Chatri Sophonpnich

Chatri Sophonpanich is the chairman of Bangkok Bank Public Co (website)., Ltd founded by his father, Chin in 1944. He also chairs Dusit Thani Public Co., Ltd (http://www.dusit.com/)
which owns hotels in various parts in Asia.

Sophonpanich was born on Feb. 28, 1934 in Bangkok, Thailand. His grandfather was a Chinese immigrant from Chaoyang who worked as a sawmill clerk. His father, Chin, was also born in Bangkok and first worked as a manual laborer. He also worked as a teacher and a lumber trader.

Sophonpanich graduated with a degree in Accountancy from Kwang Tai High Accountancy College in Hong Kong. He also obtained a diploma at the Regent Street Polytechnic of London and the Institute of Bankers in England. He also received a vocational training at the Royal Bank of Scotland. He has an Honorary Degree of Business Management from Dela Salle University in the Philippines and an Honorary Degree of Law from Peperdine University in California, USA.

Chatri started his banking career in 1958 at Asia Trust Co. Ltd where he served as Assistant Vice President. A year later, he took the same position at their family-owned Bangkok Bank. He became Bangkok Bank’s President in 1980 until 1992. It was during his 12-year tenure that Bangkok Bank adopted the policy of “the Quality Bank.” It is also the first bank to offer an online network in Thailand.

Sources:

Studwell, Joe. Asian Godfathers: Money and Power in Hong Kong and Southeast Asia. Retrieved on September 3, 2009 from http://books.google.com/books?id=w_Oqw0fMKz4C&pg=PA242&lpg=PA242&dq=thai-chinese+tycoons&source=bl&ots=M4gb2__dlr&sig=YPfocG11p3lA4cR-ZlBrPUCp7fE&hl=en&ei=4ieaSoTqGMb-kAXOptirAg&sa=X&oi=book_result&ct=result&resnum=7#v=onepage&q=thai-chinese%20tycoons&f=false

http://globalbusinessleaders.org/WebPage/LeaderBio.aspx?leaderCd=l001&levelcd=c02r047