I start work at 4pm, it is 9am in the UK, so it works out really well.

As I carry on working into the evening, there are one or two of the usual issues with my internet connection, but I’ve managed to get through several Zoom meetings and 100 emails. I am feeling pretty productive, but I make sure I am in bed by midnight.

Wednesday

I am woken at 7am sharp by loud music, part of a radio broadcast from the tower in the village. It is something that happens every day at the same time, when the local chief takes to the air, giving news updates. It is impossible to have a lie-in.

Today, I have a trip out with my mother to visit a temple in a nearby city and have dinner.

My working day also goes smoothly later that afternoon, as I speak with a potential customer about our new software-as-a-service tool, which covers the claims management process.

I am really excited about this launch. I eventually get to sleep at 1am, a bit later than planned, losing myself in a very busy inbox full of emails.

Thursday

My day started with two of my relatives visiting me. We had a really good time catching up and talking about what was going on in our lives since we had last seen each other.

I also met up with a couple of friends and went to visit a temple with them. We had a great chat and really enjoyed the chance to reconnect. Work-wise, I had another productive day, speaking with a prospective investor and also being interviewed by the FDM everywoman in Technology Awards judging panel as one of this year’s finalists for the Entrepreneur Award, which is really exciting.

My day ends perfectly with one of my aunts cooking me an amazing farewell dinner before I head home via Bangkok tomorrow.

Friday

Today, I am on my way back to Bangkok, ready to fly home. Luckily, a generous friend picked me up at 5am to give me a lift to the airport.

I didn’t get much sleep the night before, with saying my goodbyes and finishing work, so I am pretty exhausted.

I am soon revived when I reach the hotel to meet an investor online – telling him all about the progress we’re making and discussing our plans gives me the energy I need.

I also meet a really interesting woman at the hotel, who is travelling alone.

She and a friend of mine from Sweden, who is also in town, decide to celebrate the end of the week at a stunning rooftop bar, the highest in Bangkok. We have a great night.