The Nation
BANGKOK: -- Vanchai Chirathivat, long the patriarch of one of richest, most extended and best-known business families in Thailand, passed away yesterday. He was 84.
The Central Group's chairman, who was fighting prostrate cancer before he died, had largely retired from the running of the key Central Group businesses, which he entrusted to relatives and children. He is the father of top executives Kobchai, Pichai and Chintana Boonyarat
Vanchai lately only served honorary roles for family businesses. He was the honorary chairman of Central Plaza Hotel Public Co. Ltd, chairman emeritus of Post Publishing Public Co., Ltd, honorary chairman of Central Pattana Public Co. Ltd, among other companies.
Second son of Chinese migrant Tiang Chirathivat, Vanchai was largely credited for the success of the "Family Council" of the Chirathivats. Vanchai followed up on the Family Council idea after the passing away of his elder brother and Tiang’s first son, Samrit Chirathivat.
The concept of "Family Council", adapted through thorough studies of Chinese, Thai and western commercially or politically successful families, was mainly the reason why the Chirathivats became one of the country’s most-extended business success stories.
Vanchai’s vision and management style were also one of the reasons why his expanded family businesses surived economic hardest times in Thailand.
He was married to Sumalee Chirathivat and was survived by four sons and one daughter.
His funeral is taking place at the Thepsirin Temple.
-- The Nation 2012-09-15
