Claire Buaphan is an Analyst at The Asia Group, where she supports the Southeast Asia team by analyzing political, economic, and business dynamics, with a focus on Thailand.
Prior to joining TAG, Claire worked extensively in government, trade, and public-private partnerships. As a Trade and Investment Promotion Officer with the Royal Thai Consulate in Shanghai, she conducted independent research on the impact of the US-China trade war on Thai industries, delivering policy recommendations and monitoring economic and market trends. Claire also served as a cultural liaison supporting U.S. Special Forces in Southeast Asia where she provided interpretation and cross-cultural communication support, fostering diplomatic and operational collaboration between strategic partners. She played a key role in Thailand’s APEC host year, serving as a Trade and Investment Promotion Officer and APEC Officer at the Board of Trade of Thailand and Thailand Chamber of Commerce where she provided direct support to the APEC CEO Chairman. Beyond her government and diplomatic experience, Claire co-founded and led a handmade jewelry business in Southeast Asia and earned recognition from the U.S. Embassy in Bangkok and Thailand’s Ministry of Commerce for her business model.
Claire holds a bachelor’s degree in political science from Thammasat University, where she specialized in international political economy with a focus on Southeast Asia. She also earned a Global Business Certificate from the University of Washington. During her academic years, she served as a liaison officer at the United Nations Office for South-South Cooperation (UNOSSC) and Thailand’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Additionally, she volunteered with the U.S. Department of State as a host economy liaison officer for Thai ministers at the U.S. APEC Senior Officials’ Meeting 3 (SOM 3) in Seattle, WA.
Originally from Bangkok, Thailand, Claire recently moved to Arlington from Seattle. She is bilingual in Thai and English and enjoys basketball, exploring new restaurants, cooking Thai food, and travelling with her family and friends in her free time.