Nearly a century ago, in 1927, a modest yet enterprising Chinese trader, Cheng Tiang, brought his family from Hainan to Bangkok and opened a small general store.

Built on a simple idea – everything in one place – the shop quickly became a cornerstone of daily life in its neighborhood. From that unassuming beginning grew what is now known as Central Group.

In time, the Cheng family adopted the Thai surname Chirathivat – the name under which they would go on to build one of the country’s most powerful business empires, spanning retail, real estate, investment, and beyond.

Nowhere is that scale more visible than in Phuket. From Tops minimarkets to major retail destinations such as Central, Robinson, and Porto de Phuket, the group’s presence is woven into the fabric of the island. Residential developments and a strategic stake in Grab form part of a vast, interconnected ecosystem. Today, Central’s reach extends globally – from London to Osaka.

According to Forbes, the Chirathivat family’s wealth runs into the billions. Yet the true intrigue lies not in the numbers, but in the architecture of the business itself.

Today, 232 members of the extended Chirathivat family bear the name, with 57 actively involved in the company. Governance is anchored by a family council and a formal family constitution, designed to safeguard the business against internal conflict, generational shifts, and economic turbulence.

Participation is reserved strictly for those born into the Chirathivat lineage – spouses are not involved in affiliated companies. Different branches of the family oversee distinct areas of the business, creating a structure that balances independence with cohesion.

As Central Group approaches its centenary, its ambitions remain as bold as ever. Across Thailand, the family has approved an investment program worth 120 billion baht, centered on the creation of a “city within a city” in Bangkok – a model intended for replication in key regions.

Central aims to redefine the shopping mall as an integrated ecosystem, where retail is complemented by restaurants, offices, hotels, and residential spaces.

This vision has been taking shape in Phuket since 2004. Over the past two decades, Central Phuket has evolved into precisely such a cluster.

The next chapter is already underway. Plans call for a 40% expansion of Central Phuket’s total footprint. As early as 2026, the luxury zone at Central Floresta will double in size, while by 2028, the expansion of Central Festival is expected to be complete.

1927
Chinese immigrant Cheng Tiang opens a small Bangkok shop – the seed of what would become Central Group.

1947
Together with his son Samrit, he expands the business, enlarging the store and introducing imported goods.

1956
The first Central Department Store opens – pioneering fixed price tags at a time when bargaining was still the norm.

1974
Flagship Central Chidlom debuts, becoming the group’s cornerstone asset for decades.

1978
The founder’s sons launch Thailand’s first Mister Donut franchise in Bangkok.

1980
Central begins building its development and hospitality arms – Central Plaza (now Central Pattana) and Centara Hotels & Resorts.

1990
Nationwide expansion accelerates, including entry into Chiang Mai and Phuket.

1995
Rapid growth of Robinson and Tops; Robinson Ocean Phuket opens on the island.

1997
Central weathers the Asian financial crisis and launches new retail concepts, including Power Buy and Supersports.

1999
Phuket welcomes its first Centara property: Centara Villas Phuket.

2004
Opening of Central Festival Phuket, marking a new era for retail on the island.

2005
King Bhumibol Adulyadej grants Central Retail the royal Garuda emblem – one of Thailand’s highest corporate honors.

2010
Launch of Centara Grand Beach Resort Phuket.

2011
Central enters Europe with the acquisition of La Rinascente.

2013
First Phuket branch of Thai Watsadu opens.

2014
Opening of Central Embassy, one of the group’s landmark architectural projects.

2015
European expansion continues with acquisitions of KaDeWe Group and Illum.

2018
Central Festival Phuket doubles in size with the opening of the luxury wing Central Floresta; the complex is rebranded as Central Phuket.

2018
Construction of Escent Phuket begins, laying the foundation for a residential district around the mall.

2019
Openings of Central Patong and Porto de Phuket.

2019-2020
Central invests $200 million in Grab and takes Central Retail public in Thailand’s largest IPO to date.

2021
The residential cluster expands with Phyll Phuket.

2022-2023
New Robinson locations open in Thalang and Chalong, with the latter integrated with Thai Watsadu.

2022
Central acquires the UK-based Selfridges Group, including the iconic Selfridges London.

2023
Launch of GO Wholesale, including expansion to Phuket.

2025
Central Pattana unveils the Central Park project on the site of the former Dusit Thani Bangkok.

2026
The luxury zone at Central Floresta doubles in size, with a broader expansion of Central Phuket announced for 2027-2028.