Central Group
The Central Group of Companies (Thai: กลุ่มเซ็นทรัล) or Central Holding is a family-owned conglomerate holding company in Thailand that is involved in merchandising, real estate, retailing, hospitality and restaurants. Among its subsidiaries are Central Pattana and the Central Retail Corporation. Its current CEO is Tos Chirathivat, grandson of the company founder. Its chief rival is The Mall Group, which owns Siam Paragon and The Emporium and several suburban shopping centres.
History
Tiang Chirathivat, an overseas Chinese from Hainan, started a general merchandise store in 1947 in Samphanthawong District, Bangkok's Chinatown. In 1957, Tiang's son, Samrit Chirathivat, opened the first Central Department Store in Wangburapha, Phra Nakhon, Bangkok. The company's property development arm, Central Pattana was founded in 1980, and opened its first shopping centre, CentralPlaza Ladprao in Chatuchak District, Bangkok in 1982. Besides expansion through physical presence in the Bangkok retail space, Central Group has in recent years built an online presence among ASEAN e-tailers.