Mr. Tos Chirathivat, Executive Chairman and CEO of Central Group, has announced the appointment of Ms. Wallaya Chirathivat as President of Central Group — a move that enhances the Group’s senior leadership team and positions the organization to seize future growth opportunities.
The appointment marks a significant milestone for Central Group in 2026, coming at a time when the global business landscape is shifting amid heightened uncertainty and the Group is entering the next chapter of its sustainable growth journey. As the Group’s businesses continue to grow in scale and diversity, both in Thailand and internationally, building leadership capacity and deepening organizational capability have never mattered more.
Mr. Tos Chirathivat, Executive Chairman and CEO of Central Group, said:
“Over the past 79 years, Central Group has grown and evolved continuously — from its roots as a Thai department store to a global business group that today spans 18 countries across Asia and Europe. What has carried us this far isn’t just the growth of our businesses, but our commitment to growing our organization and our people together.
The business world is changing fast. Technology and AI are opening up new opportunities, while consumer behavior and expectations are shifting just as quickly. It’s essential that we keep developing as an organization, stay alert to where the opportunities lie, and make the most of our strengths — so that Central Group can grow and compete successfully over the long term.
Ms. Wallaya has been with the Group for more than 40 years. She brings a deep understanding of our businesses, extensive experience leading large organizations, and a consistent track record of success. I’m confident that, as President, she will be another driving force within our leadership team — fostering collaboration both within the Group and beyond it, building on our diverse expertise, and helping lead Central Group confidently into the future.”
As President of Central Group, Ms. Wallaya Chirathivat will draw on her experience and expertise to support key Group-wide priorities, help the organization build on its existing strengths, and connect capabilities across its businesses. She will also represent Central Group in engagements with government agencies, private-sector organizations, investors, partners, and international networks, and take on other key responsibilities assigned to her by Mr. Tos Chirathivat, Executive Chairman and CEO.
Across more than 40 years with Central Group, Ms. Wallaya has played an instrumental role in the organization’s continuous development — with experience spanning retail, real estate, and corporate management, from helping advance Thailand’s modern retail sector to leading Central Pattana into becoming the country’s foremost developer of shopping centers and mixed-use projects.
Among her most significant achievements was leading Central Pattana’s expansion from 10 to 45 projects. In 2025, the company also delivered record-breaking financial results, with revenue of THB 53 billion and profit exceeding THB 19 billion.
Her achievements have garnered international recognition, including Fortune’s Most Powerful Women Asia in 2024 and 2025, and the CEO of the Year award at the Retail Asia Awards 2024, making her the first Thai executive to receive the honor. These accolades reflect her ability to drive strong organizational growth while creating shared value for a broad range of stakeholders.
Ms. Wallaya Chirathivat, President of Central Group, said:
“Throughout my time at Central Group, I’ve watched the organization grow through many chapters. But one thing has never changed: our belief in doing business in a way that lets people and society grow alongside us.
Today, Central Group’s strength comes from the diverse expertise across its businesses. The key for our next step is to build on these capabilities and create more opportunities together — delivering value to our customers, suppliers, employees, partners, and stakeholders across every sector, guided by our purpose: Central of Life — the center of life.
Above all, I hope Central Group will be recognized not just for its scale or business success, but for its role in driving economic development, improving people’s quality of life, and bringing pride to Thailand on the world stage.”
Ms. Wallaya Chirathivat joins Central Group’s Top Management team under the leadership of Mr. Tos Chirathivat, Executive Chairman and CEO. The senior leadership team also includes Mr. Prin Chirathivat, Executive Vice Chairman; Mr. Pichai Chirathivat, Executive Director; and Mr. Pandit Mongkolkul, CFO.
Earlier in 2026, Central Group also appointed a new Board of Directors, chaired by Professor Emeritus Dr. Suthiphand Chirathivat. Made up of distinguished directors with experience across a wide range of business sectors, the Board brings broader perspective and further strengthens the Group’s governance standards. In April 2026, Central Group established a new Executive Committee, chaired by Mr. Tos Chirathivat and made up of executives from across the organization’s functions, to help guide key Group-wide priorities and strengthen the organization’s readiness to pursue long-term growth.
This continued strengthening of Central Group’s senior leadership team, Board of Directors, and Executive Committee marks another important step in advancing the Group’s businesses in Thailand and internationally under a shared vision and common goals. It will also help enhance the competitiveness of the Thai economy and drive growth that creates lasting value for society and the Thai people — affirming the strength of a Thai organization ready to achieve greater success and bring pride to the global stage.
