Mastercard has named Winnie Wong as its new Country Manager for Thailand and Myanmar. Wong, who will be operating out of Bangkok, is set to oversee all Mastercard activities across these two important markets. Her role will involve driving business development, implementing advanced payment solutions, and expanding Mastercard’s commercial offerings to businesses and SMEs in the region.
Wong brings a wealth of experience to her new role, having worked in the payments and banking sectors across Southeast Asia for over 20 years. Her career spans markets such as Vietnam, Singapore, and Malaysia. Since joining Mastercard in 2013, Wong has been instrumental in promoting B2B platforms and enhancing cross-border trade efficiency across Asia Pacific.
Safdar Khan, Division President for Southeast Asia at Mastercard, commented on Wong’s appointment, saying, “Winnie’s extensive experience across Southeast Asia will be greatly valuable to Mastercard in Thailand and Myanmar. Her deep insights into digital payments and commercial solutions, and her leadership across key strategic initiatives in this region will play a crucial role in contributing to the advancement of Thailand’s digital economy, the growth of its SME sector and its transition toward a cashless society.”
The timing of Wong’s appointment aligns with Thailand’s accelerating digital transformation and growing focus on SME development. The country’s digital economy is projected to reach between US$100 and US$165 billion by 2030, with digital payments expected to hit US$310 billion in transaction value. With 99.5% of Thai businesses classified as SMEs, the government aims to increase their GDP contribution from 35% to 40% by 2027. Wong’s extensive background in commercial payments will be crucial in supporting these goals.
Reflecting on her new role, Wong said, “It is my honor and privilege to take on this role and work alongside such a dedicated Mastercard team in Thailand and Myanmar. I look forward to partnering with Mastercard’s customers and partners as we shape the future of payments and digital innovation in Thailand together and contribute to the growth of its economy. I am especially excited to support the government’s agenda to build an innovative, secure and inclusive digital economy that benefits everyone – individuals and businesses alike.”
Wong continues to serve as the Country Manager for Vietnam, Laos, and Cambodia—a position she has held since 2019. During her tenure, she has played a key role in developing secure payment ecosystems and has been active in promoting financial inclusion in Vietnam. Wong has also championed women’s empowerment through initiatives such as Mastercard Strive Women in partnership with CARE, aiming to support two million female entrepreneurs in Vietnam.
Her appointment follows the departure of Jonathan Wood, who has returned to the UK for personal reasons. Khan expressed gratitude to Wood for his contributions and confidence in Wong’s ability to build on the successes in Thailand, Myanmar, and her other markets