Born and based in Bangkok, Dhanin Chearavanont (also called Chia Kok Min) is the youngest son of Chia Ek Chor, who along with his brother (Dhanin’s uncle) moved to Thailand from China and in 1921 set up a business selling seeds and chemicals used in agriculture. With Dhanin at the head, the business, which was to become Charoen Pokphand Group or CP Group, became involved with other ventures pertaining to agriculture, including technology, as well as diversifying geographically into many Asian countries.

When China opened its markets to foreign companies in the 1980’s, the CP Group became the preferred supplier and partner for some of the world’s leading brands including Walmart and Honda. Today, the CP Group is not only Thailand’s largest private company, but the world’s biggest producer of animal feed, as well as interests in, among other industries, insurance, automotive, petrochemicals and real estate.

Dhanin runs the group along with Jaran, Montri and Sumet his three brothers and their cousins, and collectively they were the fourth richest family in Asia in 2017. In recent years he has stepped down from his position as CEO and chairman.