Early Life
Charoen Sirivadhanabhakdi was born in Bangkok, Thailand, in 1944, to a Thai Chinese family. He was the sixth of eleven children of a street vendor. He left school at a young age to start working. His Chinese name is Su Xuming. The family later adopted the Thai surname Sirivadhanabhakdi.
Rise to Success
Sirivadhanabhakdi began his career supplying distilleries that produced Thai whiskey. Through these connections, he obtained a license to produce his own alcoholic drinks. In 1993, he launched Chang beer, which quickly gained a 60% market share in Thailand. He successfully sued Carlsberg in 2005, winning US$120 million. His business acumen led to him becoming a major player in the beverage industry. Since the early 2000s, Charoen has also become very successful in property development, creating a company called TCC Land Co. Ltd., which is one of the biggest property developers in Thailand.
Key Business Strategies
A key strategy was the acquisition of key licenses and a focus on building strong brands like Chang beer. Charoen expanded into property development through TCC Land Co. Ltd., and has ventured into retail and sports. He has also built a significant presence in real estate, retail, and the hospitality sector. In May 2025, Charoen transferred control of key companies to his five children equally.
Philanthropy
Charoen and his late wife, Khunying Wanna, co-established the Sirivadhanabhakdi Foundation, which focuses on healthcare and community welfare. The foundation has supported hospitals throughout Thailand by supplying medical equipment and essentials.
