Established Farang Families- Bangkok's Modern History

[mad_dog]

I recall reading in guide books and newspapers and learning from various other sources that there are (I think) several Thai national farang families that moved here perhaps one or two hundred years ago and have become very well to do not just in terms of wealth alone or connections with the royal family or politically. But families of white people who have become part of the establishment by which I mean royal connections, wealth, political influence, unlimited access and upper class/ aristocratic bearing etc etc

I stopped reading the Bangkok Post a few years ago due to the endless repetition. When I was a reader I would occasionally see one of these white (very white) people in the Outlook’s society page. Also I recall a few of the most influential families being of Northern European (perhaps Scandinavian) origin and their families setting up the first modern pharmacies in Bangkok and attracting royal patronage through this. This I am sad to say is all I can remember on the subject of these farang families who moved here a century or two ago and have retained, to a large extent, their European ethnicity.

I am not looking for any information on any Westerners who move in the elite due to marriages to Thai Royals, or for ultra rich foreign bankers who hang out with the “hiso” set and not even people like that Minor Foods (Pizza Company) guy who I think moved here and later became a Thai citizen.

These wealthy foreign families may have been swept away by history but it is a little tale I find interesting so if you do know anything please post away or PM me if you do not wish to reveal your geekiness or you think I’m damn wrong about all this and want to let me down gently.

[Happyman]

A start might be to dig into the origin of the Thai National Anthem as it was composed by (I think) a German who was a favourite of the Royal family and became the Court Musician or something similar

[Happyman]

Re above

Peter Feit (Thai name: Phra Jenduriyang), 1883-1968, composed the melody of the Thai National Anthem. He was the son of a German immigrant and royal advisor for music.

Maybe not far enough back for you but he did have a Thai name .

[Airportwo]

There is some mega rich - in the worlds "top 20" person who resides in Bangkok, you see the occasional mention of them, think they are Brit's, but would imagine they have influence? and know the right people?

[EmperorTud]

If estimates are to believed H.M. The King is one of the World's richest men and of course was born in the US and educated in Switzerland.
Indeed, he may even be the richest in the World.

^None of the top 100 richest people on this list are Thai or reside in Thailand.

List of billionaires (2009) - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

[mad_dog]

Re above

Peter Feit (Thai name: Phra Jenduriyang), 1883-1968, composed the melody of the Thai National Anthem. He was the son of a German immigrant and royal advisor for music.

Maybe not far enough back for you but he did have a Thai name .

No this is very interesting stuff. Thank you both.

[forreachingme]

There are a few Swiss families who migrated over here and talking about pharma business they were Zuellig and Diethelm, but this goes back 60 to 80 years at most i believe...
Both are quite big in terms of business in this part of the world today

I know a few guys who were working in the early days for those companies, expats leaving for over 50 years or over 35 years here, allways good stories to hear about the way they had to go throuh to reach this part of the world after a 1 or some times 2 month trip...

Early flight days as well, landing every few hundred miles for refuelling on the way in always more mistycal places...

Sadly one of this fellow died, at age 80 +,2 or 3 years ago,he was one very interesting person to listen to...

Meeting with important, or royals at that time wae more common then today, less foreigner gathered up to here...

[mad_dog]

There are a few Swiss families who migrated over here and talking about pharma business they were Zuellig and Diethelm, but this goes back 60 to 80 years at most i believe...
Both are quite big in terms of business in this part of the world today

I know a few guys who were working in the early days for those companies, expats leaving for over 50 years or over 35 years here, allways good stories to hear about the way they had to go throuh to reach this part of the world after a 1 or some times 2 month trip...

Early flight days as well, landing every few hundred miles for refuelling on the way in always more mistycal places...

Sadly one of this fellow died, at age 80 +,2 or 3 years ago,he was one very interesting person to listen to...

Meeting with important, or royals at that time wae more common then today, less foreigner gathered up to here...

You have a way with words you do. You do indeed.


Perhaps I imagined this fair skinned clique whose families have lived here for a century or more. If I were an AH I would go through the records of the oldest modern schools and and hospitals. This has really piqued my interest but it isn't a good topic to google.

[Loy Toy]

I remember when I first come to Thailand and you wanted to order drinking water you would say Nam Polarlis (Polaris) and they would bring you fresh drinking water whatever the brand they had. Have not seen their water product around for a while but sometimes see Orangina Orange Juice on the shelves here and the product I helped them launch in Thailand.

The traditional bottled drinking water in Bangkok is Polaris. Actually, the name Polaris, even though it's a brand name, is used as a generic name: Polaris water means bottled drinking water, even if it is manufactured by another company. Indeed, there are dozens of companies filling and distributing bottled drinking water. But in the judgement of this author, Polaris is still the best.


I used to work with this company as a supplier and as I understand The North Family owned that business and a Mrs North was the Chairperson (I never met her though but apparently quite wealthy and well positioned in society here).

Then you have Thames water although I think they have shut up shop now.

I could also add many more family names and those that have made it big here but would not be so bold but I will mention two husband and wife teams who have made over 50 million Euros each after intitally coming here on a holiday.

[English Noodles]

Of course there are such families still here, at one time the Silom district was under British law and was governed by a British Court.

[aging one]

Nam Kang Unique was also made by the North Company and was the only safe ice you could buy in the old days. 5 baht a bag 25+ years ago.

[Loy Toy]

Actually the company is called the "North Star Public Company Ltd" and their factory was on Nam Wong Wan Road.

They were the pioneers of the carbonated beverage and ozone purified water in Thailand and in the later years lost their way a bit by opening bars and pubs amongst other non related ventures. I think they still own the big german pub on Beach Road in Pattaya.

I am also not sure if the North family still have a stake in the business or not.

[English Noodles]

It is after all The British who are now credited for having led to the economic development of Bangkok, as it created a framework in which multilateral trade could operate freely in Southeast Asia.

[Loy Toy]

Agree there noodles!

Still one of my favourite places is the British Club in Silom and before heading down the Pong!

[mad_dog]

Actually the company is called the "North Star Public Company Ltd" and their factory was on Nam Wong Wan Road.

They were the pioneers of the carbonated beverage and ozone purified water in Thailand and in the later years lost their way a bit by opening bars and pubs amongst other non related ventures. I think they still own the big german pub on Beach Road in Pattaya.

I am also not sure if the North family still have a stake in the business or not.

The Hoover of the vac cleaner in the Thai bottled water business to possible part owner of German Pattaya Scut Bar within a few posts. Perhaps not one of the establishment figures we seek. (Only joking but it sounds a bit confused)

[Loy Toy]

The Hoover of the vac cleaner in the Thai bottled water business to possible part owner of German Pattaya Scut Bar within a few posts. Perhaps not one of the establishment figures we seek. (Only joking but it sounds a bit confused)

Imagine what it was like being a supplier to them!

One minute it was water bottle caps, then Orangina, I think they owned Green Spot drinks as well and then turned to opening bars and Restaurants.

If you know the Thai Chinese Guys who brought into that company you will probably understand why they lost their way.

[Thai Pom]

"North Star Public Company Ltd"

I used to drive past it every week on my way to EGAT accross the river. I think when we link up at the 10's we will be talking about old days not rugby. I really look forward to it

[matsalleh]

There are a few Swiss families who migrated over here and talking about pharma business they were Zuellig and Diethelm, but this goes back 60 to 80 years at most i believe...
Both are quite big in terms of business in this part of the world today

I know a few guys who were working in the early days for those companies, expats leaving for over 50 years or over 35 years here, allways good stories to hear about the way they had to go throuh to reach this part of the world after a 1 or some times 2 month trip...

Early flight days as well, landing every few hundred miles for refuelling on the way in always more mistycal places...

Sadly one of this fellow died, at age 80 +,2 or 3 years ago,he was one very interesting person to listen to...

Meeting with important, or royals at that time wae more common then today, less foreigner gathered up to here...

There is also still: Berli Jucker PLC, Thailand, that started around the same time.
By the way, Zuellig have in the Phils. a large pharmaceutical production company and also large offices in Manila.

[klongmaster]

at one time the Silom district was under British law and was governed by a British Court

care to tell us more on this EN...sounds interesting...

good thread MD...

[Loy Toy]

There is also still: Berli Jucker PLC, Thailand, that started around the same time.

Yes I worked with this company as well and they owned Thai Glass and as part of their business portfolio here. Very successful foreign owned company and has been here for well over 100 years and made a lot of money for the pioneers family.

I think when we link up at the 10's we will be talking about old days not rugby. I really look forward to it

I also look forward to your visit mate and to catch up for a beer, chat and of course the Rugby.

[EmperorTud]

Then you have Thames water although I think they have shut up shop now. I could also add many more family names and those that have made it big here

You must know heaps of farangs that have made millions here.

[Loy Toy]

You must know heaps of farangs that have made millions here.

Know a few Tuddy and if your a good boy maybe I will take you out to a few places where you might catch a glimpse of these people.

[EmperorTud]

Know a few Tuddy and if your a good boy maybe I will take you out to a few places where you might catch a glimpse of these people.

Can't be that many drink in the darkside surely?

[English Noodles]

^Fuck, it's Vern Schillinger from The Brotherhood.

[Smeg]

There is some mega rich - in the worlds "top 20" person who resides in Bangkok, you see the occasional mention of them, think they are Brit's, but would imagine they have influence? and know the right people?

Get fucking real. Billionaires who can live anywhere do not live in that cesspool. There are slightly nice bits, but they do not rate anywhere near the nicest places in the world to live.