Chatri Sophonpanich, chairman of the Board of Directors and Adviser to the Executive Board of the Bangkok Bank, has died. He was 85.
Media reported he died of natural causes at 8pm at Bumrungrad Hospital
Chatri was the second son of the Bangkok Bank founder, Chin Sophonpanich.
He was appointed chairman and adviser in 1999.
Educated in Hong Kong at the Kwang Tai High Accountancy College, he furthered his studies at the Regent Street Polytechnic of London and the Institute of Bankers in England.
Chatri joined his father's Bangkok Bank as an assistant accounting manager in 1959, and rose to become its fourth president from 1980-92.
He was the second generation management, inheriting the bank from his father and becoming one of the country's most respected bankers.
During his tenure, Bangkok Bank became the leading bank in the country with focus on quality service and technology. He oversaw the introduction of an online network in the banking sector.
Chatri stepped down from bank presidency and was succeeded by his own son, Chartsiri, in 1994.
Forbes ranked him the 26th richest person in Thailand with cash and assets of about 45.57 billion baht.
His family announced plans to hold the funeral at the Holy Redeemer Church on Ruam Rudi Road in Bangkok.
