Dhanin Chearavanont
Dhanin Chearavanont | |
|---|---|
| Born | April 19, 1939 Thailand |
| Other names | Xie Guomin, Chia Kok Min |
| Occupation(s) | Entrepreneur, Businessman |
| Known for | Senior chairman of Charoen Pokphand Group |
Dhanin Chearavanont (; ; born 19 April 1939), also referred to as Xie Guomin or Chia Kok Min in the Teochew language (), is a Chinese-Thai billionaire entrepreneur headquartered in Bangkok. He holds the position of senior chairman at Charoen Pokphand, recognized as Thailand's largest private enterprise. As the head of the Chearavanont family, Forbes Asia placed them fourth among Asia's wealthiest families in 2017, with a combined net worth of US$36.6 billion. By January 2021, Dhanin's personal fortune was valued at approximately $17.2 billion. Later, in July 2021, Forbes estimated the collective wealth of the Chearavanont brothers at US$12.8 billion, and by July 2022, Forbes identified them as Thailand's most affluent family.
Early life and education
Born in 1939 as the youngest child of Chia Ek Chor, Dhanin Chearavanont completed his primary education at Sarasit Wittaya School, a Chinese institution located in Ban Pong District, Ratchaburi province, graduating in 1949. He continued his studies at Shantou No.1 High School in China starting in 1952 and later enrolled at the Education University of Hong Kong in 1956. His educational background also includes training at Thailand's National Defence College.
Business
Chearavanont established significant connections with leaders of the Chinese Communist Party, which facilitated CP Group’s growth into the largest foreign land lessee in China, controlling approximately 200,000 hectares by 2012.
Philanthropy
In response to the Covid-19 crisis in 2020, Dhanin contributed US$21.8 million to support Thailand’s pandemic relief initiatives.
Personal life
He follows Buddhism as his spiritual practice.