Minding their business.

By Mahmood Hossain

What exactly makes China so enticing with so many assumed restrictions and lifestyle difficulties? This is a country, a fifth of the world’s population, that has seen a skyrocketing rise in economic growth for the past 40-plus years. One of the most drastic transformations has now become a global leader in both technology and manufacturing. Equally perplexing in a home to six of the world’s megacities, the country has also witnessed a life expectancy boost: 75 for men and 78 for women. This global powerhouse is complex, yet opportunities rise on its ancient lands that are inhabited by generations of hardworking Chinese, and even foreigners who are completely alien to the ways of local life.

Through culture shocks, ambitions and the enriched evolution of the modern Thai-Indian businessman, conquering challenges abroad may seem like a daunting task to most, especially where China is concerned. But not for Dheeraj Mirpuri, Aakash Chugani and Chirag Chugani. These gentlemen had the courage to step outside their comfort zone and embark on a journey most would scoff at and turn their noses toward more so-called desirable destinations. They share their experiences with Masala as Thai-Indians who sought the alternatives, made a name for themselves and hope to return to Thailand accomplished.

Dheeraj Mirpuri – successfully runs Shantinav Holdings Limited, dealing in international trade (exports).

I moved to China in 2002 and returned to Bangkok in 2012, but I still run my China operations remotely. Born and raised in Bangkok, I graduated from Ekkamai International School in 1998 and studied International Trade & Business in Sydney, Australia. After nine months in Australia, I returned to Bangkok for my cousin’s wedding and decided not to go back to university. I wanted to work full-time and be financially independent, which my parents supported.

Initially, I wanted a job in computers due to my passion for graphics and websites, but my father suggested joining the family export business to achieve financial freedom faster. I agreed and started working in the family business. By 1999, my father and uncles were semi-retired, and my elder cousin ran the business. My role involved designing artwork and inspecting goods, but I lacked drive and didn’t focus on self-growth until 2002.

In August 2002, my younger cousin proposed opening an office in China as equal partners. Despite my initial hesitation, I agreed and informed my parents. My father supported my decision, and I began working in the Hong Kong office, eventually setting up an office in Guangzhou by October 2002.

When did you experience your first culture shock, the “welcome to China” moment?

My first culture shock in China was during my initial trip to register a company. I was surprised that no one spoke English, and I didn’t see any foreigners. Finding a restaurant with English signs or menus was impossible, and we couldn’t identify the meats in the pictures. Ordering basic drinks like Coke or Sprite was met with confusion and laughter, as even these had different names in Pinyin. We quickly realised we needed to learn basic Chinese words.

Once, at a dinner, a fish bone got stuck in my throat. At 2 am, my cousin and I went to the hospital, but neither the admin nor the doctor understood us. We drew a fish and its bones on paper, indicating the missing bone was in my throat. This incident highlighted how uncommon English was in China in 2002.

What has the overall experience been for you in both working and living in China?

Living and working in China has been a great experience for me. Initially, there were no restrictions on Western apps, but when they got blocked, it disrupted our workflow and communication with customers. The language barrier was a major challenge, as basic English terms were not understood. This motivated me to learn basic Mandarin, which made life easier. Over time, more foreigners moved to China, and more Chinese people learned English, improving communication.

The local food was never an issue for me, as I had traveled internationally as a child and was used to various cuisines. Living in Bangkok, I was accustomed to trying new restaurants. Although Chinese food in Thailand and China differs, I enjoyed the taste as a foodie. Building relationships with suppliers was crucial in China. It wasn’t just about business; it required a personal touch. Sharing meals, drinking together, and developing a friendly rapport were essential for building trust and long-lasting partnerships, leading to smoother collaborations and mutual understanding.

What are the major differences in the work culture?  How does it compare between your home country and China?

In my experience, working in Thailand has been at a much calmer and more relaxed pace. Of course, this may not be true for everyone, but when I started off here, there was rarely any sense of urgency or aggression. In contrast, working in China was completely different—suppliers were incredibly quick to provide quotes, often following up the same day to get a response or secure an order. There was always a strong sense of urgency and efficiency, which is not something I’ve observed as much here in Thailand.

One similarity between the two, however, is the importance of relationships in business. In both cultures, building trust and rapport with colleagues and suppliers often takes precedence over formal contracts. In China, this is especially evident in practices like sharing meals, drinks, and social moments, which are integral to forming strong partnerships. While this isn’t as common in Thailand, it’s a valuable aspect of doing business that I’ve come to appreciate.

Regarding your industry, how have you found dealing with access to a larger manufacturing pool, the quality of products, the pace of product turnarounds and the challenges of local government policies and the entrepreneurial environment?

I have truly enjoyed dealing with access to a large manufacturing pool; it has made my job exciting and has presented many opportunities to increase profits. What amazes me the most is how quickly factories in China can customise solutions, even with tight deadlines, which sets them apart from manufacturers in other countries. The efficiency of China has been a major advantage for my business, and I believe this has been the case for anyone who has operated there, whether currently or in the past.

That said, navigating government policies and regulations has been frustrating at times. Policies can change overnight, often impacting shipments, which creates high-stress situations. As a result, we always had to stay alert and be ready to adapt quickly to keep operations running smoothly.

In terms of product quality, I faced many frustrations initially, as many of the factories I worked with seemed more focused on maximising profits than maintaining quality. However, over time, these factories have developed a more international mindset, leading to significant improvements in both product quality and range.

Is the business an extension of family endeavours or your own career path and project?

Although this remains within the same industry as my family business, I had to start my business from scratch.

Regarding the familial environment, can you speak about your experience with the local Thai-Indian or Indian community in China?

When I first moved to China, there were no familiar faces from Thailand, but I was fortunate to meet Indians from various parts of the world, including Taiwan, India, Hong Kong, Indonesia, and beyond. This immediately created a sense of belonging and made me feel at home. One lucky encounter stands out—a lady we met at a shopping mall mentioned that most Indians lived in a large apartment complex called Regal Court. We decided to rent our first apartment there, and it truly became our home away from home.

At that time, most of us were relatively new to China, which made it easier to form friendships. We were all facing similar challenges, and this shared experience fostered a strong sense of community. Later, when some Thai-Indians moved to the area, it added an extra layer of warmth and comfort, enhancing the feeling of being part of a supportive and close-knit group.

Being away from where you grew up, alongside friends and family, how has the family dynamic been over these years?

The family dynamic remained largely unchanged during my time in China. My parents would visit occasionally, as did my siblings and often my cousins from different parts of the world. Many of them came not just to spend time with us but also to support us by sourcing products and placing orders through our company.

Surprisingly, I didn’t find the move to China to be much of an adjustment—or perhaps I adapted to it quickly. I believe this was because, alongside focusing on building a business, we were fortunate to develop meaningful friendships. These relationships helped us create a new version of home, making the transition much smoother and more fulfilling.

How do you keep your cultural heritage alive in a foreign land?

Living in a building with many Indian families, along with others moving into Guangzhou over time, made it easy for us to celebrate festivals like Diwali and Holi from the very beginning. These celebrations brought everyone together and created a strong sense of community. Some residents even set up apartments as makeshift temples where weekly prayers and gatherings were held, helping us maintain our spiritual and cultural practices.

Additionally, friends would often organise outings to Indian restaurants or cook traditional dishes and gather in each other’s apartments to enjoy meals together. These small but meaningful moments allowed us to keep our cultural heritage alive and thriving, even in a foreign land. Fortunately, I am in Bangkok now and intend to be here permanently – home is where the heart is, and I am home!

Aakash Chugani – mainly apparel, alongside multiple ventures, such as furniture and sourcing for various inquiries since 2010.

I completed university in Australia in 2009, my brother was already present in China by 2004. We saw an opportunity to partner up in Guangzhou and to start a new line of work and grow our business. We’ve never looked back.

How would you describe the Chinese culture shock?

The language barrier, certain foods, and slightly aggressive behaviour (but in a good way). The locals are quick to get things done and aren’t afraid to voice their opinions, which is the complete opposite of how Thais operate. If I want something done in China, I’m given a price and delivery date – 9 out of 10 times it’s accurate.

Are there stark differences in the work culture, between Thailand and China?

In terms of work ethic, the locals can work round the clock. In my company, my staff gets in around 9.30 am to 10 am, Monday to Friday. Mind you, we previously worked on Saturdays as well, but my staff deserved more family time, so we’ve agreed to extend their weekly schedule by four to five hours.

Generally, my staff starts wrapping up at 7 pm, depending on their workload. However, if they are busy, they stay until the tasks are complete. We don’t have any specific work hours; this is something I learned a few years ago. You train your staff to take responsibility and let them make mistakes. It’s all a learning experience. At times, my staff dedicated themselves to working until 9 pm. They are aware of the urgency of their responsibilities.

Even in terms of getting things done from a legal perspective, every one to two years I have to renew my work permit and visa in China. It’s a very clear-cut process when you go through agents, and it is an hour’s visit to the immigration office and it takes about a week to process. Everything is very systematic and organised, which helps as you know what to expect.

Simply, the rules are very clear. What I’ve realised in the past few years that my staff are beginning to value a good work-life balance, as they too want to spend time with their kids and their families. This is quite different from how things were several years ago.

How is your overall experience in Guangzhou, knowing they have a completely different system in place?

Great experience. They have more apps in China than in any other country in the world. Mind you, the apps here only operate in Chinese. Once you figure out how to use the apps, it makes your life a lot easier. The kind of services and the variety of services that can be provided here is something you don’t see in other countries.

I made a point to learn the local language to a level where I didn’t have to be reliant on someone else. I did private classes = for a few months, but later on, I used a trick that my teacher taught me: pick 5-10 words a day and memorise them. In a week, let’s say you have 70 words, out of which even if you remember 30-35, you’re still better off than the week before. It took me a while to get used to living here, but after a couple of years, I can safely say China has become my home; for now, at least.

How are the entrepreneurial opportunities in China?

Loads of opportunities to grow here, even in industries I’m not a part of. The beauty of being in China is that I get calls from all over the world, either friends or acquaintances, making inquiries about furniture, toys, building materials, sports equipment, you name it. Things move quite quickly here and everyone is hungry for business which I can respect.

Is the business an extension of family endeavours or your own career path and project?

Bit of both. Dad started the business in Thailand in the early 80s, and my brother and I saw an opportunity to grow in the 2000s. Fast forward 14 years and I’m still here!

How have your interactions with the local Thai-Indian or Indian community in China been?

The Indian community here is quite small and as such is warm and extremely helpful. Anytime I’ve needed any help or was craving some special meals, for example, it’s just a phone call away. They’ve always tried to involve everyone in any activities or events years ago. It’s hard to imagine now, but the city I moved to back then was completely different from what it is today.  The language barrier was a huge challenge, and there was a noticeable lack of a foreign community or international restaurants at the time. On top of that, many popular websites like Google and YouTube were blocked, which made adapting even more difficult. from Holi, Diwali and any other pujas along the way. I can honestly say I’m closer to the Indian community here than the one in Bangkok.

How have you managed connections with family and friends?

I’ve always known where my priorities lay and give all my energy to family and work. I’ve made and continue to make frequent trips to Bangkok to visit my parents and try my best to be back for things like birthdays or Diwali whenever I can. Fortunately, I have a good team at work, so should I need to take time off work, I know my office can handle it. Especially with technology as such, if there’s anything that needs my immediate attention, my staff contacts me through WeChat. I can basically work from anywhere.

What’s next for Aakash Chugani?

For now, I’m in Guangzhou. I don’t see a need to make any moves at the moment. However, should an opportunity arise, I’m happy to move back to Bangkok or another country wherever that might be. I have no issues about picking up and moving. Moreover, I make around six to eight trips a year to Bangkok considering a flight is less than three hours from Guangzhou.

Chirag Chugani – currently in Guangzhou and has been for the past 16 years.

I was born and raised in Bangkok, and lived there until I was 18. I graduated from NIST in Bangkok and then moved to Melbourne, Australia, for college. Despite my time abroad, Thailand remains close to my heart as my friends and family still live there. After graduating from Monash University with a major in Marketing, I faced a career decision: pursue a traditional marketing role or join the family business. Inspired by my father’s success in the export business, I chose the latter. Although we had an office in Bangkok, I worked under my uncle in Hong Kong and China. I spent a year in Hong Kong before moving to Guangzhou to run the office. My time there revealed immense opportunities in the region. After six years of invaluable experience, I started my own company in China. The decision was driven by the chance to learn, immerse myself in a dynamic market, and carve out my entrepreneurial path.

Describe your first run-in with cultural differences.

My first “welcome to China” moment happened on day one of arriving here, 16 years ago. It’s hard to imagine now, but the city I moved to back then was completely different from what it is today. The language barrier was a huge challenge, and there was a noticeable lack of a foreign community or international restaurants at the time. On top of that, many popular websites like Google and YouTube were blocked, which made adapting even more difficult. I’ll admit, I missed Bangkok a lot during those early days. The familiarity of home felt far away. But as I spent more time here, I began to truly understand the culture, the people, and their incredible work ethic. I was amazed by the pace of technological advancement and how much opportunity the city offered. Looking back, those initial struggles were part of what made the experience so rewarding. If I could turn back time, I wouldn’t change a thing. This city has shaped me in ways I never imagined, and I feel grateful for the journey.

After 16 years, would you say your experience in Guangzhou has been fruitful?

My overall experience has been incredible. I love this city and everything it offers. Initially, the language was challenging, but I knew I had to learn it to succeed. It took about a year, and I’m still improving daily. Learning the language helped me build relationships with colleagues and suppliers.

Technological advancements came later, making life easier. The harder the experience, the stronger you become, and my time in China has proven that true. It helped me mature and grow beyond my comfortable bubble in Bangkok. Making foreign friends early on also helped me settle in quicker.

Can you give us a brief breakdown of how the work culture differs from that of other countries?

Efficiency. Efficiency. Efficiency. This is the one major difference I have noticed between work culture in China and anywhere else in the world. I have clients mainly from South America and I have noticed their way of working compared to China are worlds apart. In China, everyone is a workaholic, whether it be the janitor in the building or the top-level manager in the company. Doing the job right, regardless of the time it takes, is their number one priority. My suppliers and staff would happily reply to any inquiry, be it at 7 am or at 10 pm! I have had times when I have come to the office on a Sunday to catch up on some of my work, only to find all of my staff here as well! When questioned, “What are you all doing in the office?” their reply was, “Sorry boss, we couldn’t finish everything by Saturday, so we wanted to come and get the job done.” Their commitment to the job is truly unbelievable and is also probably one of the biggest reasons why China is where they are today.

How well has your industry grown over the past years, and what supports the success?

I work in the fast fashion clothing industry, primarily serving South American markets. To put it simply, what I do would not be possible anywhere else in the world. Fast fashion requires access to a vast and efficient supply chain, including fabrics, accessories, designs, and quick lead times. In China, I can complete a task in 30 days, which would take at least 120 days in Thailand. The ability to source anything and everything instantly is what makes China the ‘global factory’ of the world.

The government has also played a significant role in supporting the industry. By maintaining vibrant local markets, allowing suppliers the flexibility to operate efficiently, and facilitating customer access to China, they’ve made doing business here seamless. The organisation of global trade fairs, such as the Canton Fair in Guangzhou, further showcases the country’s commitment to connecting businesses and fostering growth. While challenges do exist, such as navigating cultural differences or staying compliant with regulations, I’ve found that the opportunities far outweigh them. The business-friendly environment and infrastructure have made it much easier to operate and grow. Overall, China’s efficiency, resources and support have been instrumental in helping my business succeed in this highly competitive industry.

Is it safe to say this is part of the family business?

As mentioned earlier, I decided to work under my uncle for around six years before starting my own path. So, in a way, it is something that a lot of the elders in my family members do for work, but it also isn’t, as I chose my own industry in terms of what I supply and also to which clients I supply. What I do is, what you can say, an extension of my father’s business but completely on my own to new markets and clients.

Have your relationships with the local Thai-Indian or Indian community in China been nurtured well?

When I first moved to Guangzhou, only two of my Thai-Indian cousins lived here. Our community was small, with about 100-200 people, but it grew significantly over the next five years. We have a close-knit community where everyone knows each other. Many Indians live in Regal Court, which also houses our local mandir and Indian supermarket, making it easy to meet and connect with others. Newcomers are warmly welcomed to help them settle in. Age isn’t a barrier to friendship here; I have friends ranging from 26 to 56 years old, both married and single, with kids or without. It’s a refreshing change from my life in Bangkok.

How do you balance business and family? How challenging has it been?

Guangzhou is only a 2.5-hour flight ride away, which makes it a lot easier to keep in touch and visit my family and friends back home. As for me, I moved here when I was 21 and got married about four years ago. My wife and kid live in Guangzhou with me, so it’s been great to have them here after being alone all these years. I was also lucky to be able to meet my parents, my sister and all my friends quite often, and it didn’t affect the relationships as much. Of course, when it comes to friends, that was the age everyone started their own journey in life, so keeping in touch on a daily basis was tough, but nothing has changed after all these years.

How do you keep your Thai-Indian heritage alive in unfamiliar territory?

When it comes to my Thai heritage, the only way I could do this is by eating as much Thai food as possible [laughs]. However, when it comes to my Indian background, it was much easier to keep it alive as I have a lot of my Indian friends who live here as well. We have Diwali balls, parties and countless gatherings that help us keep in touch with our heritage.

Do you plan on staying in China for the foreseeable future, or is there a move back to Thailand?

A move back to Thailand is definitely on the cards. I have been away for so long and now that I have a new baby boy in my life, I want him to experience what I did growing up in Bangkok. My wife and I have decided that raising him till the age of 4-5 years-old in China would be the best scenario for us and only move back to Thailand when he has to start schooling. Even though I love Guangzhou and have my business established here, a move back to Bangkok is long overdue. A lot of my friends have done this recently, moving their immediate family overseas and travelling back for work when they need to. This is something that I would do as well in the future. Many of my closest friends have moved and/or are planning to move sometime in the future. As for me, if I do move, there will be no other place than Thailand.