Wichai Thongtang: Thai Lawyer, Investor and Business Leader

Last Updated on August 6, 2026 by Fame Katha Editorial Team

Introduction

Wichai Thongtang is a Thai lawyer, investor and company chairman. He is best known for investing in private hospitals and helping combine the Phyathai and Paolo hospital businesses with Bangkok Dusit Medical Services, commonly known as BDMS.

He started his professional journey as a lawyer. His legal work helped him understand business deals, company finance, property and investment opportunities. He later used this experience to build a large business portfolio.

As of August 2026, Wichai Thongtang is chairman of Grande Asset Hotels and Property. He is also chairman of Royal Orchid Hotel (Thailand).

A large part of his publicly reported wealth is connected to his minority investment in BDMS, one of Thailand’s major private healthcare groups.

Wichai Thongtang Quick Facts

Detail	Information
Full name	Wichai Thongtang
Thai name	วิชัย ทองแตง
Nationality	Thai
Profession	Lawyer, investor and business chairman
Education	Law and political science degrees
University	Thammasat University
Known for	Healthcare, hospital and property investments
Major associated company	Bangkok Dusit Medical Services
Current position	Chairman of Grande Asset Hotels and Property
Other current role	Chairman of Royal Orchid Hotel (Thailand)
Main business areas	Healthcare, hotels, property and investments

Education and Professional Training

Wichai Thongtang studied at Thammasat University, one of Thailand’s well-known universities.

He completed a bachelor’s degree in law. He later earned a master’s degree in political science from the same university.

His education gave him knowledge of law, government, negotiations and business systems. These skills later became important when he started making investments and restructuring companies.

He also completed several company-director training programmes through the Thai Institute of Directors. These courses covered finance, audit committees, corporate leadership and the responsibilities of directors.

Beginning of His Legal Career

Wichai began working as a lawyer after completing his legal education.

His early work included corporate law, property matters, negotiations and business disputes. He represented companies and gained experience in understanding contracts, assets, company structures and financial agreements.

Some clients reportedly paid their legal fees with property instead of money. Wichai kept some of these assets and sold others. This helped him enter the property business and build an early investment portfolio.

His legal background was important because it allowed him to understand complicated deals that many ordinary investors may have found difficult.

Work as a High-Profile Lawyer

Wichai became publicly known for working on major legal cases in Thailand.

One of his most recognised legal roles was representing former Thai prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra in an asset-disclosure case in 2001.

The case received wide public and media attention. Thailand’s Constitutional Court later cleared Thaksin by a narrow decision.

Although Wichai later became more widely known as an investor, his work as a lawyer remained an important part of his professional identity.

Move from Law into Business

Wichai did not leave the knowledge gained from his legal career behind. Instead, he used it to study companies, property and investment opportunities.

He became interested in businesses that had useful assets but were facing financial problems. His strategy often involved buying a meaningful interest, restructuring debt, changing management and helping the company return to stable operations.

This approach became especially important after the 1997 Asian financial crisis, when many Thai companies experienced serious financial difficulties.

Entry into the Healthcare Industry

Healthcare became the most important part of Wichai Thongtang’s business career.

After the Asian financial crisis, he began investing in private hospitals that were experiencing financial pressure.

One of his early healthcare investments was Sikarin Hospital. He acquired a major interest in the hospital and became involved in improving its management and financial position.

The hospital later returned to profitability. Wichai eventually sold his interest and used part of the money for other healthcare investments.

This experience showed that troubled hospitals could become valuable businesses when they had good locations, medical facilities and experienced staff.

Phyathai and Paolo Hospital Investments

Wichai later became involved with the Phyathai and Paolo hospital groups.

He invested in companies connected with these hospitals and gradually gained greater control over their operations. The businesses included several hospitals serving patients in Bangkok and other areas.

The hospital groups had valuable medical facilities but also faced financial and management challenges.

Wichai worked on debt restructuring, ownership changes and business improvement. His growing control over these hospital assets made him an important figure in Thailand’s private healthcare industry.

Major Deal with Bangkok Dusit Medical Services

The biggest event in Wichai Thongtang’s healthcare career was the agreement involving Bangkok Dusit Medical Services.

In December 2010, BDMS approved a major transaction to receive the business of Health Network Public Company Limited. Health Network was mainly controlled by Wichai and his family.

The transaction included interests in the Phyathai and Paolo hospital groups.

The total value of the deal was set at no more than approximately 9.83 billion Thai baht. Payment included newly issued BDMS shares, cash and the transfer of certain debts.

The deal was completed in 2011.

Before the transaction, BDMS operated 19 hospitals. After adding the Phyathai and Paolo businesses, its network increased to 27 hospitals.

The total number of hospital beds also increased from 3,193 to 4,987.

Wichai received BDMS shares through the transaction. His minority interest in the healthcare group later became one of the main publicly reported sources of his wealth.

Does Wichai Thongtang Own BDMS?

Wichai Thongtang does not own Bangkok Dusit Medical Services by himself.

He is publicly reported to hold a minority interest in the company. A minority shareholder owns part of a business but does not personally control the entire company.

The exact percentage connected with Wichai has changed over time. Therefore, older ownership figures from the 2011 hospital transaction should not automatically be treated as his current shareholding.

BDMS operates a large network of hospitals and healthcare businesses. It includes well-known brands such as Bangkok Hospital, Phyathai Hospital, Paolo Hospital, Samitivej Hospital and BNH Hospital.

Grande Asset Hotels and Property

Wichai also became an important figure in Thailand’s hotel and property industry.

He joined Grande Asset Hotels and Property as a director in 2010. He later served as chairman of its executive board before becoming chairman of the board of directors.

As of August 2026, he remains chairman and an independent director of the company.

Grande Asset develops property and operates hotel-related businesses in Thailand. Its activities include luxury hotels, residential developments and other real-estate projects.

His leadership role at Grande Asset shows that his business career is not limited to healthcare.

Royal Orchid Hotel Thailand

Wichai is also chairman of Royal Orchid Hotel (Thailand).

The company operates in the hotel, food and beverage industries. Its main hotel property is operated with the support of an international hotel-management group.

He joined the Royal Orchid Hotel board in 2018 and later served as chairman.

His positions at Grande Asset and Royal Orchid Hotel connect him with Thailand’s tourism, hospitality and property sectors.

Other Business Investments

Wichai Thongtang has invested in several other companies.

His publicly reported portfolio has included businesses connected with:

• Medical equipment and supplies
• Mobile phones and communication products
• Television and media
• Property development
• Hotels
• Private healthcare

One of his recognised investments is E For L Aim, a Thai company involved in medical equipment and related services.

A Stock Exchange of Thailand company snapshot published in 2026 listed him as the company’s largest named shareholder, with a 15.92% interest.

His portfolio has also included TWZ, a company connected with mobile phones and communication products.

Cable Thai Holding and CTH

Not every Wichai Thongtang investment became successful.

He entered Thailand’s subscription-television industry through Cable Thai Holding, commonly known as CTH.

The company gained attention after obtaining the rights to show English Premier League football in Thailand for several seasons.

However, the cost of broadcasting rights, competition and business losses created serious financial problems.

CTH ended its services in September 2016.

The closure became one of the most widely reported business difficulties connected with Wichai. It also showed that even experienced investors can face losses when entering a highly competitive industry.

Wichai Thongtang’s Net Worth

Financial publications regularly include Wichai Thongtang among Thailand’s wealthiest business figures.

Forbes estimated his wealth at approximately US$2.2 billion on 8 July 2026.

This number is an estimate and not an official personal financial statement. The value can rise or fall because much of his wealth is connected with company shares and investments.

His minority interest in BDMS is reported to be one of the biggest sources of his wealth.

He has also gained value from healthcare, property, hotel, medical-equipment and communication investments.

How Did Wichai Thongtang Make His Money?

Wichai Thongtang made his money through several stages.

First, he built a career as a corporate lawyer. His work helped him understand contracts, property, negotiations and company finance.

Second, he entered property investment. Some properties were connected with payments he received for legal work.

Third, he invested in hospitals that were facing financial problems. He helped restructure these businesses and improve their operations.

Fourth, he combined valuable hospital assets and completed a major transaction with BDMS.

Finally, he continued investing in hotels, property, medical equipment, communication companies and other businesses.

His wealth did not come from one simple salary. It developed through ownership, company shares, property and long-term investments.

Business Strategy

Wichai’s career shows a clear investment method.

He often looked for companies that had strong assets but weak finances. Instead of only buying businesses that were already performing well, he studied troubled companies that could improve after restructuring.

His legal knowledge helped him understand debt agreements, ownership rights and complicated business negotiations.

This combination of law and investment became one of the most important reasons for his business growth.

Influence on Thailand’s Healthcare Industry

Wichai played an important role in bringing the Phyathai and Paolo hospital groups into the wider BDMS network.

The deal helped BDMS expand its number of hospitals, beds, doctors, staff and areas of operation.

His hospital investments also showed how financially troubled healthcare companies could be restructured instead of permanently closed.

Wichai is not a doctor, but his financial and legal decisions influenced the development of private healthcare businesses in Thailand.

Readers interested in similar stories can explore more profiles of entrepreneurs and business leaders on FameKatha.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who is Wichai Thongtang?

Wichai Thongtang is a Thai lawyer, investor and company chairman known for his healthcare, hotel and property investments.

Why is Wichai Thongtang famous?

He is famous for building hospital investments and combining the Phyathai and Paolo hospital businesses with Bangkok Dusit Medical Services.

Is Wichai Thongtang a lawyer?

Yes. He studied law at Thammasat University and began his professional career as a lawyer.

What companies is Wichai Thongtang connected with?

He is connected with Grande Asset Hotels and Property, Royal Orchid Hotel, BDMS, E For L Aim and other investments.

Is Wichai Thongtang the owner of BDMS?

No. He is publicly reported to hold a minority interest in BDMS, but he does not own the entire company.

What is Wichai Thongtang’s net worth?

Forbes estimated his wealth at about US$2.2 billion as of 8 July 2026. This is an estimate that can change with market values.

Where did Wichai Thongtang study?

He studied law and political science at Thammasat University in Thailand.

What is Wichai Thongtang’s current position?

As of August 2026, he is chairman of Grande Asset Hotels and Property and chairman of Royal Orchid Hotel (Thailand).

Conclusion

Wichai Thongtang is a Thai lawyer who used his legal knowledge to build a major investment career.

His most important business achievement came from restructuring private hospitals and combining the Phyathai and Paolo groups with BDMS. This transaction expanded the BDMS hospital network and gave him a valuable minority interest in the company.

He later continued his work in property, hotels, medical equipment and communication businesses.

His career includes both major successes and difficult investments. However, his move from corporate law into healthcare investment remains the central story behind his public recognition and business wealth.