Charlem Yoovidhya, King of World Energy Drinks Worth IDR 406 T

Jakarta, CNNIndonesia —

Who doesn’t know Kratingdaengthe world’s best-selling energy drink that makes stamina clear? In Europe and America, this stamina enhancing drink product is known by the name Red Bull.

The brand is famous because it is often the main sponsor of sporting events to music. Although their products are known throughout the world, not many know who owns the beverage business.

That is Chalerm Yoovidhya. Actually, he is the second generation in this business. Forbes notes that his net worth is US$26.4 billion or the equivalent of Rp.406.5 trillion, using an assumed exchange rate of Rp.15,400 per US dollar.

These funds place Chalerm as the second richest person in Thailand, after the Chearavanont family which owns the Charoen Pokphand Group.

Chalerm was born on April 2, 1950 in Bangkok, Thailand. He is the second child of Chaleo Yoovidhya, the founder of TC Pharmaceuticals (TCP Group), which produces Kratingdaeng Krating.

Chaleo died in 2012. His business baton was passed on to his sons. Chalerm became the heir who got the largest portion of shares in the company.

Long before becoming a stock heir, Chalerm had helped his parents’ business for a long time. He started his career at his father’s company in the early 1980s as general manager.

His position rose to become executive vice president and then served as company president from 2000 to 2008. After that, Chalerm became one of the company’s directors and major shareholder.

He has various business faucets to fill the coffers of his wealth. The main one, of course, is the TCP Group, a conglomeration of businesses engaged in various sectors including beverages, pharmaceuticals, food and property.

Chalerm is also listed as one of the owners of Asia Pacific Glass (APG). It is a leading glass manufacturing company in Asia, which produces various types of glass for various needs such as for automotive and electronics.

He also ventured into the agricultural and livestock business through the Chalerm Phra Kiat Group. The company is engaged in milk processing, meat cutting and fruit processing.

Ever heard of Boon Rawd Brewery beer? Well, Chalerm also owns shares in this Thailand’s number one beer producer company.

Apart from these businesses, he also invests in various other companies and owns various properties spread across his homeland, the United States to England.

not like crazy rich others, he avoids public scrutiny for both his business and personal matters. This closed attitude seems to have been inherited from his late father, who never wanted to accept offers of media interviews as long as he was alive.

Chalerm’s behavior is also not adventurous. He is relatively clean of scandals, although not completely zero cases. Chalerm’s name has appeared in a Panama Papers report.

In the report, he is named as one of the owners of an anonymous company in Panama called The Honor Worldwide Co., Ltd. The Panama Papers reveal the company was founded in 2006 by law firm Mossack Fonseca, to manage the assets of the Yoovidhya family.

When the report emerged, Chalerm was reluctant to provide a public comment.

In fact, the ownership of shell companies in tax haven countries like Panama is not illegal. However, such shell companies are often used to hide wealth or carry out unlawful financial activities.

Outside of business activities, Chalerm is known as a donor. He heavily funded health and education programs.

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