Central Group


Central Group is a Thai multinational conglomerate founded by Tiang and Samrit Chirathivat in 1947, and still privately owned by the Chirathivat family as of 2025. Its publicly traded subsidiaries include Central Retail, Central Pattana, and Central Plaza Hotel. Its privately held subsidiaries operate several European department stores, including those acquired from the former KaDeWe Group and Selfridges Group, and financial services.

History

Founder Tiang emigrated from Hainan Island to Bangkok in 1925. He set up his first shop in the Thon Buri district on the outskirts of Bangkok across the Chao Phraya River from the city center. He moved across the Chao Phraya River to a location near the grand Oriental Hotel, where he opened a store with his eldest son, Samrit, in 1947. In 1956, the family opened Central Department Store, the biggest department store in Thailand at that time, in Wang Burapa district, Phra Nakhon, Bangkok. The company's property development arm, Central Pattana, was founded in 1980, and opened its first shopping centre, CentralPlaza Ladprao in Chatuchak District, Bangkok, in 1983. Besides expansion through physical presence in the Bangkok retail space, Central Group has in recent years built an online presence among ASEAN e-tailers and a strong presence of luxury department store collection in Europe.

Public subsidiaries

Central Retail

Central Pattana

CityNameYear
opened		Gross floor area
AyutthayaCentral Ayutthaya2021
BangkokCentral Bangna2001
BangkokCentral EastVille2015
BangkokCentral Embassy2014
BangkokCentral Ladprao1982
BangkokCentral Park2025
BangkokCentral Pinklao1995
BangkokCentral Rama 22002
BangkokCentral Rama 31997
BangkokCentral Rama 92011
BangkokCentral Ramindra1993
BangkokCentralWorld2002
BangkokMarche Thonglor2023
BangkokThe Esplanade Ratchada2021
Bangkok2026
ChanthaburiCentral Chanthaburi2022
Chiang MaiCentral Chiangmai Airport1996
Chiang MaiCentral Chiangmai2013
Chiang RaiCentral Chiangrai2011
ChonburiCentral Chonburi2009
ChonburiCentral Si Racha2021
Khon KaenCentral Khonkaen2009
Khon KaenCentral Khonkaen Campus2026
Ko SamuiCentral Samui2014
KrabiCentral Krabi2025
LampangCentral Lampang2012
Nakhon PathomCentral Nakhon Pathom2024
Nakhon PathomCentral Salaya2014
Nakhon Ratchasima2017
Nakhon SawanCentral Nakhon Sawan2024
Nakhon Si ThammaratCentral Nakhon Si2016
NonthaburiCentral Chaengwattana2008
NonthaburiCentral NorthVille2003
NonthaburiCentral WestGate2015
Nonthaburi2023
PattayaCemtral Marina Outlet1995
PattayaCentral Pattaya2009
PhitsanulokCentral Phitsanulok2011
PhuketCentral Phuket2018
RayongCentral Rayong2015
Samut Prakan2019
Samut Prakan2021
Samut SakhonCentral Mahachai2017
Shah Alam, MalaysiaCentral i-City2019
SongkhlaCentral Hatyai2013
Surat ThaniCentral Suratthani2012
Ubon RatchathaniCentral Ubon2013
Udon ThaniCentral Udon2009

Central Plaza Hotel

Central Group owns and manages visitor accommodation at all major Thai tourist destinations and around the world under own banners as well as international brands. Hotels cover every segment from luxury to economy. Central’s own brands comprise Centara Reserve, Centara Grand, Centara Boutique Collection, Centara, Centra by Centara and Cosi, while internationally branded hotels include Park Hyatt Bangkok and Hilton Pattaya. In the Maldives, Centara Grand is opening its fourth location on February 1, 2025. In Japan, Central Group is a co-investor in StayFactory Hotel Group, whose brands include Hotel Hillarys, Hotel Relief, and Hotel Stork. In Switzerland, Central Group has also comprised Central Hotel Zurich company and Globus supermarket.
Central Group has also pioneered restaurant chains in Thailand, and operates well-known local, regional, and international food brands such as Mister Donut, KFC, Auntie Anne’s, Pepper Lunch, Chabuton, The Terrace, Yoshinoya, Ootoya, Tenya, Katsuya and Fezt.

Private subsidiaries

European luxury stores

Financial services

One of Central Group's aspirations towards the New Central New Economy strategy is to create convenience for both merchants and consumers with financial services and Fintech, with the ultimate goal of a cashless society in Thailand.
  • Credit - The1 credit card, sales finance, personal loans
  • Payment - gift cards, e-payments, e-wallets
  • Insurance brokerage - motor, health, personal accident, property & casualty, group life