Page 33 - Forbes - Asia (July - August 2018)
P. 33
Two of four generations of the family business:
Supapan with daughter Natapree (“Pim”).
property, much of it undeveloped. he 57 ness grows, but both mother and daughter may be unique. More daughters are taking
Chao Phraya Express boats account for one say boats will always be their core busi- over companies from their fathers through-
third of the revenue. hey run like pub- ness. “When you see the Supatra brand, you out Asia. But a daughter taking over from
lic buses for 13 miles up and down the know it must be by the water,” says Supapan. her mother is rare, and a fourth generation
river, hauling more than 100,000 passen- Even in a region known for its family- of daughters assuming the reins is unheard
gers a month. heir share of the group’s re- owned companies controlled by successive of. Overall, only around 3% of new busi-
ceipts might shrink as the real estate busi- generations, the Pichaironarongsongkrams nesses worldwide will stay in the family and
JULY / AUGUST 2018 FORBES ASIA | 31
