Dej Bulsuk, the businessman who brought McDonald's restaurants to Thailand and spearheaded their growth for more than two decades, died of a heart attack on Friday evening at the age of 68.
Dej opened the first branch of McDonald's at Sogo shopping centre, now Amarin Plaza, at the Ratchaprasong intersection in Bangkok, in 1983. He went on to lead McThai Co, the local operator of the restaurant chain, and served as its honorary chairman from 2004-06.
He also served as an independent board director at several leading firms including GMM Media, Jay Mart Co, the Erwan Group and Siam Future Development Plc.
Antony Dej Bulsuk held a bachelor's degree in commerce and accountancy from Thammasat University and another bachelor's degree in business administration, also from Thammasat.
He was also a noted musician and composer, releasing two recordings of original songs performed and conducted by Shardad Rohani with the London Symphony Orchestra. Other recordings by the Bangkok Symphony orchestra and others also feature his work.
Relatives took the body to Holy Redeemer Church on Soi Ruamrudee, where religious rites will be held until Tuesday. The family has asked that funeral wreaths not be offered.
