KHOKBAWA FAMILY
Our Story
Khokbawa started in a small village in Udon Thani, Thailand. Our grandmother made charcoal by hand from earth mounds to support her family. It was slow work, but it taught us the value of doing things properly.
The next generation looked for ways to improve and built simple machines that turned weeks into days. In 2021, that same mindset led to the creation of Khokbawa Engineering, allowing us to design and build our own machines.
When the third generation stepped in, a turning point emerged. We realized this wasn’t just charcoal. Biochar had the power to restore soils, store carbon, and turn waste into something valuable. What began locally could now help people and land far beyond our village.
That realization defines our work today. As a Thai-French family working with an international team, we turn biomass into biochar, activated carbon, and climate solutions. We stay hands-on, work fast, and take responsibility from machine to real-world impact.
If you believe simple ideas, built with care, can help change the world for the better, you’re already one of us.
WHAT DOES "KHOKBAWA" MEAN ?
KHOKBAWA comes from Thai and Isan words meaning
“the small hill where plum trees grow”
It is the name of the land our ancestors passed down to us.
From family home to factory, everything we build starts there.
KHOKBAWA keeps us rooted, no matter how far we go.
OUR TEAM
Founder & Director
Manit Lemaitre is the heart and visionary behind Khokbawa, transforming charcoal production with furnaces that weave local heritage into global innovation. From Bangkok, she steers our mission, igniting partnerships and sales with her passion for sustainability. Fluent in French and inspired by her international education, Manit keeps Khokbawa tethered to its roots in Ban Lao Udom, where her family’s legacy fuels a brighter, greener future for all.
Chief Operating Officer in Asia
Matthew Sampawo joined Khokbawa in early 2025, driving our global growth with bold vision. Holding dual master’s degrees in business innovation and creative arts from top-tier universities in France and New Zealand, and fluent in five languages, he fuses filmmaking, medical insight, and strategic expertise. As Manit’s son, Matthew blends innovative strategies with our core mission, forging impactful partnerships and fueling scalable success. His ability to connect markets and cultures inspires investor trust, positioning Khokbawa for worldwide triumph.
Chief Engineer
Chumchana Noipaina, with over 30 years of engineering mastery, is the genius crafting Khokbawa’s cutting-edge furnaces. From his roots in Ban Lao Udom to a career at NXP Semiconductors and studies at Rajamangala University, he designs technology that’s safe, efficient, and built to last. His relentless innovation ensures every product inspires confidence, turning our partners’ dreams into reality with sustainable, world-class solutions.
Head of Human Resources
Praopilai Oonoua brings a wealth of experience and a dynamic presence to her role as HR Manager for the Khokbawa Group, overseeing human resources for both our core operations and the upcoming Khokbawa Cosmetics division. With a proven track record of managing diverse businesses, from a thriving Korean skincare brand to a portfolio of apartment buildings across Bangkok, Praopilai has honed her ability to lead with precision and foster trust. Her sharp business acumen and knack for building strong, cohesive teams have made her an indispensable part of the Khokbawa family, where she is deeply trusted by colleagues and leadership alike. Praopilai's approachable yet professional demeanor creates a supportive environment, ensuring every team member feels valued and empowered. As she shapes our HR strategies, she is driving Khokbawa’s vision of innovation and sustainability by cultivating a workforce that is as passionate about our mission as she is, blending her entrepreneurial spirit with a relatable warmth that inspires growth and unity.
Chief Operating Officer in Europe
Elias Cherraben, our newest team member, is the driving force behind our European operations, bringing boundless energy and a contagious enthusiasm that uplifts the entire team. With a robust background in import-export and a keen understanding of international trade, Elias draws from his early experiences in his family’s vineyard business, where he developed a sharp instinct for identifying lucrative opportunities. His innate flair for business, honed from a young age, is matched by his relentless ambition to achieve greatness. Tasked with leading our European market expansion, Elias combines his trade expertise with a strategic vision, forging key partnerships and navigating market dynamics with precision. Fluent in multiple languages and a natural motivator, he is poised to elevate our brand’s presence across Europe, turning his lifelong dream of impactful success into reality.
Sales Manager
Nusara Sampawo, our Thailand Sales Manager since our company’s founding, is a powerhouse in the biochar, charcoal, and charcoal briquette industry, with over a decade of expertise and an unrivaled grasp of the Thai market. Her strategic insight, fluency in Thai and English, and strong relationships with suppliers and clients have driven consistent growth, securing high-value partnerships and exceeding sales targets. A dynamic leader, Tye mentors our team, champions sustainable practices, and blends data-driven precision with a visionary approach to solidify our market leadership in Thailand.
Managing Director
Tepparit Karngaow, our visionary Managing Director, brings a remarkable journey of resilience and innovation to our company. A former soldier with two years of diverse military training, Tepparit transitioned to a five-year tenure in South Korea’s industrial sector, where he excelled in a challenging stock management and reporting role typically reserved for locals, mastering it with precision as a foreigner. Feeling the monotony of routine work, he declined a contract extension to pursue greater ambitions, returning to Thailand to train as a chef. While awaiting his course, Tepparit discovered charcoal production, sparking a passion that led him to establish our charcoal briquette factory with his final savings. Undeterred by countless trials, the Covid-19 crisis, and four targeted attacks from competitors, he persevered, proving his mettle through exceptional results. Over the past six years, Tepparit has driven continuous innovation, designing proprietary machinery and elevating our factory into a trusted name, earning widespread customer acclaim and serving as an inspiring consultant to many.
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