Dreamers & Makers

Six months ago, Chanont Wangpuchakane made the difficult decision to leave his role, friends, and wider family in Thailand in order to work in Australia. We explore his reasons and the process of settling into a new country and home.

What is your role at Tactix Sener, and why did you choose this job?

I work as a Senior Consultant for Systems & Safety Assurance in Brisbane. I started with the company in November last year. In short, my role is to analyse and endorse design plans given to us by other contractors, to ensure that they meet safety standards.
Before I joined the company, I was a Systems Assurance Manager in Thailand, with my own team, but I was actually looking for opportunities in both Australia and Canada that were in the same field. Diego Herrero (State Director Queensland S&SA) reached out to me about a role with Tactix Sener and it sounded like a good fit for me, so I joined.

I chose to move to Australia because of my family. I felt that they would have a better life here, especially my children for their future and their job opportunities, as Australia has a much better education system. For me, no sacrifice is too great if it means a better life for my family. This is why I was willing to give up my comforts in Thailand and make the ‘risky’ decision to work in Australia. I don’t need to be rich. The only reward I need is my family’s smiles.

Happiness is not just about the growth in your bank account, but also the smiles from your loved ones

Do you have any doubts or regrets about your decision?

No, I don’t have any doubts. Ever since the start I’ve had no regrets. For 9 years I have been interested in coming to Australia to work. I’d say the biggest difficulty I had was understanding the Australian accent when I first came here!
Even though I don’t have a lot of free time now, I still get to enjoy my hobbies. Not many people know this, but I enjoy playing the guitar. I also do watercolour painting and sketching, which I post onto my Instagram. There’s also a lot I like about Australia. For example, it’s a lot more relaxed compared to the fast-paced life in Asian countries. School is also a lot less stressful compared to Thailand, which is good for the kids. The traffic is a lot smoother, meaning you can get back home faster, and the weather is much more pleasant. The people here are also so friendly and welcoming.

What do you like most about working for Tactix Sener?

I find my work with Tactix Sener rewarding. My co-workers are great and the company respects my work and the field of engineering. Tactix Sener treats everyone equally, which really makes me feel like I’m in a multi-cultural company, and am a valued part of the organization. I also appreciate the flexible working hours. It’s a lot less restrictive than previous companies I’ve worked at.