TTBA and NFU join forces to inspire the next unicorn with Komsan Saelee’s Insights

Co-organized by the Thai-Taiwan Business Association (TTBA) and the National Farmers Union (NFU), the transnational youth entrepreneurship forum took place at the Bangkok Marriott Marquis Queen’s Park on Sept. 13, focusing on identifying the next unicorn—a privately held tech startup valued at over US$1 billion, typically under ten years old and not yet listed.

Hosted by Doong Sy-chi (董思齊), Deputy Representative of the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office (TECO) in Thailand, the forum featured Flash Express founder Komsan Saelee (李發順), who shared lessons from building his company and practical, hands-on approaches to innovation with young entrepreneurs.

The attendees included Taiwan’s Representative to Thailand Lan Sha-li (藍夏禮), Thai-Taiwan Business Association Youth League Chairman Curtis Huang (黃啟碩), The Taiwan Association of Thailand President Belinda Chang (張玲琴), TTBA President Chen Hann-chuan (陳漢川), TTBA Permanent Honorary President Hsiu-Min Kuo (郭修敏), and more than 200 participants.

Invited to speak, Chang I-pin (張逸品), Assistant Professor at the Center for Language Education, said he was honored to join the forum and noted that the forum showcases how young entrepreneurs are proposing next-generation solutions across AI, ESG, fintech, and channel strategy. In light of these insights, NFU will continue to participate in and help drive cross-border innovation, linking Taiwan’s technological strengths with Thailand and ASEAN to foster deeper partnerships.In addition, he mentioned NFU’s practical, hands-on ethos and its sustained commitment to intelligent manufacturing, green energy, aviation technology, digital innovation, and cross-disciplinary integration. He added that the university prioritizes international partnerships and promotes industry–university collaboration, innovation competitions, and business incubation to develop Taiwan-rooted technical and vocational talent with a global perspective.

Launched in 2017, Flash Express rocketed to Thailand’s second-largest delivery provider within three years. The company processes over one million parcels per day, reaches up to a 97% next-day delivery rate, and has gradually grown into a one-stop logistics ecosystem spanning warehousing, customs clearance, packaging, and financial services.

Komsan Saelee pointed out that many people first came to know Fresh Express through its core parcel-delivery brand, Flash Express. Today, Fresh Express operates in six countries with 150,000 direct employees. However, he admitted that the courier business sits downstream in the supply chain—an arena marked by frequent price wars.
 

Accordingly, Fresh Express is accelerating its transformation by integrating e-commerce warehousing, live commerce, advertising, and payment services to build an end-to-end supply-chain ecosystem that goes beyond single-track logistics and delivers greater value for businesses.

Following Komsan Saelee’s firsthand account, attendees said his story illuminated the making of Thailand’s first unicorn and delivered actionable inspiration. The forum stands as a milestone for Thailand–Taiwan youth entrepreneurship, strengthening confidence and charting a path to the next unicorn.